You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
HighlanderGeneral discussion forum for the Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid.
This is a discussion thread titled "Low Gas Mileage 2006 Highlander", within the Highlander forum, part of the SUV Forums category.
I have a 2006 Highlander 6 cyl AWD, with 4812 miles. I have only used 93 octane gas. I only get 12 miles to the gallon. (some street driving some highway) I work midnites so I don't sit in traffic. The tires are properly inflated and I rarely use th A/C or defroster. Dealer suggested I use 91 gas (as the manual states) My 2002 Highlander 6 cyl FWD with 37k miles using 93 octane gasoline gets 20 mpg easily. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
are you starting it and letting it sit to warm up? if so,
your mpg is going to drop.
if the "check engine" light is not on, then it is your
driving habits.
i would suggest using the octane recommended in your manual.
there is no benefit to using too high of an octane if your engine
is not spark knocking.
yspert
I have a 2006 Highlander 6 cyl AWD, with 4812 miles. I have only used 93 octane gas. I only get 12 miles to the gallon.
First get the oil change done, if you haven't done it yet.
I have been grumbling on this forum that my new 2006 V6 AWD gives me 18-20MPG combined. 12 MPG is absolutely unacceptable, have the dealer look at it, something doesn't sound right.
First get the oil change done, if you haven't done it yet.
I have been grumbling on this forum that my new 2006 V6 AWD gives me 18-20MPG combined. 12 MPG is absolutely unacceptable, have the dealer look at it, something doesn't sound right.
Your older 3.0 v6 FWD and my moms 2004 FWD 3.3 v6 and my 2001 Avalon 3.0 v6 (31 MPG) get better MPG than my 2006 3.3 v6 AWD. I have 5200 miles . I do notice better MPG with the 93 Octane. I too get 11.9 MPG according to my "Trip Info" display. I also find Premium fule bumps my MPG up slightly to an additional 1-2 MPG. But I find that Regular fuel gives the same performance...just less MPG. The H/L non Hybrid manual states that regular octane is acceptabl, whereas in the Hybrid versions the manual states Premium Only.
Also, for 2006 and above Toyota reccomends 5W20 oil now(very thin oil), to increase MPG some more! It will help the Federal CAFE law reqs.
But I'm still using my Synt. Mobil 1 5W30.
I installed a Scan Gage 2 and I am clocking similar results to the O/E Trip display.
I am puzzled too.
I beleive the AWD contributes to the Low MPG for sure. I'm in Queens, NYC and I do have similar driving habits as yourself.
With my Scan Gage 2, I can reset MPG say when I'm on the parkway and If I mantain a steady foot ,I can get 26 MPG at say 55-62 MPH. But as soon as I drive local streets, MPG drops like hell.
I feel it can be the poor/ inneficient shift points of the 5 speed possibly. Because i find the local MPG so drastically low compared to the Highway MPG results when the tranny is locked into 5th speed Overdrive.
FYI, the H/L IS a HEAVY SUV in my opinion. So, stop and go driving with this AWD will suffer with MPG.
Toyota never address MPG issues. No manufacterer does. It doesn't meet warranty criteria... sadly enough.
FYI I use Mobil 1 synthetic and K&N oil Filter with a K&N Air filter as well.
Warm up idling does lower the O/E trip display drastically and only gives yu a Tank by Tank overall MPG number. Not an actual current TRIP MPG reading.
That's why I put in the Scan Gage 2 to give me more control of my Trip info. Plus it gives on the fly OBDII info, I.E engine temp ,RPM Intake air temps. and all the OBDII info while driving. and can monitor any codes that arise while driving with the parameters as it occurred.
I do notice better MPG with the 93 Octane. I too get 11.9 MPG according to my "Trip Info" display.
I am puzzled too.
Toyota never address MPG issues. No manufacterer does. It doesn't meet warranty criteria... sadly enough.
LT
WTF are u taking about. We have spent in excess of $30K and the last thing I want to hear is the vehicle has bad shift points, it is imperative the vehicle gets to higher gears faster and keeps locked in it. Drop of the car at the dealership and have them diagnose the problem, period.
A dumbass V8 may give better MPG than what you guys are quoting and settling with. Toyota for all its greatness should be ready to address these problems, if they truely believe it is a random incident. Why drive a whinny motor, poor acceleration and dumbass tuned tranny?
But I knew that before I purchased, and took many months to make my decision to buy one. I knew about all it's nuances. (pros and cons)
I checked out the Hybrid H/L too and was dumbfounded by the poor MPG./higher price tag.
So the Non hybrid was my choice.
Have yu compared the H/L TO OTHER SUV's IN THIS CLASS. They are much worser re. MPG
The H/L leads in MPG overall.
My decision to buy was a well calculated, trade-off. It's not perfect.
I feel that my shift points need a flash/recalibration. No TSB exists for this on the late 2006's. Apparently it was up to date at production in Kyushu, Japan? I doubt it though. But, that's what most dealers say at least and TMS as well!
Question: Do yu notice irregular/delayed shifting more so when engine is cold?????
I do! Some owners have switched to synthetic Trans fluid( Complete flush) and believe the shift points improved especially when cold. But, no synthetic Trans fluid meets Toyotas T-2 spec. So I'm holding off on this.
Have yu disconnected the battery to reset the ECM. Sometimes this ECM will recalibrate to your driving habits for the better. According to TMS USA. And some dealers. But I don't see much about this in the Factory Service manual!! I did this and saw some improvement initially.
I am in contact with TMS Cali. and have expressed my disdain and all they want is a better description of the Tranny problem.
First, I am not happy with my highlander, period specially the MPG (I am running the front tires on 38psi and rears on 36psi).
Synthetics are good but then there is only Amsoil that has done extensive testing on T-IV (LifeTech, you said T-II, pl. recheck I don't see such a requirement in the owner's manual). I sit on BITOG and have heard MV blend ATFs like Pennzoil MV ATF have smothened out the transmission.
Regular flushes would hughelp help and I am seriously debating moving to Amsoil in warranty, I better make the decision soon because idi.ots in ExxonMobil thinks GrpIII is good enough and PAO based fluids (GrpIV) is not needed, so Amsoil too has been interested in GrpIII lately. Irrespective of that Amsoil is the only company that has extensively tested AW transmissions which call for T-IV.
My shift points are not impressive, as decribed in many of my threads before. I have reflashed the ECM by disconnecting the fuse, but then it reflashes everything which is not a good idea.
Lastly, I am shocked that you guys are settling with 12MPG. This is the same problem that happened to 2 of my friends, their RX300s are in the garages since they get 14MPG and not worth driving with the CA fuel prices, so decreasing MPG is no new story for Toyota, they must start looking at it sooner or later.
First, I am not happy with my highlander, period specially the MPG (I am running the front tires on 38psi and rears on 36psi).
Synthetics are good but then there is only Amsoil that has done extensive testing on T-IV (LifeTech, you said T-II, pl. recheck I don't see such a requirement in the owner's manual). I sit on BITOG and have heard MV blend ATFs like Pennzoil MV ATF have smothened out the transmission.
Regular flushes would hughelp help and I am seriously debating moving to Amsoil in warranty, I better make the decision soon because idi.ots in ExxonMobil thinks GrpIII is good enough and PAO based fluids (GrpIV) is not needed, so Amsoil too has been interested in GrpIII lately. Irrespective of that Amsoil is the only company that has extensively tested AW transmissions which call for T-IV.
My shift points are not impressive, as decribed in many of my threads before. I have reflashed the ECM by disconnecting the fuse, but then it reflashes everything which is not a good idea.
Lastly, I am shocked that you guys are settling with 12MPG. This is the same problem that happened to 2 of my friends, their RX300s are in the garages since they get 14MPG and not worth driving with the CA fuel prices, so decreasing MPG is no new story for Toyota, they must start looking at it sooner or later.
I stand corrected...should be referring to T-IV....
I can see your ferver on this major issue. Yu have exhausted all avenues, much like myself.
Maybe we can pool our resources to solve this with TMS.
Much of this talk may violate posting rules here at Tundra solutions...
The Feds for 2008 have recalculated the way MPG estimates are assessed for new cars. adding much to the confusion, they are curving down the MPG ratings for real world driving. But it shows that other people are watching these low/poor MPG results.
Toyota does not consider this MPG issue a warranty item.
My 2wd 2004 V6 Limited gets 20 city/25 Hway MPG. The key thing I found If you are a lead foot in the city it kills the MPG quick. I i drive it hard in the city I get 15 MPG.
My 2wd 2004 V6 Limited gets 20 city/25 Hway MPG. The key thing I found If you are a lead foot in the city it kills the MPG quick. I i drive it hard in the city I get 15 MPG.
Common... These engines hare sophisticated EFI, they are supposed to deal with heavy foot to an extend.
Seems like we are comparing apples and oranges when it comes to octane ratings. Run 87 oc and get say 18 MPH combined, or Run 92-93 oc and get maybe 20 MPH. At .30 extra for the higher octane per gallon X 20 gal. tank it costs you $6.00 more to fill up. That would buy at least two extra gallons of 87 octane. If your HL is not knocking, and it shouldn't, you probably don't need the higher octane. Either way, you come out about the same.
Let me just state I have an '03' AWD with the old 3.0 liter engine. But I would imagine the 3.3 has simular characteristics. I do agree with the argument that a heavy foot in stop and go city driving really brings down milage. I usually assume that I am 'NOT' going to make the next light so I try not to practice the ol' 'gun it and brake hard' philosohhy.
Life's to short and fender benders to expensive!
__________________
My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
After using silver grade gas now exclusively, since my last post, my gas mileage has gone up to Average 18 mpg overall. The only thing that I realize I am doing differently is driving with A/C on using interior circulation (as opposed to constantly cooling outside air). I now have 6300 miles. In July I will get to do some vacation highway driving and will update after that again.
Low Gas Mileage 2006 Highlander
LT
Re: Low Gas Mileage 2006 Highlander
Linear Mode
