impressions of 2006 RAV4 owners?

[Smellfunny2000]

That mileage is horrible. I have not heard of anyone getting that bad MPG. The least maybe 21 with a v6 4x4. I would take it to another dealer and ask them to check it out. Just curious, how are you checking it?

My transmission is smooth. No clunks going into D. It is much smoother than my 05 Tundra's transmission.

[Smellfunny2000]

I was going to tell you about the poll on RAV4 world but you have already posted there.

Originally Posted by implicated

I've gone through 3 full tanks of gas on my 2006 RAV4 LTD 4wd 4cyl and haven't cracked 17 mpg yet. Very disappointed, especially since every comment I read has people doing much better. I'm getting a consistent 16.5mpg.

This is with a 60/40 mix between city/highway. I'm definitely not a lead foot or stop light dragster.

Dealer's giving me the "still breaking engine in come back at 5K miles" line, but I don't buy that. I'd expect to see fluctuation if that were the case, with an improving trend. Service Manager at dealer also said he's had other reports of similar mileage and that my case was not unusual.

Anyone seeing similar mileage performance with their RAV4?

[ejyoder2733]

Just picked up our new RAV tonight, and I have to say I'm impressed. Traded in our 2002, and the difference is dramatic. Of course, some of that is due to the fact that we splurged and got the V6!

One interesting thing I noticed on the way home. The V6 only turns about 2000 rpm at 70mph, compared to almost 3000 on our old 4-banger.

[nublurav]

Implicated:

There is NO WAY you should be getting 16-17 mpg EVEN IF YOU HOTROD the car. I'm kind of a leadfoot when it comes to leaving a stoplight and traditionally drive about 70-75 on the highway and I still get 25-26 MPG on my 06 Limited with the 2.4L 4 cyl.

Your dealer is lying to you. I would consult another Toyota service shop at a different dealership and see what they say. Something is definitely wrong with your ECM to be getting that kind of MPG. I think it needs to be replaced.

[tyme2play1]

I have owned many a Toyota over the years and I could not be more satisfied with the Rav4. Although I was a big fan of the 4Runner for many years, this is much better than the new generation 4Runners.

I told my 2002 Tundra Access Cab V6 because Los Angeles has some of the highest gas prices around. I look forward to actually driving this vehicle as the Tundra became a street parking fixture over the past months.

Former Toyota's

2002 Tundra
1999 4Runner
1997 4Runner
1994 4Runner
1991 4Runner
1989 4Runner
1986 4Runner
1984 SR5 Pickup
1979 Celica

[jogle]

My wife and I purchased a 2006 RAV4 Limited 4x4 about a week ago and have been disappointed in the gas mileage that we have got so far as the posted MPG was part of the reason we made the purchase over a Santa Fe. We've probably driven it 80% of the time on the highway and figure we've got about 19 MPG. Like "Implicated", we do not have a lead foot and have tried to break the vehicle in with some ease as recommended in the owner's manual. Wonder if "Implicated" has had any luck in resolving the problem. Can a bad ECM be the culprit as mentioned by another user? We're going to fill up a couple more times to give it the benifit of doubt but if it doesn't improve I don't know what to do. Any advise out there?

[mwfromva]

Originally Posted by jogle

We've probably driven it 80% of the time on the highway and figure we've got about 19 MPG. Like "Implicated", we do not have a lead foot and have tried to break the vehicle in with some ease as recommended in the owner's manual. Wonder if "Implicated" has had any luck in resolving the problem. Can a bad ECM be the culprit as mentioned by another user? We're going to fill up a couple more times to give it the benifit of doubt but if it doesn't improve I don't know what to do. Any advise out there?

I'm starting a hypothesis here... I'm starting to notice a lot of folks with bad fuel mileage are breaking in their vehicles with "ease".

Just a quick fact, part of breaking in an engine is having the piston rings seat well. If the rings don't seat, you get blow-by, which is basically gasoline blowing by the ring getting into your oil, or vice versa. Either one of those will cause a loss of compression, therefore causing less efficient burn in the cylinder, therefore causing less power and less fuel economy.

Being easy on an engine during break-in will only prolong the break-in process, and may permanently cause your rings to not seat well at all.

Here's a bit of a reference for you to read;

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

So, there's my idea - believe it if you wish, however I must say by NOT being easy on my new cars, I've always had top notch power when compared to similar vehicles and excellent fuel mileage.

[chaslau]

Has anyone tried higher Octane gas (other than 87) to see if there is any difference in milage and drivability?

Just curious

ckl

[DittoDude]

Originally Posted by chaslau

Has anyone tried higher Octane gas (other than 87) to see if there is any difference in milage and drivability?

Just curious

ckl

I've read comments on other forums . . . they said it made no difference.

[flyingn]

ours in city traffic and only driving 3 miles to work and back does same thing.. 16-18 mpg. On the highway we can get 30 mpg.. Done it twice..

[DittoDude]

Just got back from Knoxville, TN.
Got 27 mpg in my 2006 Rav4 - 2WD - 269 hp V6.

Vehicle has 2400 miles on it now.

[tcls]

Good evening to ya'all. I'm new to the forum & do thank all of you for sharing your experiences it definitely helps when looking to buy a new vehicle. Just purchased a Black 2006 base I4 2wd RAV4. First Toyota in the family and with any luck the 1st year car bugs will not be there - since it is a Toyota.

Gas mileage to date after 1.5k miles High of 28mpg, low 26mpg (first tank) driving is 75% to 80% highway, some rush hour, balance stop and go village driving. Total miles per day on average 75, highway speeds average 70 when not in rush hour traffic.

If you haven't read yet look to Canada for side door moldings and bug shields that are full length of hood.

[scorbyz28]

I couldn't help but notice your post about the clunk upon shifting from reverse into drive. I also own a 2006 Rav4 4WD 4cyl and am experiancing increased revs just prior to shifting into drive when the car is cold. Have you found a cause or solution to the problem? If I shift as quick as possible it's not quite as bad, but it's still not right. If I let the car rev for about 10 seconds it finaly comes down an to a normal rev and then I can shift to drive with no issues. If anyone knows of a fix or is having the same issue please post a reply.
Thanks,
Steve.

[flyingn]

make sure you truck is completly stopped and the brake is firmly pressed before shifting into drive. It works for us..

[jaderain]

Yeah, I really think they did a fantastic job on this RAV, just like it better than the Highlander (which is also a great vehicle). Ours still does the "clunk", but only on that first shift. What is interesting is that when you start the car and shift into Reverse, there is no clunk, ONLY when you then shift into Drive the first time. If the car is warm, the shift into Drive is silky smooth. I do keep my foot kept firmly down on the brake for that shift, that mitigates the clunk somewhat. (if I don't keep the brake firmly on, it is a bigger "clunk"!) The bummer is that after years of driving Ford Taurus rent-a-cars and ramming the tranny into Drive and pushing the gas before I've even stopped moving backwards, it is a smooth shift (I can do this on our RAV too, when its warm but obviously don't often!). It is just that FIRST shift into Drive. I mentioned it to the dealer, they said it could have something to do with torque, I'm actually not freaking about it since we have three years to figure it out, in the past , I would have been ready to climb the clocktower if you know what I mean. cheers Jaderain