nycqns

Ever since I bought my ES330 a year ago I’ve noticed that I’ve been getting 11-15 MPG city/highway (Mostly city). I don’t know what the cause is, but before I go to a mechanic what are things I should look for? It has 137,000 miles on it.

LeX2K

Well these cars are not known for their efficiency but that's a bit low you should be getting at least 17mpg. Unless you drive 2 miles each trip. A basic tune up may be in order, plugs, air filter, check for dragging brakes. A scan tool will quickly show if the engine is not running properly.

I assume no CEL?

HomerJay

Driving style is also a big factor, aggressive driving adversely impacts fuel economy. Plus the traffic in Queens can be brutal! Also, how are you calculating MPG?

Steelfan

What tire pressure are you running? Check all the things Lexus2000 noted. Is the engine running rough at all? Does the CEL come on when you put the key in to first start it and then go off? Could be a burned out bulb if not. Put a scanner on it just to verify it isn't pulling any codes.

zeez88

These cars have a very funny way of calculating avg MPG. My advice would be to reset the avg mpg and do a bit of city driving for a few miles then see what it gives you. Moreover many factors can come into play. Like your driving style etc. I know i got a slight increase in my mpg when i greased my caliper sliding pins. Moreover if you're stuck in traffic your mpg will go down the drain.

AmanES300

Expect about 15mpg on any naturally aspirated I4/V6 in queens traffic. My ES300 is getting about that. My dad’s Nissan Rogue gets about 16mpg. NYC traffic is tough.

Oro

Wheel bearings (if a bad one) and sticking brake caliper pins will suck several MPG each off average. Check them (jack axles and spin wheels, feel struts at the same time. Feel hubs for excess heat after parking from city driving, etc.).

I put 1000 miles on the car last week and average 27.3 mpg, 2 adults, 1 child, 1 dog, trunk crammed full of gear and giant cooler. 60-80 mpgs and a lot of mountain driving (up/down/through many mountain ranges in Idaho and Montana). 87 Octane (2 of 3 tanks). Car has 310k miles on it, so I couldn't have done better IMO (car is very well maintained). The serious "up" mountain tank was done at 75-80 mph, with E0, 92 octane. Same MPG as running 60/65mph on flat lands. There is mileage to be gained with Octane rating; I switch around a bit depending on highway vs. hard use, relative cost, etc.

I used to live in NYC (not this car; thirsty Audi V8 then) and my city MPGs were not as bad as yours. Something is off w/your car. This 2002 ES300 would do 11mpg only with a real problem somewhere.

AmanES300

what part of NYC did you do most of your driving in?

That makes a big difference. Stopping every 30 seconds or so where the car barely has enough room/time to get to 25 vs. stopping every few minutes where you can coast a majority of the distance.

AZLexicon

I average 19-21mpg around town with a mixture of freeway and surface streets.

Oro

I lived in lower Manhattan. I usually would never use it in rush hour or even daily (I did not commute w/it), so probably never as harsh conditions as you are seeing. If you are saying it's basically idling most of the time, then the MPGs could really approach like 1 even if it's in good tune!!!

nycqns

I drive moderate, not too fast not too slow. I don’t drive too much, I say about 7 miles or less a day. I calculated mpg by subtracting my total mileage from start to finish and dividing it by the number of gallons it used. I filled it up to full tank and finished at half. The mpg I got was similar to the mpg on the dash I don’t remember because the last one I did was months ago. But I guess a basic tune up should be necessary since I just got the 140,000 mark.

Richardsr

You can do a “Poor Man’s Tuneup” for less than $50 and you will see a difference.
1. Remove and clean your MAF and connectors with some Electronics Cleaner spray.
2. Change your Air Filter.*
3. Clean your Throttle Body with Electronics Cleaner and a toothbrush.
4. Change your PCV valve.*
5. Put half a can of Sea Foam in a full tank of gas.
6. Change out your Gas Cap.*
7. And when this is all done, remove the Negative cable from your battery for about ten or so minutes to reset the ECU.

* Use Genuine Denso part.

TomsCelica

When you park the car after driving it, feel all of the wheels for a temperature difference. A seized caliper will cause excessive friction and heat up the brake assembly/wheel and you'll be able to tell that wheel apart from the other three, especially in the cold weather.

daredeil95

I live in CT and there is a difference from summer to winter mix in gas....not sure what it is but, I definitely get better mileage during the summer. I went to south Jersey about a week ago, filled my my ES330 in CT and used a half of tank of gas to get there and I again filled the tank in South Jersey and barely used a quater tank of gas to get home so, there is a difference in gas. I think the gas is loaded with more then 10% ethanol in CT. The more ethanol the worse the mpg is. I know from my experience, Mobile, Pilot and Shell seem to get less mpg as to Gulf and Cumberland Farms that I get my usual mpg and I don't even bother going to the no name gas stations with super cheap gas that has pinged my motors way back in the past.