How many rpms does your FRS idle at ?

[dssence]

Originally Posted by chrisl

Wait - are you starting the car and letting it idle until it warms up before you drive it?

Yes I always do that , and have done my all my cars. Never go out in cold.

[jvincent]

That's going to really kill your mileage.

I live in Canada, so it's as cold as you're going to see. I start my car, buckle my seatbelt, adjust the radio volume, and drive. Waiting for the car to "warm up" on the idle is one of the worst things you can do.

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[dssence]

Originally Posted by jvincent

That's going to really kill your mileage.

I live in Canada, so it's as cold as you're going to see. I start my car, buckle my seatbelt, adjust the radio volume, and drive. Waiting for the car to "warm up" on the idle is one of the worst things you can do.

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Damn really , I've always been taught this from generations going back from my dad and grandpa to never go out with the car in cold. You sure about tis?

[jvincent]

100% sure. Of course don't drive it hard until the engine/oil is fully warmed up.

And to set the context for cold, I am talking about temps in the -30C range when the engine starts.

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[stugray]

Originally Posted by dssence

But having an old car like a 1979 celica liftback being more efficient than this car it quite not acceptable for me

You DO realize that the Ford Model T got almost 20 MPG over 100 years ago right?
It is the emissions requirements that keep getting more & more strict that makes mileage go down year after year.

A cheap ELM327 bluetooth adapter can be purchased for $10 on ebay.
The torque app is free or $6 for the pro version.
Works fine for me.

[chrisl]

Yep. How cold are we talking, out of curiosity? If it's warmer than about -10F or so (-25C or so), I'll start my car right up, get in, and drive (though it's good to really baby it for the first mile or so, and then drive gently until the temp gauge is in the middle). If it's below -10F/-25C, I'll let it idle for a minute or two to get the fluids flowing, then get in and drive it (again, gently until the temp gauge is fully to the middle). I've followed this procedure with my Outback all the way down to about -30F (-35C) or so, and it has worked just fine for me for over 125k miles so far with minimal maintenance. Just letting it idle until it is fully warmed up is probably a large part of what is killing your mileage, especially since I bet it takes quite a bit longer (and more fuel) to warm up than your old Celica.

[ntron1]

Originally Posted by chrisl

Wait - are you starting the car and letting it idle until it warms up before you drive it?

It is summer in Argentina. 75F today in Buenos Aires. Looks like the problem has been found and solved.

[thebus]

No one asked about the octane of gas..better be 93 or higher(USA) granted i know CA has 91 the octane also varies gas mileage..biggest thing I read was the idle time warm up its nothing like your 79'; turn it on wait for the idle drop or a good 30sec and go off just no hard pulls until engine is fully warmed up good luck! By the way mine idles at 600 which I feel is completely to low as it dips below 500 when the light or blower go off I know of the tsb

[cycleboy]

I was getting close to 31mpg in mine, on Ca. 91. Shifting mostly at ~4K and driving 60 miles a day at 70mph + 2-5 miles at 35-45mph w/ stoplights.

I went to the OFT and shifting a bit higher sometimes, closer to 5K on average, and I'm now getting a tick over 28mpg.

I always start it and wait for the high idle to drop before taking off. I don't let the water temp get up to normal as that'd take 15min or more.