1990 toyota camry fuel economy

My Exploder averages 13.6mi/gal, but at 60 MPH on flat with 3.73 gears and AWD, I get about 26 MPG instant MPG. When my brother borrowed my Exploder to go down to Redding, CA to get his grandson, I checked the trip computer when he got back, and the average had only gone to 16.3mi/gal on a straight shot down, rest, and straight back up.

 

Im gonna try this later in the week when i need to fill up so i can fill you in on what happens when i do the test.

 

Sounds good. You should verify your oil and coolant levels, inflate your tires to at least 30-32 PSI each ( but all the same pressure), and verify your air filter is not filthy grey to black. In fact, if you haven't changed it in the last 24K miles, do so.

 

Ive done all of the above but im not sure about the filter so il look into that when i get a chance

 

So i did the highway test and scored a highway mpg of 18.9 mpg.

 

Better, but you still have a little way to go. Check fuel pressure, both running and full static, and replace the fuel filter if it hasn't been done in the last year. Run Chevron Techron cleaner through a near-full tank of gas. Do an upper plenum and throttle body cleaning. Ensure the EGR valve works and the EGR passage is clear. Do those, then try again. If you don't pick.up at least 2 MPG, you have mechanical problems somewhere.

 

If the fuel pump is marginal to bad, replace it immediately.

 

So i had someone check all of that and they said that with the exception of the fuel pump it looks pretty good so i plan on replacing that when i get paid as well as the fuel filter while im at it. In retrospect i should have asked for the pressure levels but if its not perfect then its not good enough.

 

Fuel pumps in EFI cars only have a small margin (8-10 psi) of operating pressure difference, with minimum pressure to be about 30-35 psi or so, and deadhead pressure (where the fuel return line is clamped closed for a couple seconds) should be at least double operating pressure. Anything below that affects MPG.

 

That's why I liked my Model T and Model A. Just right fuel pressure........................ unless I was going up a steep hill.

 

Even If the tank was full?

 

So i went to auto zone to look for pumps and walked out with new head lights, wipers, O2 sensor, a oil filter, oil, and forgot the pump.so i have to go back and get that. I hate being forgetful

 

None of us ever do that !

 

Mesmerized by all the bejeweled baubles, eh?

 

You'd be wise to shop around for that fuel pump. AZ has a Delphi fuel pump listed for your car for $124. That same fuel pump on rockauto is $87. I find that AZ is rarely competitive anymore with Advance, RockAuto, or Amazon. RockAuto and Amazon are usually lower priced. At Advance you have to take advantage of their discount codes to get a decent price most of the time.