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Very Poor Gas Mileage RAV4 2018 Unlimited

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scottyat2

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
11 months I have keep perfect fuel records of the Toyota Certified Used 2018 RAV4 Limited. It was delivered on Oct. 26, 2020 with 17,852 miles.
Suppose get Average City 22MPG.
When Toyota indicates "AVERAGE" probably + - 2 MPG maybe plus or minus 3 mpg. So worse case scenario 19mpg. In Reality the RAV4 is getting about 17mpg.
Mainly used to commute to-from work as round trip near 13 miles. 7 traffic lights and 3 stop signs and roads are not congested. What's up Toyota? Why the Poor Gas Mileage?
Refuel DateOdometer ReadingMiles driven since lastGallons
(fuel added)		$Cost$Cost per GallonMPG
(mileage)		$Cost per Mile
10/26/202017852
11/12/202018020168.010.456$20.07$1.91916.1 $ 0.119
12/1/202018187167.010.773$21.00$1.94915.5 $ 0.126
12/23/202018339152.010.532$22.00$2.08914.4 $ 0.145
1/15/202118513174.011.220$25.69$2.28915.5 $ 0.148
2/4/202118682169.011.848$26.63$2.24914.3 $ 0.158
2/24/202118866184.012.207$30.99$2.53915.1 $ 0.168
3/14/202119058192.011.205$30.02$2.67917.1 $ 0.156
4/1/202119236178.010.428$27.00$2.58917.1 $ 0.152
4/24/202119458222.012.592$34.49$2.73917.6 $ 0.155
5/15/202119670212.011.462$33.00$2.87918.5 $ 0.156
6/2/202119870190.010.386$30.01$2.88918.3 $ 0.158
6/12/202120050185.010.368$29.95$2.88917.8 $ 0.162
6/25/202120253203.011.103$33.00$2.97918.3 $ 0.163
7/9/202120453200.011.583$34.51$2.97917.3 $ 0.173
7/20/202120658205.011.755$35.02$2.97917.4 $ 0.171
7/28/202120813155.08.958$26.69$2.97917.3 $ 0.172
8/9/202121016203.011.885$40.99$3.449Prem17.1 $ 0.202
8/26/202121236220.012.805$38.02$2.96917.2 $ 0.173
 
#2 ·
The gen 4.4 is generally not that great for fuel economy but those are piss poor numbers you are getting. I would check for any codes to see if there might be an underlying issue. I recall averaging around 27mpg when I had mine but still is far from what I get now in my equinox on the same drive cycle. About 36 mpg but have seen well over 40mpg if on secondary highways. My typical commute is 36kms one way with a mix about 50/50 city/highway.

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#5 ·
7.5 miles each way with traffic lights and stop signs. Significant stop and go action kills the mpg. I would recommend you go for a nice weekend drive where you can put 100 or more miles on the car with extended periods of 55+ mph driving with minimal stop and go. Check out your average for the trip and if its below 25 mpg maybe you have a problem. My 4.4 xle was consistent at 26-27 mpg in the summer and 25-26 mpg in the winter. I drove 30k miles a year with that car, 50/50 city/highway. I put a 2" lift, 8" aftermarket wheels and aggressive A/T tires
Image
ressive AT tires on the car when it had 150K miles and still averaged 22-23 mpg.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Uncle Rico said:
Out of curiosity, does the multi information display show the same kind of mileage?
Click to expand...
No, the information center computer is garbage, the graph and numbers do not correspond and is inaccurate all the time according to my numbers. Must be Bad Programming or faulty computer in the RAV4. Probably will cost more than $300 to get re-programmed. Toyota vehicles are back to being unreliable. Generation 5 models of RAV4 are crap as have many problems and appearance is UGLY.
Should have purchased a brand new Honda CR-V.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
tomato123 said:
I am getting about same MPG with my 2015 Rav4. MPG get worst in winter when you need to warm up the car.
Click to expand...
Thank you! sorry you have a MPG LEMON like me, yes Winter time most people suffer worse mpg's simply because Oil Refineries add in Methanol or other substance for Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) as needed to increase vapor at lower temperatures for combustion. Idling the car or warming up the car for long periods is a waste of fuel. A car port or garage will help during the winter as less time to clean snow / ice from vehicle. Just be sure the anti-freeze is good and wiper fluid is more than half full. Wiper blades need to be gentle as frost to the windshield and tugging on the wiper can destroy the blade material or rip it. Note: there is nothing special having SofTex (imitation leather) seats, it is cheap and low grade quality. But with Limited edition that is what Toyota installs and stuck with it.
I drive a 2009 Hyundai GSL V6 3.3L and get 25mpg. The difference, trunk space vs RAV4 cargo is only height. The RAV4 also is a few inches higher off the ground for better driving experience. However, the RAV4 rear window has limited vision, thank goodness for the Rear Camera. The 4 cylinder engine isn't great as lack ability/ horse power to pull anything let alone itself. Acceleration is mediocre. As in a previous reply, should have purchased a brand new Honda CR-V and avoid the Toyota headaches. Generation 5 appearance is UGLY and they too have many unresolved problems. I'll never buy another Toyota. I had a 2011 Honda Civic EX-L 4dr. and it was fun to drive most times, just noisy undercarriage and NY State roads are in bad condition and not fun to drive in winter so got rid of it.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Toyfan2 said:
7.5 miles each way with traffic lights and stop signs. Significant stop and go action kills the mpg. I would recommend you go for a nice weekend drive where you can put 100 or more miles on the car with extended periods of 55+ mph driving with minimal stop and go. Check out your average for the trip and if its below 25 mpg maybe you have a problem. My 4.4 xle was consistent at 26-27 mpg in the summer and 25-26 mpg in the winter. I drove 30k miles a year with that car, 50/50 city/highway. I put a 2" lift, 8" aftermarket wheels and aggressive A/T tires View attachment 171414 ressive AT tires on the car when it had 150K miles and still averaged 22-23 mpg.
Click to expand...
Wife's car. Commute to-from work. Rarely driven on the highway. Was not intended for long trips and put lot of mileage on the RAV4. Looking to keep it for 6 to 10 years and resell with Toyota's Vehicle Service Agreement (100k/10yr) Warranty. Say 18K miles at purchase, drive roughly 5K miles per year as likely to have under 80K when time to sell or prior to 10 years with some valid warranty time available. Paid $26K. With Pandemic and shortage of computer chips, who knows as could sell today for $30K for $4K profit.
You should of gotten the RAV4 Adventure model for off-the-road. Nice wheels. Enjoy! Thank you for your kind reply and photo.
 
#9 ·
I bought the car new at 2015. MPG was that bad since new. I never get the advertisement MPG.

Driving local only is just that bad due to the engine lack of power I think.

Here's my 2 cents:
1)Don't use ECO mode. Use normal mode
2)Try you best to drive at constant speed. Keep increase the speed will kill more MPG.

With driving short trips this year, the muffler is watery. Now my muffler is full of rust at each join.

scottyat2 said:
Thank you! sorry you have a MPG LEMON like me, yes Winter time most people suffer worse mpg's simply because Oil Refineries add in Methanol or other substance for Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) as needed to increase vapor at lower temperatures for combustion. Idling the car or warming up the car for long periods is a waste of fuel. A car port or garage will help during the winter as less time to clean snow / ice from vehicle. Just be sure the anti-freeze is good and wiper fluid is more than half full. Wiper blades need to be gentle as frost to the windshield and tugging on the wiper can destroy the blade material or rip it. Note: there is nothing special having SofTex (imitation leather) seats, it is cheap and low grade quality. But with Limited edition that is what Toyota installs and stuck with it.
I drive a 2009 Hyundai GSL V6 3.3L and get 25mpg. The difference, trunk space vs RAV4 cargo is only height. The RAV4 also is a few inches higher off the ground for better driving experience. However, the RAV4 rear window has limited vision, thank goodness for the Rear Camera. The 4 cylinder engine isn't great as lack ability/ horse power to pull anything let alone itself. Acceleration is mediocre. As in a previous reply, should have purchased a brand new Honda CR-V and avoid the Toyota headaches. Generation 5 appearance is UGLY and they too have many unresolved problems. I'll never buy another Toyota. I had a 2011 Honda Civic EX-L 4dr. and it was fun to drive most times, just noisy undercarriage and NY State roads are in bad condition and not fun to drive in winter so got rid of it.
Click to expand...
 
#10 ·
I bought a 2013 LE back in 2016. It has been driven primarily on the highway but periodically in town for periods as well. I keep meticulous records of gas mileage and per tank mileage has always been between 23 and 31 MPG averaging 27. This has ranged from summer driving on high mileage road tires to winter driving on dedicated snow tires (with winter gas). The switch from summer to winter drops mileage by about 2.6 MPG. The car was purchased with a roof rack, crossbars, and running boards. At one point I removed all of those options but the mileage increase was less that 1 MPG even driving at highway speeds most of the time. I compare the on board mileage calculator with my actual gas in/odometer calculations both on a long term and short term basis and it has tracked remarkably well. I have no idea why your mileage is so low or suggestions how to fix it - just providing a data point for comparison.

I maintain tire pressure at 36 front / 33 rear (Manufacturer's recommended pressure is typically based more on ride than mileage)
The car is driven in ECO mode 100% of the time.
 
#11 ·
scottyat2 said:
Wife's car. Commute to-from work. Rarely driven on the highway. Was not intended for long trips and put lot of mileage on the RAV4. Looking to keep it for 6 to 10 years and resell with Toyota's Vehicle Service Agreement (100k/10yr) Warranty. Say 18K miles at purchase, drive roughly 5K miles per year as likely to have under 80K when time to sell or prior to 10 years with some valid warranty time available. Paid $26K. With Pandemic and shortage of computer chips, who knows as could sell today for $30K for $4K profit.
You should of gotten the RAV4 Adventure model for off-the-road. Nice wheels. Enjoy! Thank you for your kind reply and photo.
Click to expand...
Sometimes things don't make sense. You have made it very clear you are not happy with the car ( for more reasons than just the gas mileage ) and could sell it for a 4K profit. Why not sell it ? I made a simple suggestion you take it on a non-stop light/ stop sign extended drive to see if you really have a fuel mileage problem. Obviously you don't want to do that, and that's ok, but how do you propose to solve a perceived problem? You posted, asked a question, I assumed you were looking for possible answers/solutions. I see you are a new member, was the post just to complain ? On my 4th Rav4 since 2002 and have never done anything other than regular maintenance, all performed well, all exceeded 120K miles when traded in or sold. On my 9th Toyota since 1984 including 2 Landcruiser, 2 trucks, Forerunner, all performed well. We have had or have Chevy, Mercedes, Audi, and BMW's that have required more repairs individually than all combined repairs for the 9 Toyotas. I told my wife when I bought my 4.4 new in 2015 that it was the ugliest Rav4 they have every produced. She asked me why I would buy if I didn't care for the look and I said because I know I can drive it into the ground for the next 4-5 years with no problems and still have good resale value. I traded it in August 2020 with 165K miles and received $5,800 against the purchase of a new 2019 Rav4 Hybrid. Paid cash the same amount you paid for your 2018. Just turned 25k miles on it with no problems, was averaging 46 mpg before I put bigger aftermarket wheels and tires, still have a 1 year average of 41 mpg. Every brand/model, including Honda, have a percentage of cars with issues, so painting Toyota as a POS is not correct in my experienced opinion. I don't have Softex seats, but from the many reviews I have read on this forum owners have raved about their comfort and durability versus real leather they have had in the past. Didn't want an Adventure, I do my own mods, and paying $2,000-2,500 extra for a sticker on the hood and an adventure logo on the back is not a good value IMO. Thanks for comment on the wheels, they were sold to a new owner after I
Image
took them off to trade the car in. Here is a picture of my UGLY 2019. I think the 4.5 is the best looking Rav4 to date.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Salmon said:
I bought a 2013 LE back in 2016. It has been driven primarily on the highway but periodically in town for periods as well. I keep meticulous records of gas mileage and per tank mileage has always been between 23 and 31 MPG averaging 27. This has ranged from summer driving on high mileage road tires to winter driving on dedicated snow tires (with winter gas). The switch from summer to winter drops mileage by about 2.6 MPG. The car was purchased with a roof rack, crossbars, and running boards. At one point I removed all of those options but the mileage increase was less that 1 MPG even driving at highway speeds most of the time. I compare the on board mileage calculator with my actual gas in/odometer calculations both on a long term and short term basis and it has tracked remarkably well. I have no idea why your mileage is so low or suggestions how to fix it - just providing a data point for comparison.

I maintain tire pressure at 36 front / 33 rear (Manufacturer's recommended pressure is typically based more on ride than mileage)
The car is driven in ECO mode 100% of the time.
Click to expand...
2013 RAV4 is Gen 4. Glad you have good performance, a working computer module that can calculate MPG properly and get decent gas mileage. Attached image of my wife's RAV4. Picked up the 2018 RAV4 Limited AWD - Toyota Certified Used in Oct. 2020 with under 18K miles for $25,600 plus 100K/10yr Toyota Platinum VSA (warranty) for $1,330. She has managed to find ways for other people to add dings, minor scratches and scuff marks. Too many people don't respect other peoples property. Then again, could blame my wife as to where she parks the car when shopping or at work. SofTex seats not great, better off with cloth or real leather. Front passenger seat is difficult getting in because there no adjustment to lower the seat requiring to duck and lower and tilt your head to sit down and the dashboard protrudes too far outward as interferes with placement of left leg. Poor and cheap interior design with bad plastic molding.
Also, the rear window is too narrow to see clearly, thank goodness for the backup camera. Whiney 4 cylinder engine as not enough horse power and has lousy acceleration. It is suppose to be dependable and reliable, hence all the minor annoyances or defective build of the vehicle. Glad it is a short commuter vehicle as for long trips I'd rent a nicer car. Back seat might as well made it of hard plastic or wood, very uncomfortable. Rust had really settled in on the exhaust system, poor quality parts made from cheap metal. Sad to say, should have purchased a Honda CR-V.
Image
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Toyfan2 said:
Sometimes things don't make sense. You have made it very clear you are not happy with the car ( for more reasons than just the gas mileage ) and could sell it for a 4K profit. Why not sell it ? I made a simple suggestion you take it on a non-stop light/ stop sign extended drive to see if you really have a fuel mileage problem. Obviously you don't want to do that, and that's ok, but how do you propose to solve a perceived problem? You posted, asked a question, I assumed you were looking for possible answers/solutions. I see you are a new member, was the post just to complain ? On my 4th Rav4 since 2002 and have never done anything other than regular maintenance, all performed well, all exceeded 120K miles when traded in or sold. On my 9th Toyota since 1984 including 2 Landcruiser, 2 trucks, Forerunner, all performed well. We have had or have Chevy, Mercedes, Audi, and BMW's that have required more repairs individually than all combined repairs for the 9 Toyotas. I told my wife when I bought my 4.4 new in 2015 that it was the ugliest Rav4 they have every produced. She asked me why I would buy if I didn't care for the look and I said because I know I can drive it into the ground for the next 4-5 years with no problems and still have good resale value. I traded it in August 2020 with 165K miles and received $5,800 against the purchase of a new 2019 Rav4 Hybrid. Paid cash the same amount you paid for your 2018. Just turned 25k miles on it with no problems, was averaging 46 mpg before I put bigger aftermarket wheels and tires, still have a 1 year average of 41 mpg. Every brand/model, including Honda, have a percentage of cars with issues, so painting Toyota as a POS is not correct in my experienced opinion. I don't have Softex seats, but from the many reviews I have read on this forum owners have raved about their comfort and durability versus real leather they have had in the past. Didn't want an Adventure, I do my own mods, and paying $2,000-2,500 extra for a sticker on the hood and an adventure logo on the back is not a good value IMO. Thanks for comment on the wheels, they were sold to a new owner after I View attachment 171519 took them off to trade the car in. Here is a picture of my UGLY 2019. I think the 4.5 is the best looking Rav4 to date.
Click to expand...
It was suppose to be an upgrade replacing her Ford Taurus as getting AWD and higher off the road during the winter to make it easier to get around, better traction not fighting with snow.
On average we did get about 126 inches of snow per season, some years nearly 200 inches. The last few years been rather mild between 80 to 90 inches. Seen more white Thanksgivings than Christmases (often can see grass) the last 20 years, then by January the snow rolls in. Forgot what year it was but we had snow falling on Mother's Day. The weather pattern is changing.
Rather clean and well kept Blizzard Pearl White, nice you have mechanical and body shop skills to mod the vehicle. Maybe in years coming, I'll just find someone who has that Classic 60s or 70s car I always wanted. They don't design car like they used too, I was born in 1960 so a sporty V8 muscle car with a manual transmission will do.
 
#14 ·
Older than you but grew up in the same era. Love to look at all of the classic muscle cars, fortunate to have ridden in most at one point of time or another in my life, never want to own one. I would be too afraid to damage it and parking it in a garage to just look at is not my thing. I have only basic automotive skills, like we had to have growing up with no money and the responsibility of maintenance and repairs yourself. Everything I do is primarily attached with double sided tape, bolt on, or plug and play. I live in Northern NJ. Not as much snow as you, but enough to upgrade tires for better traction and safety. Its my work car, so I have to do some involuntary soft off-roading in above average precarious places sometimes. Hope you are able to figure out your efficiency problems or move on to something you will be more to your liking. Good Luck.
 
#15 ·
I have a 2013 LE, AWD, was top of the line when I got it. I "lived" in NYC with the car and drove it every single day All NYC driving -- horrible conditions -- and I never got below 21 mpg. Obviously there is something really wrong here -- either with the reporting or with the RAV. If you are not going to take it to a dealer -- and I have no idea if you still have original warranty coverage -- then what? A private mechanic? You bear all the costs and who is to say he/she can fix it. At least with a dealer, it's going to be in house so to speak, have all the access to the most current info, resources, etc. -- and perhaps this gets escalated. Good luck! I hope it all works out.
 
#16 ·
I bought our 2013 at 18k miles and we have been really happy with it. Very low maintenance and overall the performance meets our needs. We bought a 2016 CR-V in the same year and it has been fine but visibility is significantly better in the Rav4 although with the CVT to CR-V has gotten 2-5 MPG more on average.
 
#17 ·
scottyat2 said:
11 months I have keep perfect fuel records of the Toyota Certified Used 2018 RAV4 Limited. It was delivered on Oct. 26, 2020 with 17,852 miles.
Suppose get Average City 22MPG.
When Toyota indicates "AVERAGE" probably + - 2 MPG maybe plus or minus 3 mpg. So worse case scenario 19mpg. In Reality the RAV4 is getting about 17mpg.
Mainly used to commute to-from work as round trip near 13 miles. 7 traffic lights and 3 stop signs and roads are not congested. What's up Toyota? Why the Poor Gas Mileage?
Refuel DateOdometer ReadingMiles driven since lastGallons
(fuel added)		$Cost$Cost per GallonMPG
(mileage)		$Cost per Mile
10/26/202017852
11/12/202018020168.010.456$20.07$1.91916.1 $ 0.119
12/1/202018187167.010.773$21.00$1.94915.5 $ 0.126
12/23/202018339152.010.532$22.00$2.08914.4 $ 0.145
1/15/202118513174.011.220$25.69$2.28915.5 $ 0.148
2/4/202118682169.011.848$26.63$2.24914.3 $ 0.158
2/24/202118866184.012.207$30.99$2.53915.1 $ 0.168
3/14/202119058192.011.205$30.02$2.67917.1 $ 0.156
4/1/202119236178.010.428$27.00$2.58917.1 $ 0.152
4/24/202119458222.012.592$34.49$2.73917.6 $ 0.155
5/15/202119670212.011.462$33.00$2.87918.5 $ 0.156
6/2/202119870190.010.386$30.01$2.88918.3 $ 0.158
6/12/202120050185.010.368$29.95$2.88917.8 $ 0.162
6/25/202120253203.011.103$33.00$2.97918.3 $ 0.163
7/9/202120453200.011.583$34.51$2.97917.3 $ 0.173
7/20/202120658205.011.755$35.02$2.97917.4 $ 0.171
7/28/202120813155.08.958$26.69$2.97917.3 $ 0.172
8/9/202121016203.011.885$40.99$3.449Prem17.1 $ 0.202
8/26/202121236220.012.805$38.02$2.96917.2 $ 0.173
Click to expand...
I am having this problem also. Someone said it could be the coolant censor or the mAF mass air flow censors.
 
#19 ·
scottyat2 said:
11 months I have keep perfect fuel records of the Toyota Certified Used 2018 RAV4 Limited. It was delivered on Oct. 26, 2020 with 17,852 miles.
Suppose get Average City 22MPG.
When Toyota indicates "AVERAGE" probably + - 2 MPG maybe plus or minus 3 mpg. So worse case scenario 19mpg. In Reality the RAV4 is getting about 17mpg.
Mainly used to commute to-from work as round trip near 13 miles. 7 traffic lights and 3 stop signs and roads are not congested. What's up Toyota? Why the Poor Gas Mileage?
Refuel DateOdometer ReadingMiles driven since lastGallons
(fuel added)		$Cost$Cost per GallonMPG
(mileage)		$Cost per Mile
10/26/202017852
11/12/202018020168.010.456$20.07$1.91916.1$ 0.119
12/1/202018187167.010.773$21.00$1.94915.5$ 0.126
12/23/202018339152.010.532$22.00$2.08914.4$ 0.145
1/15/202118513174.011.220$25.69$2.28915.5$ 0.148
2/4/202118682169.011.848$26.63$2.24914.3$ 0.158
2/24/202118866184.012.207$30.99$2.53915.1$ 0.168
3/14/202119058192.011.205$30.02$2.67917.1$ 0.156
4/1/202119236178.010.428$27.00$2.58917.1$ 0.152
4/24/202119458222.012.592$34.49$2.73917.6$ 0.155
5/15/202119670212.011.462$33.00$2.87918.5$ 0.156
6/2/202119870190.010.386$30.01$2.88918.3$ 0.158
6/12/202120050185.010.368$29.95$2.88917.8$ 0.162
6/25/202120253203.011.103$33.00$2.97918.3$ 0.163
7/9/202120453200.011.583$34.51$2.97917.3$ 0.173
7/20/202120658205.011.755$35.02$2.97917.4$ 0.171
7/28/202120813155.08.958$26.69$2.97917.3$ 0.172
8/9/202121016203.011.885$40.99$3.449Prem17.1$ 0.202
8/26/202121236220.012.805$38.02$2.96917.2$ 0.173
Click to expand...
This isn't just poor, this is concerning. A RAV is not supposed to have these numbers, I highly suggest you take this up with a professional.
 
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