[talieda]

5 days ago I bought a used 2016 RAV4 hybrid limited with 44000 km (27340 miles) on it. I have a 2.5 hour commute 2-4 times per week on mostly highway and do all city driving otherwise. I know that the hybrid shines in the city, but was still hoping for the advertised 7.6 l/100 (30 mpg) on the highway.

I just did my first commute this weekend and the after start economy each way is at 8.5 l/100 (27 mpg) at 2000-3000 ft ASL and close to freezing.

Since I purchased the vehicle and it was reset it’s at 7.7 l/100 with lots of city driving and two 2.5 hour trips. While I am concerned about the fuel economy, what I’m more concerned with is the hybrid system health. The dealership has a 5 day return policy, and today is day 5. Should I be concerned and return it to avoid a possible lemon, or can this all be chalked up to driving style, weather, and temp?

I’ve had 5 days to read the manual and research the issue, but my job is a “read-the-manual” intensive kind of job that demands intense study, I just didn’t have left over eye balls or brains for the Rav until today. Any guidance is appreciated.

 

[NameofUser]

...hoping for the advertised 7.6 l/100 (30 mpg) on the highway.

... first commute ... (27 mpg) at 2000-3000 ft ASL and close to freezing.

... what I’m more concerned with is the hybrid system health.

I’ve had 5 days to read the manual and research the issue, but my job is a “read-the-manual” intensive kind of job that demands intense study, I just didn’t have left over eye balls or brains for the Rav until today. Any guidance is appreciated.

You clearly overthink things and cause yourself A LOT of unnecessary stress.

Play these music videos in this order before reading further:

Hopefully you are now in a more relaxed state of mind. Proceed to read.



1) The advertised 30MPG is always from testing at a much lower elevation (sea level)! You should be very happy w/ your testing giving you 27MPG at elevation and 0C/32F! What did your previous ICE only car achieve? No where near 27MPG I bet. If your ICE vehicle achieved 27MPG or better, drive it. If you drive a slower top speed and accelerate like a grandparent, that 27MPG will likely be higher.

2) What do you mean by hybrid system health? Is it the traction battery/High Voltage (HV) Battery? Is it the transaxle (think transmission)? Is it the Inverter? Toyota Pioneered Hybrid vehicles and has proven the technology is beneficial and reliable. The Hybrid components are warranted for 10yr/150k miles in the USA. I don't know what CAN warranty period and coverage is.

3) It is important to read the owners manual for every vehicle you own. BUT, people need to just appreciate that the Hybrid vehicles take care of themselves. Just drive the vehicle and NOT overthink it as you do. Yes, the car will make different noises than what you are used to, but those will be normal. The car will notify you of any problems w/ warning dash lights and messages. Enjoy the drive and gas savings.


WHATEVER you decided to do, you stand to benefit from the messages in the three songs above: Relax, Let It Be, and Don't Worry Be Happy.

 

[cardoso]

Hello, you need to "learn" how drive a hybrid. RAV its a great car.

 

[Variman]

5 days ago I bought a used 2016 RAV4 hybrid limited with 44000 km (27340 miles) on it. I have a 2.5 hour commute 2-4 times per week on mostly highway and do all city driving otherwise. I know that the hybrid shines in the city, but was still hoping for the advertised 7.6 l/100 (30 mpg) on the highway.

I just did my first commute this weekend and the after start economy each way is at 8.5 l/100 (27 mpg) at 2000-3000 ft ASL and close to freezing.

Since I purchased the vehicle and it was reset it’s at 7.7 l/100 with lots of city driving and two 2.5 hour trips. While I am concerned about the fuel economy, what I’m more concerned with is the hybrid system health. The dealership has a 5 day return policy, and today is day 5. Should I be concerned and return it to avoid a possible lemon, or can this all be chalked up to driving style, weather, and temp?

I’ve had 5 days to read the manual and research the issue, but my job is a “read-the-manual” intensive kind of job that demands intense study, I just didn’t have left over eye balls or brains for the Rav until today. Any guidance is appreciated.

One thing you may want to consider is to use an OBD II scanner and an App such as Dr Prius to check the condition of the hybrid batteries and system. Not easy to pull together in a day or two but if you can, may be a good idea or find a mechanic who can do it for you. Look up a hybrid specialist near you,

 

[internalaudit]

I live in Toronto and during winter times, when it's between -15 to 0C, I get around 29-32 US MPG. But on short commutes, it could be 27 MPG, but very rare.

I think we are close to sea level.

Maybe your km per liter reading is off. My fuel economy is overstated by about 5-7%. Maybe check my filling up fuel tank (don't overfill), keep track of your driving and fill up fuel tank again to check your actual fuel economy.

 

[talieda]

You clearly overthink things and cause yourself A LOT of unnecessary stress.

Play these music videos in this order before reading further:

Hopefully you are now in a more relaxed state of mind. Proceed to read.



1) The advertised 30MPG is always from testing at a much lower elevation (sea level)! You should be very happy w/ your testing giving you 27MPG at elevation and 0C/32F! What did your previous ICE only car achieve? No where near 27MPG I bet. If your ICE vehicle achieved 27MPG or better, drive it. If you drive a slower top speed and accelerate like a grandparent, that 27MPG will likely be higher.

2) What do you mean by hybrid system health? Is it the traction battery/High Voltage (HV) Battery? Is it the transaxle (think transmission)? Is it the Inverter? Toyota Pioneered Hybrid vehicles and has proven the technology is beneficial and reliable. The Hybrid components are warranted for 10yr/150k miles in the USA. I don't know what CAN warranty period and coverage is.

3) It is important to read the owners manual for every vehicle you own. BUT, people need to just appreciate that the Hybrid vehicles take care of themselves. Just drive the vehicle and NOT overthink it as you do. Yes, the car will make different noises than what you are used to, but those will be normal. The car will notify you of any problems w/ warning dash lights and messages. Enjoy the drive and gas savings.


WHATEVER you decided to do, you stand to benefit from the messages in the three songs above: Relax, Let It Be, and Don't Worry Be Happy.

I’m a pilot for a major airline and was deep in the manuals last week getting ready for simulator, the same week my commuter car was giving its death rattle. I decided to prioritize the machine that was more systems intensive for my manual reading, so the Rav got neglected. I do tend to look at overall system performance and trends to anticipate problems before they show up in a major way; coming into this vehicle not knowing the normal system parameters had me out of my element. I’d love a good fuel consumption vs pressure altitude and temperature chart for this thing, and I’m going to Google the hell out of it now that I’ve proved to the all-seeing-eye that nobody will die of airplane under my watch.

 

[internalaudit]

Talieda, did you opt to return the vehicle or keep it?

 

[talieda]

Talieda, did you opt to return the vehicle or keep it?

I ended up keeping it. Other life chaos made impractical to even start looking for another vehicle at the moment. Generally, I’m pretty happy with it, looking forward to spring next year to see what the fuel burn will actually be like. Thanks for your input, it’s was helpful.

 

[meeder]

Weather circumstances seem to have quite a big effect on the hybrid fuel consumption.

As an example, this is the fuel consumption for each month of the year for my Corolla hybrid. From June through September the car is most efficient. Using the AC uses less energy than heating the car so it seems.

 

[bart_dood]

Slowing down helps. I get around 31-32 mpg at 70-75mph, recently with high gas prices (and I now don't travel as far so don't need to rush as much) I drive at 55-60mph on the highway and take more care off the highway, I've been getting 35-37mpg