Those short trips are murder on engine oil. Change it often. Try the 0w-20 for best results. I use 5w-20 due to extended driving.

 

Thank you everyone for your replies. I did read the FAQ section and have made some changes. Lets see what the car does once it breaks in a bit more and the weather warms up. Does anyone know if there is an engine block heater specific for the TCH?

Thanks

 

Yes there is.

There has been a lot of discussion on block heaters in this forum.

Search the forum for "block heater."

See especially:

https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...tml#post193103

I got lots of helpful replies to my questions, here, and got my dealer here in Houston, TX to order me one. I came in in a few days.

There was some confusion on the forum regarding the current availability and the correct part number. I will check my paperwork and post the part number over the weekend.

 

I found when I took note of the exact mpg when I first drive off for the day. Then compare it to the mpg when I later pull in the driveway. At first I was loosing mpg each day I drove. After a while I was breaking even. After 6 months I was gaining .3 to .4 mpg per outing. Do remember the mpg is sensitive and usually reads high after you fill the tank. It settles down after the gas gauge reads just at or just under the full mark.

After a year especially during the spring I could sometimes achieve up to .9 to 1 mpg. (with no AC) This is combined driving to town and back. A total of 32 miles round trip. The city driving is on the main streets with about 4 red lights. I do slow takeoffs if their is nobody behind me. I use the cruise control all the time, including when in town.

The tenths may not seem like a lot, but multiply that for 20 to 25 days for each tank. After a year I found the TCH gets it's best mpg while driving from 38 to 42 mph. There are few places a person can drive like that. Still it's good to keep this in mind in those 40/45 zones. Coasting or lightly braking to a stop also helps your mpg.

Yes, very cold weather is a mpg killer. So far your getting excellent gas mileage due to the conditions. Like they say, a block heater would sure help on your first 2 or 3 cold miles. Stay with the 0W-20 oil. After the engine break-in you should pick up a couple more mpg.

 

Thanks everyone for your replies.

 

This is exactly what I am seeing. I have an 09 I bought in July. Got 37-40mpg through the summer and into fall. I drive about 7-8 miles to work. I am in OH and probably not as cold as MN but starting in Nov-Dec I started getting around 30-31mpg. I believe the cold weather is definitely the mpg killer from what I have seen, as nothing much else has changed for me.

 

The dealer's order for my block heater (September, 2008) listed "Part number / description" as: 00213-00900 block heater.

The box it came in (form Toyota Canada Inc.) shows the number, PU140-00900.

It looks just like the one pictured in the link above.

Hope that helps.