Nick Marshall

Ken Ganley Toyota Pittsburgh responded

Dear MSINGER3, We regret we were unable to assist you with your concern. We consulted with Toyota and have followed all their protocols. We suggest you take your concerns back to Toyota to see if they can assist you.

MSINGER3 responded

It's definitely frustrating when your car doesn't live up to the advertised MPG, especially when it's such a significant difference. Here's a breakdown of how to approach the dealership, along with some important considerations: 1. Gather Your Evidence: * Document everything: Keep detailed records of your gas fill-ups, mileage, and calculations. Apps like Fuelly or even a simple spreadsheet can be helpful. The more data you have, the stronger your case. * Driving conditions: Be prepared to discuss your driving habits. City driving, aggressive driving, and using features like air conditioning can all lower MPG. However, even with these factors, a 16-20 MPG difference is substantial. Try to estimate the percentage of city vs. highway driving you do. * Compare to similar vehicles: See if you can find reports from other drivers with the same make and model. Websites like Fuelly or even forums dedicated to your car model can provide real-world MPG data. This helps show if your experience is typical or if your car might have an issue. * Check for recalls or TSBs: Search online (NHTSA website is a good resource) for any recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related to fuel economy for your car model. A TSB is issued by the manufacturer to address known issues, and there might be a fix available. 2. Your Response to the Dealership (Be polite but firm): * Reiterate the discrepancy: "I'm consistently getting 26-30 MPG, significantly lower than the 46 MPG advertised on the window sticker. I've been tracking my mileage meticulously [show them your records]." * Acknowledge driving conditions (but don't make excuses): "While I understand that driving style and conditions can affect MPG, the difference is too large to be explained by these factors alone. I'd estimate my driving is approximately X% city and Y% highway." * Ask for clarification: "Can you explain why there's such a large gap between the advertised MPG and my actual results? What testing methods were used to achieve the 46 MPG figure on the sticker?" * Inquire about potential issues: "Are there any known issues with this model that could affect fuel economy? Have you received any other complaints about similar MPG discrepancies? Are there any recalls or TSBs related to fuel economy for my vehicle?" * Propose solutions: * Diagnostic check: "I'd like the car to be thoroughly checked by your service department to identify any potential problems that could be impacting fuel economy." * Compare to a similar vehicle: "Could I test drive another vehicle of the same make and model to compare its MPG performance to mine?" * Escalate if necessary: "If the issue cannot be resolved, I'd like to discuss this further with the sales manager or the general manager." 3. If the Dealership Is Uncooperative: * Contact the manufacturer: Reach out to the car manufacturer's customer service department. They might be more willing to investigate. * File a complaint with the FTC: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handles complaints about deceptive advertising. While they might not resolve your individual case, it helps them track patterns of complaints. * Check your state's consumer protection agency: Many states have agencies that protect consumer rights. * Consider legal action (small claims court): If all else fails, you might consider taking the dealership to small claims court. However, this should be a last resort. Important Considerations: * EPA estimates are just that – estimates: The MPG figures on the window sticker are based on standardized tests, but real-world driving conditions can vary significantly. It's rare to achieve the exact sticker MPG. However, a 16-20 MPG difference is excessive. * "Your mileage may vary" is a real disclaimer: This disclaimer acknowledges that actual MPG will vary. But again, it doesn't justify a huge discrepancy. * Lemon laws: Lemon laws vary by state, but they generally apply to vehicles with significant defects that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. Fuel economy issues might not qualify, but it's worth checking your state's laws. Be persistent, polite, and organized. The more information you have, the better equipped you'll be to address the issue with the dealership and potentially get some resolution.

MSINGER3 responded

It's definitely frustrating when your car doesn't live up to the advertised MPG, especially when it's such a significant difference. Here's a breakdown of how to approach the dealership, along with some important considerations: 1. Gather Your Evidence: * Document everything: Keep detailed records of your gas fill-ups, mileage, and calculations. Apps like Fuelly or even a simple spreadsheet can be helpful. The more data you have, the stronger your case. * Driving conditions: Be prepared to discuss your driving habits. City driving, aggressive driving, and using features like air conditioning can all lower MPG. However, even with these factors, a 16-20 MPG difference is substantial. Try to estimate the percentage of city vs. highway driving you do. * Compare to similar vehicles: See if you can find reports from other drivers with the same make and model. Websites like Fuelly or even forums dedicated to your car model can provide real-world MPG data. This helps show if your experience is typical or if your car might have an issue. * Check for recalls or TSBs: Search online (NHTSA website is a good resource) for any recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related to fuel economy for your car model. A TSB is issued by the manufacturer to address known issues, and there might be a fix available. 2. Your Response to the Dealership (Be polite but firm): * Reiterate the discrepancy: "I'm consistently getting 26-30 MPG, significantly lower than the 46 MPG advertised on the window sticker. I've been tracking my mileage meticulously [show them your records]." * Acknowledge driving conditions (but don't make excuses): "While I understand that driving style and conditions can affect MPG, the difference is too large to be explained by these factors alone. I'd estimate my driving is approximately X% city and Y% highway." * Ask for clarification: "Can you explain why there's such a large gap between the advertised MPG and my actual results? What testing methods were used to achieve the 46 MPG figure on the sticker?" * Inquire about potential issues: "Are there any known issues with this model that could affect fuel economy? Have you received any other complaints about similar MPG discrepancies? Are there any recalls or TSBs related to fuel economy for my vehicle?" * Propose solutions: * Diagnostic check: "I'd like the car to be thoroughly checked by your service department to identify any potential problems that could be impacting fuel economy." * Compare to a similar vehicle: "Could I test drive another vehicle of the same make and model to compare its MPG performance to mine?" * Escalate if necessary: "If the issue cannot be resolved, I'd like to discuss this further with the sales manager or the general manager." 3. If the Dealership Is Uncooperative: * Contact the manufacturer: Reach out to the car manufacturer's customer service department. They might be more willing to investigate. * File a complaint with the FTC: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) handles complaints about deceptive advertising. While they might not resolve your individual case, it helps them track patterns of complaints. * Check your state's consumer protection agency: Many states have agencies that protect consumer rights. * Consider legal action (small claims court): If all else fails, you might consider taking the dealership to small claims court. However, this should be a last resort. Important Considerations: * EPA estimates are just that – estimates: The MPG figures on the window sticker are based on standardized tests, but real-world driving conditions can vary significantly. It's rare to achieve the exact sticker MPG. However, a 16-20 MPG difference is excessive. * "Your mileage may vary" is a real disclaimer: This disclaimer acknowledges that actual MPG will vary. But again, it doesn't justify a huge discrepancy. * Lemon laws: Lemon laws vary by state, but they generally apply to vehicles with significant defects that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. Fuel economy issues might not qualify, but it's worth checking your state's laws. Be persistent, polite, and organized. The more information you have, the better equipped you'll be to address the issue with the dealership and potentially get some resolution.