I have a 97 Camry with 130,000 miles. For most of the life of this car I got about 30 mpg city and slightly higher highway. During the past year however, the mpg has droppped to just over 20. Mechanics have done all they could think of. The car runs smoothly, but it doesn't seem to have the zip that it used to have (a small decrease in power, if anything - and it might be my imagination, too).

Any ideas out there will be greatly appreciated.

Outside of general tune-up stuff,have you had the O2 sensors replaced?

Gone to lower octane gas?

98 octane gas kicks butt over the standard stuff..

Hmm.. I WOULD say check the air filter, since animals like to build nests in them at this time of year (happened to my sister last spring which cut power and mileage), but I'm starting to get a similar problem in my car and my filter is new. I didn't notice it until I drove my friend's 1998 Camry and noticed it had MUCH more power than mine (same 5sfe engine). Perhaps I will try the O2 sensor. Would the check engine light come on if this was bad? (Mine doesn't)

Depending on the year, the CEL may or may not come on. Get the codes from the ECU, delete them, and the see if the same ones reappear.