Steering recall performed, then 33 mpg instead of high 40s

Maybe it's a coincidence, but I got the steering shaft recall done on my 07 at the dealership last week, and after a fill up, my average mpg dropped from high 40s to low 30s. I've had the car and tires for 3 years and never got less than 44 even in winter. I typically reset the average every few fill ups, so its not an averaging issue alone. I topped off the tires too -- 40ish all around on Hankook Optimos. No significant change.

Also, after recall job, the steering wheel is ten or so degrees down on the left. I've been told in the past that is not related to alignment, but I wonder if it is relevant here. I have an appt. for them to fix that (because it's just so darn annoying), but I'm interested in ideas about the mpg drop. Had 12v battery checked an oil change or two ago, charging fine then.

Ideas??

 

Ah, yeah, I thought about that too, so I did reset it after aBout 16 miles because it was so low and I thought that mighit have been the case. Still, maybe 45 more miles of typical driving and it's 33 nonetheless.

 

you would think they could get the steering wheel centered..pretty basic and important with steering wheel controls for audio and heat...duh. Good to know your mpgs not affected.

 

Thanks, Agent J. I haven't noticed the usual alignment stuff. I get the steering wheel lined up Tuesday and I'll ask them to check the alignment. Can alignment get screwed up by the steering shaft recall (if so, they would have to do that free also, I assume).

 

Thanks, John. I'll fight for the straightening being free. I don't think the front end alignment is off..I've tested that. I also am back up to 42 mpg now with longer trips and 40 lb pressure, so I think it was just a cold week, short trips, 35lb pressure. I'll let you all know of it turns out to be something different.

 

Had them work on the steering wheel centering yesterday. The mechanic went for a drive with me, and it was 5degrees down on the right instead of 10 degrees down on the left. he went back in with it, we drove again, it looked better, maybe 3 degrees down on the right, and I started to worry that I was obsessing (I'm a picture straightener who can't stand things being off-center unless they are totally right or left justified), so I left, but after driving it for another day and a half, it's still bugging me...it's 3-4 degrees down on the right, so I drive with a seam under one thumb and not the other, an awkward reach to the map button.

Whaddaya guys think? Am I just being obsessive, or do I have a right to expect perfect center and alignment of the Toyota logo etc.?

 

Thanks, John. Will do. And, by the way, the mileage is back up to 45 with some extended trips, not bad for 30 degree weather with Hankook Optimo 727s, so that's no longer an issue.

 

So I went in agAin, and helped the guy line it up, but when he tightened the second bolt, it shifted slightly back down to the left. This is trickier than they think, and it is annoying as hell. maybe they chould make the emblem on the steering wheel perfectly circular with nothing horizontal or vertical inside it ;-).

 

I'm gonna pay to have someone else do it and get an alignment at the same time. I'm convinced the guy has some innate deficiency with this, and I'd rather pay $89 for an alignment than have this guy try to fix it again for free. i find driving much more tiring with the wheel off set...I'm constantly correcting unconsciously.