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4cyl vs 6cyl Fuel Economy?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by JeanD, Mar 25, 2011.

  1. Mar 25, 2011 at 11:08 AM
    #1
    JeanD

    JeanD [OP] New Member

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    Courtenay, BC
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    99 2WD - For now...
    Hi all,

    I'm a new member to this forum, although I've owned my '99 Tacoma (2WD, Xtra Cab) for 5 years. I loooooove my Taco! But I've moved and changed my life, and now I need a 4x4. I spent waaaay too much time this winter putting snow in the bed to get up to the ski hill. Our local mountain just gets dumped on - 13m so far this year!

    So I've been looking for a 4x4. I wanted essentially my truck (1st gen), but in 4WD. I have a line on one, haven't seen it yet. 2003 4x4 XtraCab, Manual, 140,000 km. 6cyl.

    I had it in my head that I wanted the 4cyl for fuel economy, but the numbers I've seen for the 1st gens don't seem that bad?

    According to the "book" (a friend read these out over the phone):

    6cyl - HWY 11 km/l, city 14.1 km/l
    4 cyl - HWY 10 km/l, city 13.1 km/l

    (Yes. Metric. Sorry!)
    That doesn't seem like it's that significant a difference? I would love to hear some real world numbers. My average in my 2WD is about 10 for all driving, which I've been pretty happy with.

    I won't be doing any major towing, but I work from home so aside from errands, the truck will be used to get me into the mountains. (And also for all the things I used my old Tacoma for - hauling lumber, topsoil, gravel etc.)

    The truck seems perfect otherwise, and these things are really hard to find, especially vehicles which haven't left Vancouver Island. If I go to see it, and like it, I need to be prepared to buy.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Mar 25, 2011 at 11:15 AM
    #2
    SlimDigg

    SlimDigg We Back!!

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    Calgary, AB
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    Coming Soon....
    My best is 20mpg all highway from the okanagan to vancouver via the coquihalla. I average in between 17-18mpg, mostly highway. V6
     
  3. Mar 25, 2011 at 11:17 AM
    #3
    x2468

    x2468 Well-Known Member

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    you should prob help us help you by converting that to Mpg
     
  4. Mar 25, 2011 at 11:18 AM
    #4
    TACOMA TRD

    TACOMA TRD Well-Known Member

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    Tom
    PA
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    Alpine HU, Apline 6.5 3 way Speakers, Access Cover.
    I live in the cold weather, not as cold as you. I avg 14.6 MPG in solid city driving with my v-6 taco. In my oppinion I think they are pretty close between the 4cyl and 6cyl. this has been debated here before. I avg about 22 MPG on the highway.

    Hope this helps.
     
  5. Mar 25, 2011 at 11:24 AM
    #5
    JeanD

    JeanD [OP] New Member

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    Courtenay, BC
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    99 2WD - For now...
    OK...
    According to fueleconomy.gov

    6cyl - 15 mpg City, 16 mpg Combined, 18 mpg Highway
    4 cyl - 16 mpg City, 17 mpg Combined, 20 mpg Highway

    Either way, the difference does not seem significant. Is that true in the real world?
     
  6. Mar 25, 2011 at 11:28 AM
    #6
    TacomaJack09

    TacomaJack09 Well-Known Member

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    Jackson
    Montana!
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    06 Access Cab 4x4
    Billie 5100's, Ride Rite Airbags, Tech Deck
    I avg. 20 - 23 city/hwy combined. 4cyc 5 spd 4x4 Reg Cab.
     
  7. Mar 25, 2011 at 11:37 AM
    #7
    x2468

    x2468 Well-Known Member

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    Thats the same I get. Altho it can dip to 16'5 sometimes.
     
  8. Mar 25, 2011 at 11:55 AM
    #8
    vantaco

    vantaco Well-Known Member

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    i get about 16mpg with a general mix of city/highway with an auto tranny

    v6 4x4

    just get the v6, if you ever need to tow/haul anything you'll be glad you did
     
  9. Mar 25, 2011 at 12:02 PM
    #9
    twfsa

    twfsa Well-Known Member

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    Tom
    Omaha Ne
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    881 Front coils, Bilstien 5100's all the way front set to "0" Icon Dynamic's mini leafs in rear, stock tires.
    Winter here and city only 16.6 V6 auto 4X4.
     
  10. Mar 25, 2011 at 1:19 PM
    #10
    meatman

    meatman I deal with dead animals

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    Greg
    Murphy N.C.
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    (built) 04 Tacoma SR5 4x4 and 01 TRD 4x4 DD
    Just filled up and got 21.5,of course around here it is mostly hwy. although alot of slow down and speed up due to heavy 2 lane hwy. 01 ext cab v6 auto with a rugged cover folding tonneau cover. had a 98 4 cil. 5 spd. standard cab and got 23-24mpg
     
  11. Mar 25, 2011 at 2:46 PM
    #11
    Turp

    Turp Well-Known Member

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    K&N panel/ snorkel removed Keyless
    Pretty much what my experience is.

    My 2001 4Runner V6 was 16 city 20 highway

    My 2002 Taco I4 is 17city; no highway trip yet
     
  12. Mar 25, 2011 at 3:37 PM
    #12
    tacod

    tacod Well-Known Member

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    Dan
    Kemblesville, PA
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    i've been surprised at the tight range of fuel economy i get in a wide variety of conditions. see my sig for my details, but 18-19 mpg in mixed driving with a v6 4x4 since i got it last fall.
     
  13. Mar 25, 2011 at 4:38 PM
    #13
    thegame

    thegame Well-Known Member

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    Brian
    Folsom, CA
    I think it's funny that 2nd gen owners post in 1st gen threads :rolleyes:

    My 01 D-cab V6 averages 16-17mpg. Not great and almost wish I had a 4 cylinder.
     
  14. Mar 25, 2011 at 5:58 PM
    #14
    Norton

    Norton Senior Member

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    2013 Access Cab 4x4 V6 6MT, TRD OR & Tow Packages
    Magnuson S/C w/12TRDTacoma's Qwikchange Hub & 2.5" RIP-Modded Pulley, Roostfactor's Pulley Wrap Mod; FPR Mod; JustDSM Tune via HPT MPVI2; mightytacoman Intercooler Tank; aFe POWER Magnum FLOW Pro DRY S Air Filter; OME Suspension Lift (885 Coils, Dakar Leafs, NitroCharger Sports); TRD Quickshifter w/TRD 6-Spd Knob; TRD Exhaust; NSB-AGM27F Battery w/HKB Adjustable Voltage Booster & Coupe's TRD Battery Hold Down; Goodridge SS Brake Lines; Trident904's MT ADM; BFG All-Terrain T/A KO2s on FJ SE Anthracite Rims; N-Fab 6-Step Nerf Bars; BPF TRD Skid, Tow Hook, & Cooling Panel; jsi's Locker Anytime, Up2NoGood's 2Lo Module; ramonortiz55's Always on Power Outlet Relay, ND4's Fog Light Anytime, & Crom's Speed Bleeder Mods; crashnburn80's Ultimate Headlight & Fog Light Upgrades; ThreatLevelMidnight's Wireless Charger; 4Runner 4X4 & FJ Fog Light Switches; redtaco2007-inspired LED License Plate Lights; AudioControl LC2i LOC, JL Audio XD200/2v2 Amp, Focal PS165V1 Spkrs, Sound Ordnance B-8PTD Sub, Hushmat & Noico Sound Insulation; loginfailed-inspired Speedhut Boost & AFR Gauges in a Lotek Pillar Pod; Ltd Auto-Dim/Compass/Temp/Backup Camera/Homelink mirror on ImMrYo's Mirror Lift Bracket; TacomaBeast Glove Box & Console Organizers; Husky Floor Liners; UltraGauge EM; mesojdm's Ultimate LED Dome & Map Lights & GASSHOLE; Redline Tuning QuickLIFT Elite; Mobtown Offroad Locking Bed Storage Doors; Toyota Bed Mat; Cali Raised Led Bed Stiffeners; Pop & Lock Power Tailgate Lock w/TacomaTruckParts Support Bracket; ARE Z-Series Cap, SolarGard Tint; BlendMounted & MirrorTapped Uniden R3; CravenSpeed Stubby Antenna; Amsoil Lubricants; Adam's Detailing Supplies
    I average 18.3MPG in my supercharged 2004 V6 5-Spd 4x4 Xtra Cab with 265/70R16 BFG ATs. All-time low is 16.1MPG. All time high is 20.6MPG.

    Note that the low was achieved during winter months, when I use 4WD more often and our fuel is "oxygenated" to reduce emisssions. (I've observed about a 10% drop in fuel economy in all three of my vehicles that corellates directly with "oxygenation" of their fuel.)
     
  15. Mar 25, 2011 at 6:00 PM
    #15
    Yoytoda

    Yoytoda The Little Truck That Could

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    Roland
    Big Bear,CA / Upstate NY(Saratoga)
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    2010 Tacoma Regular Cab 4x4
    completely stock
    i average about 21 mixed driving
     
  16. Mar 25, 2011 at 6:50 PM
    #16
    x2468

    x2468 Well-Known Member

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    Interestingly enough, I've found that I get the same or better mpg with a liberal use of the throttle than when I try really hard to coast and use a light foot
     
  17. Mar 25, 2011 at 7:21 PM
    #17
    turtletaco

    turtletaco Active Member

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    I've got the 2.7 I4 and I got 22 with mixed driving. Didn't own it long enough without the camper top to run through a tank of gas to tell what difference that may make.
     
  18. Mar 25, 2011 at 8:17 PM
    #18
    Flash1034

    Flash1034 Well-Known Member

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    MESO Stage 1.5 LED Taillights Falken Wildpeak AT3W Tires in 265/75-16
    My V-6 gets 15 MPG. Pretty crappy I reckon.

    Flash
     
  19. Mar 26, 2011 at 8:48 AM
    #19
    043RZ

    043RZ Well-Known Member

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    Matt
    Spring Grove, PA
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    2004 Tacoma SR5
    6" Fabtech Lift, OME Dakar leaf springs, BudBuilt Traction Bar, 15" American Racing Wheels, 5.29 Nitro Gears, 35" BFGs AT, Pioneer 200 Watt Stereo, 6x8 Pioneer speakers, Raised Front and Rear Diff Breathers, Deck Plate Mod, Red Interior Underglow, Red Exterior Underglow, Cool White LED Rock Lights,
    I average in town around 17 - 18 mpg and on the highway around 19 - 20 mpg. 4cyl 3RZ-FE, 5speed. I know if i had the V6 5VZ-FE pushing those tires i would be seeing around 14 MPG.
     
  20. Mar 26, 2011 at 1:11 PM
    #20
    darcfenix

    darcfenix Well-Known Member

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    Jim
    Cincinnati, OH
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    Just got back from Florida and averaged 22 mpg highway.
     

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