How to increase fuel mileage?

He guys,
This is my first post, and being a newby, not sure if I'm posting in the right location or not, so any help would be appreciated. I have an 01 Tacoma with a 2.7L, Automatic trans, 2 WD, 31" tires x16 rims, and if I have decoded the door plate correctly, I have 4.56 gears. I am opting for fuel mileage above performance in this truck since I drive a long distance in town with it. My question is: To get better fuel mileage should I change the gear, if so what ratio with the current tire size and automatic transmission? If there is another proven route to increase mileage which way should I go?
Thanks Guys,
Martin

 

How many mpg are you currently getting?

 

Go back to the stock tire size in an "aggressive" street tire tread.
Offroad tread is not good for mileage.
31" tires are hurting you.

If you have a Prerunner, your stock tire size was 225/75-15. A comparable 16" tire would be 225/70-16, but even a 245/70-16 would be an improvement over the 31's and would look more in line with a 2nd Gen Prerunner.

 

Is that a 5-lug or pre-runner?

 

4.56 gears, I would assume prerunner.
5-lug ran 195/75-14... 205/75-15 were an option.

 

That was my guess, I honestly don't know anything 1st generation. Seems to been more gear ratios available then?

 

move your seat back a few clicks.

 

I'm currently getting 20.6 mpg, the actual tire size is 265-75-16, and it is a 6 lug. Any more idea's?
Martin

 

You are getting good mileage.

/thread

 

4.56 gears and 31" tires are stock for this vehicle. Don't mess with that.

Narrower, less aggressive tires will help.
Don't drive above 65mph.
Foot off the gas when going down hill.

I have basically the same vehicle, and I get anywhere from
19 to 24 mpg on a tank, depending on the type of driving.

 

20.6 MPG is respectable but you can do better with a 4-banger.

• Slow down. In my experience, this is the biggest factor. On my V6 4x4 5-spd, 75 MPH versus 65 MPH cuts the mileage 15%.
• As much as possible, roll up to lights and stop signs.
• I coast down hills (clutch in so it's free-wheeling) but I'm not sure if that's advisable with an automatic.

 

I've read several posts saying an ultraguage will help you since it displays real time gas mileage.

I don't have one myself but it's in the plans for the truck I have.

 

Not much you can do but the following could help:

Smaller street tires
Change spark plugs
Change spark plug wires
Clean MAF
Clean throttle body
(then reset the computer)
Change fuel filter
Drive slower

 

Get a festiva!

 

Honestly, there's not a hell of a lot you can do. My 2.7l xterra cab 4x4 was getting 23mpgs highway and 21 around town and 19-20 in the winter. but I had a 5-spd, you have an auto, and its not going to be as efficient. You may see a slight improvement as it gets warmer, as we're just getting into spring time.

Spark plugs could be a worthwhile investment, it prob wont change your mileage much, but at least it's good fr your engine if nothing else. You could also try the dec plate mod, thats cheap. A smaller tire size, and a lighter tire could help some. But tires and especially changing the gearing are expensive options, both costing $600-1000. That's a lot of money worth of gasoline. You're wallet will be best off just leaving it the way it is and enjoying your ~20-21 mpgs.

 

Like Chris said^. You won't save 600+ dollars of gas.
Also, if you get a ultra gauge, you are looking at $100+ and I bet that would take a bit to recuperate.

 

Mine has definitely paid for itself. They are $61 after rebate. Plus they double as a code-checker.

Even if my mileage has only improved 2%, it still has already paid for itself.

 

No-go on an automatic.
Idle speed won't keep the front pump running strong enough for highway speed.

 

I also have an Ultraguage. Many uses other than monitering mileage. You can check codes, clear codes, set an alarm for pending codes, etc.

You can also display the output of most sensors, like the TPS, intake temp, engine temp, MAF, 02, etc. Great for trouble shooting.

At idle, the computer shuts off the injectors almost completely, so the instantaneous mpg jumps way up when coasting, in gear, with foot off the go-pedal. Momentarily, I've seen up to 190 mpg. A real eye-opener.