20MPG to 13...WTF?

Yes , I did tires are still ok. I guess I may just have to suck it up til warmer weather and go from there.
Ironic that you responded,I was just thinking of emailing you last nite also. I read your awesome write up on seat heater install on your webpage and I'm seriously considering doing it my self! Maybe next week after the holiday? Your probably only an hour drive from me.

 

I worked in the oil and gas industry for years and I am just guessing about this, but I would suspect that the EPA has allowed the industry to put more butane into the gas this winter than normal in certain northern states. It is cheaper for the refinery to manufacturer, EPA claims it lowers emissions, and the consumer suffers from lower MPG.

If you want to test this theory out find some AV gas (racing gas) that is not tampered with because of EPA regulations. Run the tank near empty and fill it up and see the difference in MPG.

 

you folks are funny.

during a cold snap here, the warden will see single digits for mpg. the lowest she has hit is 8.851 mpg. and that wasn't towing or sand bags in the back during winter.

 

Hello fellow Pennsylvanian!
I love that seat heater!! I hope toyota puts them in the 3rd gen or else I'll have to do another install.

You don't necessarily have to 'suck it up'. There's too many variables to consider 'why'. Keep monitoring it....tank by tank, which gas stations you visit, etc. You might discover something or you might not. But remember, not all gas stations are created equal and not all gas is the same. I remember (on my 1st gen) having knocking & pinging problems... it took a while, but it ended up being BJ's gas!!

That seat heater install wasn't too bad. I think the worst part was removing those damn hog rings on the seat side. Good Luck!!!
These heaters are still going strong. I can't even remember when I did that....

 

Putting transmission in "learn mode".

Read post number 8 in the thread below - written by someone with 28 yrs. Toyota dealer experience.

The post is from a Toyota Car forum. Can't help but suspect the concept would cross over to Toyota trucks as well.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...nging-battery-erase-tsb-transmission-fix.html

This might help with the "hunting" the transmission may be doing.

All this aside, I agree with comments about inferior gasoline. Oil companies are taking it in the butt right now.

 

Join the club...my MPG took a big hit last winter...

In additiona to winter gas, lots of idle warm-up time and lots of 4WD is what I figure:

 

Same for me in pa also. Leveled with 265 coopers in the summer I was getting 22 mpg on the highways with the cruise at 65. Just went to Erie an back last weekend and averaged 18 mph, drove closer to 70mph but I'm sure the decrease was due to winter fuel.

 

Maybe show that MAF some love, too.

 

Just how would one go about showing affection to said MAF?

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/94203-how-throttle-body-cleaning-2005-v6.html

 

Nice write up! Thanks for the link. Best forum ever

 

yea just stay on your side of the river....

 

I remove the intake pipe that goes from the airbox to the fender during the winter so my engine gets warmer air. Seems to help fuel mileage a bit, and any power losses aren't noticeable.

 

Just like A WAC except the entrance is smaller

 

Mine has dropped lately too, but I'm in Tx.

Just did a road trip to NC and got 13 mpg on my worst tank. 17 on my best. I assume my poor mileage is result of slightly larger and somewhat considerably heavier tires combined with driving around 80+ mph (speed limit is 75 or 80 in some areas of Tx).

Normally, I get about 18.5 during a week of commuting to work (50 mi. round trip cruising between 50-70 mph).

 

In the last two weeks I've noticed a SIGNIFICANT drop in mpg's. I have an 09 PreRunner Double Cab Long Bed and drove DFW-Nashville multiple times getting close to 20mpg (best I've got since I put bigger... but not huge tires).

Soon as I returned home I had a chain auto service place change my oil before heading out on another trip. Immediately I began to see 13-14 mpg. Things I've considered:
-cold temps (0-20 deg F)
-massive headwinds and crosswinds
-hitch bike rack --> added drag
-Oil level checked after having someone else change it
-air filter properly installed (I've heard they'll fowl it up to bring you back and spend more money)

Plans for maintenance:
-MAF / throttle body cleaning
-Spark plug replacement

Posting up to see if anyone has pointers and/or experience with sudden drops in mpgs. Planning to do those things tomorrow (thanks to TW for the tips for first timers!)

 

probably a combination of the winter gas and the cold temps. if you have a short commute, the truck will not be warmed up through the whole trip and it will burn gas faster until it is

 

The mileage I saw was not during a commute at all. I just returned from a trip to Denver and saw the same terrible mileage going up into Colorado and back down, out of the mountains. I know that the truck dumps fuel in during warm up period but I'm talk about reaching the half tank mark by the time I've driven 125 miles doing no more than 75mph.

I like seeing the possibility of getting my truck to do at least 22mpg (since you 4x4s are getting that that kind of mileage, I better be able to make it possible! haha)

 

Personally, I think it is the winter gas. I dropped from 19 to 16 around November. I run 265/75/16 ST Maxxs on my 2012.

 

My last 2 tanks have been 13 mpg ( US ) as well