Fuel Mileage Drop question

I have a 2011 Tacoma double cab, long bed, with 4.0 v6, with 6" lift and 35" tires. Was getting right at 16 MPG. All of the sudden it has dropped to 13 MPG.

What could be the issue?

 

Winter gas?

 

x2 More than likely. Your running 35's..dont forget that either. 13mpg isn't that bad for your truck.

There is a lot to factor is with fuel mileage. It could be numerous reasons why your mileage has dropped. Winter blend plays a big factor right now

 

Yup I run 33's and a 3" lift here in MN and with the colder weather and winter gas I am getting about 15-16mpg.

 

He is in texas do they even get 'winter gas'?

I know in ohio when the temp is below 20 I lose a few mpg and my truck is stock.

 

winter gas and cool temps..... my mpgs went from consistantly 19mpg over summer to 17 this winter here in so cal with the change in gas formulation and cool temps.

 

Ditto on everything you said-- In MN with a 2005 DCLB 33's (34's actually) 3" lift and am getting 15-16 no exaggeration. The other thing that sucks is if i am driving fast, against strong wind or pulling something it drops to 12-13 pretty fast.

 

I'm in Florida, we get the beautiful winter blend.

 

You say all of a sudden. When did this sudden change happen? If it was like within the last few days or a week then you most likely have some mechanical problem. If it happened a couple months ago then it is most likely a winter blend change. Also I am assuming you have not changed your driving habits such as warming up your vehicle and leaving it running while someone goes into a store.

Someone asked if Texas gets the winter blend. Yes, but not everyplace and the blend is not the same everyplace we get it. You can read about it here and see the chart for Texas and other states.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/gasolinefuels/volatility/standards.htm

 

I'm in Texas and just experienced the same thing. Just got my Tacoma in November (so it's still all stock) and for three tanks I got ~18.5 then on a trip from central to west Texas over the Christmas holidays my mileage dropped to 16! Several folks said it's because of the 75mph speed limit and Tacoma's get crappy mileage over 65mph. One fill up since and I'm still at 16, not very happy. 16mpg doesn't justify the smaller truck when I could have had a SuperCrew F150 that got 16. Love my Tacoma, but still, 16! If it's the gas I'm hoping for a normal blend soon.

 

I am from Davenport, Fl

As for the gas mielage, if your gas station switched to an ethenol blend that will also affect mileage.

 

I have had this truck for 2 prior winters and never had this issue. It was all of the sudden. I was getting 16 mpg a month ago. Got an oil change and then it went down. Don't understand how an oil change could do it. Not sure if the MAF sensor or some other device is flawed.

 

As I previously mentioned, stations are switching to an ethanol blend without notice. It is cheaper, one of the reasons gas prices have fallen as quickly. So take into account the ethanol addition and winter blend and you get worse mpgs

 

Any switch is not about ethanol, but butane. The amount of ethanol remains the same winter or summer. Read about that here.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/fuel-consumption/summer-fuel1.htm
Also the switch is not because of pricing, but winter temperatures and environment. Any price drop for winter gas would only be a few pennies. The price drop we are experiencing is because of the price of oil per barrel has dropped not because of a blend change.

 

You are right An oil change cannot change your MPG. Since there are no codes finding what caused the change might be a problem. You might start with cleaning the MAF and see if that does any good. Also check your air filter for any blockage.

 

Truck is fattening up for the winter.

Nailed it!

 

You are correct, however...nevermind... If yall want better gas mileage buy a car.

 

Ok, so I cleaned the MAF sensor and disconnected the battery for 30 minutes, reseting the computer. I just filled up to see if the MPG changes back to what it was. Will keep you up to date. Should be about 1 week from now.

 

My last tank was back up, 18.3 mpg. Maybe someone "borrowed" some of that last tank.

Hopefully your's will come back up as well.

 

Update,
last tank: 13.1
Cleaning
1st tank: 14.7

Will see if it gets any better.