Why is my fuel mileage so bad???

Motorkopf · 02-06-2008, 09:52 PM

I bought my 2.7L prerunner certified used. Last week I got the best fuel mileage since I bought it in November because I drove it mostly highway at around 65mph. I got 22mpg. I've heard others getting quite a bit better than that. Anyone have any idea why my fuel mileage is so low? I was really driving with a light foot. My worst mpg so far has been about 18mpg. Or is what I'm getting pretty normal?

phantom · 02-06-2008, 10:01 PM

just a guess
a 3 inch lift doesnot help aerodynamics much , and with the lift bigger tires and rims? they don't help millage either

and think the prerunner has a lower gear in the rear end ?
i just have the 5 lug reg cab and it has a taller rear end

Janster · 02-07-2008, 03:24 AM

What's your truck rated to get in gas mileage?

3" lift isn't gonna help... if you have bigger tires, that ain't gonna help either.

Since you bought it used - have you gone through and done some maintenance and maintenance checks?

Here in PA atleast, the gas changes (formula) somewhat and it affects gas mileage a bit.

hokihigh · 02-07-2008, 08:06 AM

concrete jedi · 02-07-2008, 01:09 PM

Not to sound like a broken record but... everyone is pretty much right. Think of it this way, none of the domestics are even close to what you're getting...not even the diesels.

Motorkopf · 02-07-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janster

What's your truck rated to get in gas mileage?

3" lift isn't gonna help... if you have bigger tires, that ain't gonna help either.

Since you bought it used - have you gone through and done some maintenance and maintenance checks?

Here in PA atleast, the gas changes (formula) somewhat and it affects gas mileage a bit.

Thanks all- I have stock tires and wheels, and the gas mileage wasn't any better before the lift, but I had thought of that. I got it "Certified Used" with low miles (20K). My truck is rated 20/25, so I suppose it is well within the expected range, but I keep hearing others with the same truck getting 26, 27 and even 28mpg and I'm nowhere near that high. Maybe it's CA gas???
Thanks.

Motorkopf · 02-07-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concrete jedi

Not to sound like a broken record but... everyone is pretty much right. Think of it this way, none of the domestics are even close to what you're getting...not even the diesels.

Absolutely, and I knew I was bringing up an overused topic, but that's what these forums are for- getting others' opinions and recommendations. And I appreciate yall's feedback! It does seem like I am very much on the bottom of the spectrum of 2.7L owners for gas consumption, but you're right- it's still much better than the vast majority of other trucks.

Janster · 02-07-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorkopf

Thanks all- I have stock tires and wheels, and the gas mileage wasn't any better before the lift, but I had thought of that. I got it "Certified Used" with low miles (20K). My truck is rated 20/25, so I suppose it is well within the expected range, but I keep hearing others with the same truck getting 26, 27 and even 28mpg and I'm nowhere near that high. Maybe it's CA gas???
Thanks.

I don't know about CA gas...but I'm pretty sure the winter gas over here on the east coast is a different formula and causes worse gas mileage. I've seen it in every vehicle I've ever owned.

You can always add some fuel injector cleaner to the gas and see if that helps any....won't hurt. Check all other maintenance.... REsearch for some gas saving mod's. Tonneau covers have always worked for me. I've also had luck with either exhaust upgrade or air filter upgrades (just not exhaust AND intake upgrades together).

phantom · 02-07-2008, 02:25 PM

cal gas is winterized and worth about 2 mpg less !!!!

you can usually smell the difference when you smell around the tailpipe when you fire it up in the morning !
and if you are getting ethenol gas that hurts the millage too (arco)

squad314 · 02-07-2008, 03:40 PM

Tire pressures OK?

surfsupl · 02-07-2008, 05:18 PM

Has it had a tune up lately?....I know toyota claims some 121 point inspection but you never know?..I once bought a used "certified" truck and when I went home and looked at the filters they were dirty,the oil was dirty,4 different psi in tires,and little or no trans fluid!...WTF Toyota?...."Oh what a feeling"....my ass!

concrete jedi · 02-07-2008, 05:21 PM

Surfsupl makes a good point, check it all out.

Janster · 02-08-2008, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surfsupl

Has it had a tune up lately?....I know toyota claims some 121 point inspection but you never know?..I once bought a used "certified" truck and when I went home and looked at the filters they were dirty,the oil was dirty,4 different psi in tires,and little or no trans fluid!...WTF Toyota?...."Oh what a feeling"....my ass!

Yeah, I agree. And it doesn't matter where you take it.... If you don't do the work yourself, you can't trust these places. Unless you're lucky enough to find a good mechanic that you stick with all the time and build some trust in....

Or you gotta atleast know to check & verify that everything you paid for (in maintenance work) was done and done properly.

Anytime I buy a used vehicle - total maintenance check (like you did) and all oils changed, and everything else looked at, cleaned, etc.

mitiko · 09-21-2008, 04:44 PM

maybe you can use a scan gauge II

HerNameIsLucy · 09-21-2008, 04:52 PM

Larger tires will probably hurt mileage on acceleration since it takes more throttle to get the truck moving, but would having less revs per mile on the highway, or whenever you're up to speed, more or less make up for it?

feelinthegz · 09-21-2008, 05:46 PM

hey motorkopf, I used to live in Victorville, run as fast as you can away from Valley Hi Toyota, they are scammers including the service dept. I bought 2 Hondas when I lived there and went down the hill to buy. The funny thing is one of the cars was dealer swapped from Valley Hi. Good Luck with your truck!

Hadoken · 09-22-2008, 06:08 AM

Are you sure it's the exact same truck that people are getting 26/27/28 mpg?

I researched into getting a 4 cylinder PRERUNNER and found out that even though it is stickered with the same MPGs as the regular 5 lug model, the Prerunner has different rear end gearing than the regular 4 cylinders.

From what I have researched a regular 5 lug 4 cylinder standard Tacoma should get 24-28 and a 4 cylinder Prerunner gets about 19-23, which unfortunately is not much better than the 2WD V6.

Here is the thread on this forum where I asked about the 4cyl Prerunner MPG.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-c...acoma-mpg.html

wiscdave · 09-22-2008, 07:00 AM

tires 5 psi over door specs, Keep your foot out of it and change the air filter, run syn oil etc...all will add to your mpg.

lsocoee · 09-22-2008, 07:07 AM

everything everyone here has said is good advice. I'd also check how your tires are wearing. You may need an alignment.

Kyouto42 · 09-22-2008, 07:14 AM

Agreed with everything above. I think the ones getting 26/27 aren't pre-runners to start. When I was looking, I considered the i-4 at first but a test drive and realization there's about 3mpg different with the 4.0 was a no brainer for me... Unfortunatly crappy mpg is what we have to pay to drive a truck, any. My Ranger Edge I used to own (3.0 v6) used to get about 17-18... almost exactly what my 4.0L prerunner is getting. I doubt I need to say which is better :P

02-06-2008, 09:52 PM	#1
Motorkopf Conservative Joined: Nov 2007, #3476 Location: Victorville, CA Posts: 51 05 PreRunner SR5 2.7 Manual 2005 Access Cab Manual 2.7 3" Toytec lift, Susp TSB, Detroit True Trac, Carr side steps.	Why is my fuel mileage so bad??? I bought my 2.7L prerunner certified used. Last week I got the best fuel mileage since I bought it in November because I drove it mostly highway at around 65mph. I got 22mpg. I've heard others getting quite a bit better than that. Anyone have any idea why my fuel mileage is so low? I was really driving with a light foot. My worst mpg so far has been about 18mpg. Or is what I'm getting pretty normal? __________________ It's hip to be square.

02-07-2008, 03:24 AM	#3
Janster Pre Senior Citizen Joined: Mar 2007, #1138 Location: Lancaster, PA Age: 41 Gender: Female Posts: 2,915 2007 4.0L 4x4 TRD Sport Access Cab A 2007 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L Advantage Torza top (tri-fold), Husky floor mats, RuffTuff seat covers, C2C hood struts, Homelink mirror, Ipod2car (80gig Classic/4gig nano), Garmin Nuvi 660, Protecta Bed mat, Pop-n-lock, TSB Springs, Scangauge II, Heated drivers seat, Fumoto drain valve, Aries pushbar, PIAA 540 fog lights, Hood scoop grahics, Flowmaster 50 series dual catback exhaust.	What's your truck rated to get in gas mileage? 3" lift isn't gonna help... if you have bigger tires, that ain't gonna help either. Since you bought it used - have you gone through and done some maintenance and maintenance checks? Here in PA atleast, the gas changes (formula) somewhat and it affects gas mileage a bit. __________________ Our Homepage http://www.lieblweb.com/ My truck photo gallery http://www.lieblweb.com/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=16

02-07-2008, 03:40 PM	#10
squad314 Canadian eh? Joined: Dec 2007, #3665 Location: A highway jammed with broken Heroes on a last chance power drive. Gender: Male Posts: 778 TRD Sport 4x4,black&chrome 2007 Double Cab Automatic Trifecta tonneau,Nasta tubes,Factory cargo bars,Sirius Starmate,Ventshades,Michelin LTX 265/70/17's,All weather mats,K&N Air filter,factory roof rack.	Tire pressures OK? __________________ TacomaWorld Hockey Team #14 LW Sine Macula

09-21-2008, 04:52 PM	#15
HerNameIsLucy Chemical Disaster Master Joined: Jul 2008, #8256 Location: Slowcala, Floriduh Age: 49 Gender: Male Posts: 1,560 02 Prerunner V6 SR5 extended cab 2002 Xtra Cab Automatic 3.4 lotsa little stuff	Larger tires will probably hurt mileage on acceleration since it takes more throttle to get the truck moving, but would having less revs per mile on the highway, or whenever you're up to speed, more or less make up for it? __________________ 2009. Ok, now what?

09-21-2008, 05:46 PM	#16
feelinthegz Junior Member Joined: Aug 2008, #8621 Location: phoenix Posts: 7 09 4x2 DC, TRD sport, SPDBLUE, 2009 Double Cab Automatic	Don't go to Valley-Hi hey motorkopf, I used to live in Victorville, run as fast as you can away from Valley Hi Toyota, they are scammers including the service dept. I bought 2 Hondas when I lived there and went down the hill to buy. The funny thing is one of the cars was dealer swapped from Valley Hi. Good Luck with your truck!

02-06-2008, 10:01 PM	#2
phantom Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007, #3036 Gender: Male Posts: 1,147 base tacoma 2007 Regular Cab Automatic 2.7 hitch and wiring,bullbars,fog lights,hand made seatcovers, rear speakers in a reg cab,truck alarm,vent visors,rear view mirror,black low profile truck box, bed bolt d rings,pop & lock,bed extender, CUSTOM n-fab step bars,timbrens,sockmonkey mod	just a guess a 3 inch lift doesnot help aerodynamics much , and with the lift bigger tires and rims? they don't help millage either and think the prerunner has a lower gear in the rear end ? i just have the 5 lug reg cab and it has a taller rear end

02-07-2008, 08:06 AM	#4
hokihigh Junior Member Joined: Jun 2007, #1753 Posts: 29

02-07-2008, 01:09 PM	#5
concrete jedi Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007, #3142 Location: Rochester N.Y Age: 43 Posts: 2,678 06 Tacoma 4 door indigo blue 2006 Double Cab Manual V-6 4.0 liter Broken and scratched tailgate, cracked rear tail light lens, coffee stain in driver seat.	Not to sound like a broken record but... everyone is pretty much right. Think of it this way, none of the domestics are even close to what you're getting...not even the diesels.

02-07-2008, 02:25 PM	#9
phantom Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007, #3036 Gender: Male Posts: 1,147 base tacoma 2007 Regular Cab Automatic 2.7 hitch and wiring,bullbars,fog lights,hand made seatcovers, rear speakers in a reg cab,truck alarm,vent visors,rear view mirror,black low profile truck box, bed bolt d rings,pop & lock,bed extender, CUSTOM n-fab step bars,timbrens,sockmonkey mod	cal gas is winterized and worth about 2 mpg less !!!! you can usually smell the difference when you smell around the tailpipe when you fire it up in the morning ! and if you are getting ethenol gas that hurts the millage too (arco)

02-07-2008, 05:18 PM	#11
surfsupl @ Joined: Jan 2008, #4161 Location: USA Posts: 457 2009 TRD D/C 2009 Double Cab Automatic V6 Toyota seat covers, Toyota bed mat, Toyota CAI, Alpine 9884, 3" ToyTec lift, TRD Super Charger, Westin Bull Bar, KC Lights	Has it had a tune up lately?....I know toyota claims some 121 point inspection but you never know?..I once bought a used "certified" truck and when I went home and looked at the filters they were dirty,the oil was dirty,4 different psi in tires,and little or no trans fluid!...WTF Toyota?...."Oh what a feeling"....my ass!

02-07-2008, 05:21 PM	#12
concrete jedi Senior Member Joined: Oct 2007, #3142 Location: Rochester N.Y Age: 43 Posts: 2,678 06 Tacoma 4 door indigo blue 2006 Double Cab Manual V-6 4.0 liter Broken and scratched tailgate, cracked rear tail light lens, coffee stain in driver seat.	Surfsupl makes a good point, check it all out.

09-21-2008, 04:44 PM	#14
mitiko Member Joined: Sep 2008, #9163 Location: lax Posts: 84 05 prerunner trd 2005 Double Cab Automatic v6	maybe you can use a scan gauge II

09-22-2008, 06:08 AM	#17
Hadoken Junior Member Joined: Jul 2008, #7956 Posts: 25	Are you sure it's the exact same truck that people are getting 26/27/28 mpg? I researched into getting a 4 cylinder PRERUNNER and found out that even though it is stickered with the same MPGs as the regular 5 lug model, the Prerunner has different rear end gearing than the regular 4 cylinders. From what I have researched a regular 5 lug 4 cylinder standard Tacoma should get 24-28 and a 4 cylinder Prerunner gets about 19-23, which unfortunately is not much better than the 2WD V6. Here is the thread on this forum where I asked about the 4cyl Prerunner MPG. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-c...acoma-mpg.html

09-22-2008, 07:00 AM	#18
wiscdave Lets Do It!! Joined: Mar 2008, #5392 Location: NE WI Age: 35 Posts: 450 08 44 DC TRD Sport LB 2008 Double Cab Automatic* AFE Stage 2 - with proguard 7 - 2 P3 shallow mount 10s in Supercrew Box - Punch 601s	tires 5 psi over door specs, Keep your foot out of it and change the air filter, run syn oil etc...all will add to your mpg.

09-22-2008, 07:07 AM	#19
lsocoee Why am I always the little spoon? Joined: Feb 2007, #872 Location: Metairie, LA Gender: Dude Posts: 6,617 2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab Long B 2007 Double Cab Automatic V-6 Bed mat, URD CAI, URD MAF Calibrator, C2C Hood Struts, Wet Okole Seat Covers, Pop-n-Lok, Wet Okole Underwear	everything everyone here has said is good advice. I'd also check how your tires are wearing. You may need an alignment.

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09-22-2008, 07:14 AM	#20
Kyouto42 Senior Member Joined: Aug 2008, #8614 Location: Maricopa City, AZ Age: 24 Posts: 184 08 PreRunner SR5 TRD OR 2008 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L V6	Agreed with everything above. I think the ones getting 26/27 aren't pre-runners to start. When I was looking, I considered the i-4 at first but a test drive and realization there's about 3mpg different with the 4.0 was a no brainer for me... Unfortunatly crappy mpg is what we have to pay to drive a truck, any. My Ranger Edge I used to own (3.0 v6) used to get about 17-18... almost exactly what my 4.0L prerunner is getting. I doubt I need to say which is better :P __________________ "O pitiful shadow bound in darkness, looking down upon others and causing them pain, a soul drowned in sinful karma... Want to try dying this once?" — Enma Ai. (Jikogu Shoujo)