Fuel Economy

I recently bought my first Toyota in the form of a 2006 Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab Short Bed. I must say that I do love this truck. However, I am a little concerned with the fuel economy and was wondering if what I am experiencing is "normal."

My truck now was 1800 miles on it. The first tank of gas was 87 Octane and I got 18.5 mpg on just highway driving (50-65 mph). The 2nd tank was 87 again, but this time I got 17.5 Third tank at 87 was 17.5. I thought I would try the premium octane (91) next tank and this time I got 16.5. Next tank I tried 89 Octane and got 15.5. The currently tank of gas I am on, I filled back up with 87 Octane. My fuel gauge (which is just a "gauge") is just above 1/4 tank left and I haven't even hit 200 miles yet! I mainly drive a mixture of highway and city driving. I fill up at the same gas station every time.

Is this normal?? The rating for my Tacoma is 17 City and 21 Highway. I realize these are just estimates, but everyone I know that has a Toyota vehicle typically gets well within the estimated fuel economy if not better. I am frustrated because I got rid of my Chevy S10 that got 16 mpg for a Tacoma hoping to get slightly better.

Please respond and let me know if this is normal. Bottom line is that most cars/trucks get close to 400 miles on a tank of gas and my Tacoma is getting only a little over 300.

Should I take this into the dealer???

 

Try this thread...

Tacoma Fuel Economy

 

Is it a standard or automatic? A lot depends on your driving style, you know. Are you currently driving in a colder climate? Have you considered your idling/warm up time in the MPG calculation?

 

It is an automatic V6. I live in Western Maryland. I let the truck

Maybe this is just a Toyota thing, but I have never had a car/truck that has consistently gotten worse than the advertised MPG. That is why I am frustrated.

 

I've haven't yet seen a car/truck ack as yours has... I would suggest that if it continues to drop, take it to the dealer and ask why. Depending on how the service is at that dealership, they'll either just say, "wait until the end of the break-in period" or they'll dig around and see if there is anything obviously wrong. I figure, it has a warranty so make them back up their good quality! Our V6 automatic never got that low on the gas mileage, even during the break-in period. Toyota makes award winning cars and trucks! It shouldn't misbehave!
I'm sure there will be a happy ending to this scenario, you just have to find it!

 

My Nissan Titan (which is soon to be replaced by a V6 Tacoma) gets 11.2mpg! Posted mileage is 14-19

 

My MPG is pretty bad as well, but it is consistently bad and slowly getting better with the more miles that I put on the truck.

Here is what it looks like (mind you I have a 2.7L PreRunner 5spd):

Tank1: 23
Tank2: 21
Tank3: 20
Tank4: 24
Tank5: 21
Tank6: 20
Tank7: 21
Tank8: 21
Tank9: 22
Tank10: 22

 

Out of curiosity, how long was your break in period on your V6?

 

We're probably still in out break-in period... only 3,800 miles. I didn't keep as good a record of my mpg as you, but we had one 16 mpg and the rest 18.5 and 18 mpg.

 

Mine has gone down consistently with the cold weather, which probably also affects the kind of gas sold around here. I'm down from 18 to 15.1mpg.

 

does the cold make that much of a diff it doesnt get that cold around here so i dont know

 

I don't know how much it will effect mpg, but the engine will run at higher RPMs until it reaches its desired temperature. Plus it is hard on the engine to work it hard when it is cold so you have to start out slow and easy until it all warms up. Most people will let it idle for 5-10 minutes in their driveway as the engine and the cab warms up. That idling will skew the calculated mpg.

 

In my 07 manual they say break in is only about 1000 miles, so you've nearly doubled that.

Any other factors like hills? Long stop lights? I'm getting about 18.5 on my '07 V6 DC pre-runner - in heavy city traffic so lot's of idling.

 

That's actually really good MPG for a DC V6 - especially for intown.

 

Yeah true - but's it's a completely empty truck

 

Currently on a trip to Cal. from Okla. Truck now has 4500+ miles. Started out getting 18+ mpg when purchased. Last tankful got 22.8 mpg. This was at 70 mph as we are traveling with friends driving an RV. Consistently now getting almost 23 at that speed with a partial load.

07 TRD Sport Double cab long bed 4.0 V6 with auto.

 

I have to say - that is fairly rare mileage to see out of a DC V6 Auto. Good job!

 

Listerines,

I've also recorded some of the same mpg (22.5) but it was at
a constant speed and a lot of drafting. Yesterday though, I
was in a strong headwind and it dropped to 15.7 on the slab.
Plus during a day of Metro-Moto I got less than 15 mpg. But I
may have been bending a traffic law or two that day too.


OWAF

Andy

 

Congrats on the mpgs! That is the same config as my truck, but I haven't done any all highway road trips yet. it is all city driving and wse get 18.5 mpg.
Out of curiosity... do you have a Tonneau cover or any mods on your truck?

 

Yes, have an Access Literider soft cover. No other mods. Good luck with yours.