Terrible Gas Mileage on Brand New 4-cylinder Automatic

I bought a new 2013 Tacoma 2.7L PreRunner, 4-door, automatic, because my research indicated these trucks averaged about 22mpg in the real world. I have about 3000 miles on it now and it averages about 17mpg, and has never gone over 17.8, even on the highway. The dealer is telling me it needs to have a relatively long break-in period (at least 15k miles) before I will see the real gas mileage improve. He said they will do a consumption test on it when I bring it in for the 5k mile checkup.

If what the dealer said is true then great, but I'm afraid I may have a lemon here and I need some ammunition. Could you guys give me some feedback on what your newer model 4-cylinder Tacomas are getting on gas mileage, particularly when they were new?

 

My 2010 single cab was bought in October 2012. It had 6600 miles. I was getting 20-21 city. With the summer fuel I can pull down 22-23 city.

Having the 4 door will add weight to yours that mine doesn't have. The size of tires can be another issue.

Welcome!!!!

 

15k break is in complete bullshit.

things like tire pressure, where you live, temperature, all effect gas mileage, break-in should be no more then 500 miles (in my opinion).

 

horrible gas mileage stories are 'just noise' unless you
post driving conditions, speed, hills, tires installed...all the details

if you have

stock tires at stock pressures
and go 55 mph and
are not heavy on the gas
and not loaded with cargo
and using 87 octane with 15 percent or less ethanol
and not cliimbing hills all day long

you will easily beat 22mpg


better yet get a scangauge and watch how your driving habits and right foot affect mileage

I can get 24mpg from my 6cyl Tacoma all day long, or I can get 14mpg...it all
depends on where I drive and how I command the inputs. I average 17 around town
and 20.8 on highway

 

I don't think I would call that "terrible" gas mileage. Sub-par maybe. I'd say your motor has seated the rings by 1500 miles. But it hasn't settled in and loosened up until 10K-15K. If you're wanting maximum mileage then you have to drive like there's an egg under the pedal. Just don't get in a hurry and you'll be fine.

 

More info is needed. I've gone over 500 miles on a tank before on the highway taking it easy, trying to watch the RPM, and doing some drafting. I've also gotten barely 230 miles on a tank before on the highway with the truck loaded up and pulling a trailer through a mountain range on a deadline. Similar situation with city driving.

There is a 2013 DC PreRunner SR5 2.7 Auto with P245/75R16 Dunlops. Stock, no mods on fuelly averaging 22 mpg with a best of 25 though.

 

This person pays significant attention to how they drive, documents it and lives in Alabama. Pretty flat and warm climate. As mentioned conditions rule here.

Give it time and you should be over 20 if the conditions mentioned above apply to your area. A few mpg isn't going to make much of a difference in cost unless you drive a lot. The 4 door weight hurts you on acceleration and hills. Good luck and enjoy the truck.

 

Describe your commute and speed, I bet there is nothing wrong with your truck, just your driving conditions. If you have a 4 mile drive forget meeting EPA mpg.

If you drive 60 for 30 miles with light traffic you should easily beat 25 mpg.

If you drive 70-80 forget it.

 

I get about 22-24 mpg. Mostly highway. Drive about 30 miles to work one way. 55-75 mph if traffic is clear. Live in socal.
2013 2.7 Prerunner 4 door auto 4x2. 1000 miles on the odometer. Stock tires & suspension. Removed secondary filter and added afi dry filter. Filters didnt make any difference in mpg. Have a scangauge ii. Same 22-24 mpg since day one. Same mpg after filters too. No difference. No complaints.

 

This is probably it. When I first got mine, I was expecting great mileage and was disappointed. Then I found the Fuel Tank Challenge thread as well as others pertaining to mileage and how to maximize it. It wasn't something wrong with the truck but how I drove it.

 

I appreciate all the info. I have to say the feedback varies quite a bit. After reading the replies, I feel slightly better about my mpg. My driving conditions are pretty constant. Mon - Fri I have a 20-mile round trip to work on the highway with slight hills. I drive about 70 and am not heavy on the pedal. Rarely use cruise control because it causes too much downshifting. Tires are P265/65R17. I did the math on tire diameter effect on mileage and that is neglegible. At this point, it appears to me the factors that are having the greatest affect on my gas mileage are - break-in, 4-door weight, driving speed, and PreRunner rear end ratio (I am going to find out for sure what that ratio is). I sure hope the mpg imporoves because I sacrificed the power of a V6 for that reason, and I'd hate to think I could be getting better gas mileage with a V6.

 

70 mph; that'll do it. Over 52 mph sucks the fuel back. Change the diff oils over to synthetic, also.

 

When going down the hills take your foot off the gas. That will help. Are your tires the standard tires?

 

I had the same issue when I purchased my 4cly new (18mpg). I’msure experience has varied amounts members but at 20k you’ll be happy, believeme. These are strong engines with tight specs, just go easy on it and allow thevalves and rings to sit proper and all friction points to wear in smoothly.Good luck…

 

just filled up for the first time in my new 13 2.7 RC 4x4 auto. almost all city driving: 21mpg

 

I have a '13 prerunner 4 cyl. dc with about 2k miles on it. Average tanks I am getting around 22-23. Worst Tank so far was 20 mpg. I have been driving it pretty light but have been really impressed so far.

 

my 02 4banger/auto prerunner dc gets 20mpg average. My route is a variable speed of 25 35 and 40mph zones...I rarely get over 55mph unless I'm late for work... it's all up and down hills mostly and a/c blasting on the way home! My old 86sr5 w/5spd manual w/out a/c isn't too much better!

 

I have a 2012 double cab 2.7 prerunner with 7k miles and I consistently average 21mpg. I was expecting to get better gas mileage than that.

 

2013 Access cab, 2.7 prerunner SR5, 22mpg average city driving, I keep my tires at 38psi. I took out the charcoal filter inside the airbox lid/AFE air filter/TRD exhaust.

 

Hello,
I have a Toyota tacoma accesscab, 4 cyl. 4x2
and I have same probrem, I am getting a very poor gas milege,
I went last long weekend to San Diego, and i got 14 miles a galon,
I tought it was only my truck,
I did the same thing, I took the truck to the dealer and they told me that the gas milege depends on the driving condition,
Also I have a 1991 Toyota pick up, and i am getting with this 22 miles a gallon,
I Don't know where these guys calculate the gas/milege,
or the truck has a problem.