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Poor fuel economy

Discussion in '4 Cylinder' started by Silver Streak, Jan 8, 2013.

  1. Jan 8, 2013 at 5:01 PM
    #1
    Silver Streak

    Silver Streak [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My 2011 tacoma with the 2.7L has had a pretty drastic drop in fuel economy lately. I know in the winter its common to have somewhat of a drop due to colder weather. But my fuel economy has gone from about 21 mpg to almost 17 mpg average. nearly 5 miles per gallon. That seems like a bit much and has me wondering if i have something wrong with my truck. Anybodey else notice this or have any problems like this?
     
  2. Jan 8, 2013 at 5:04 PM
    #2
    RelentlessFab

    RelentlessFab Eric @Relentless Fab Vendor

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    Mine went from 18-19 down to 14-15 lately. Its all about the winter gas and cold weather leading to long warm-ups
     
  3. Jan 8, 2013 at 5:10 PM
    #3
    Silver Streak

    Silver Streak [OP] Well-Known Member

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    well thats reassuring at least. definatley noticed that it has the longer warm ups, ideling higher for longer.
     
  4. Jan 8, 2013 at 5:10 PM
    #4
    T Fades

    T Fades Well-Known Member

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    Wonder if the colder, more dense air is also dragging the mpg's down (more friction), in addition to the longer warm-up times.
     
  5. Jan 8, 2013 at 5:17 PM
    #5
    texascolt45

    texascolt45 Well-Known Member

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    groves texas
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    i got 265/75-15's with a level kit.i'm 19 no matter what
     
  6. Jan 8, 2013 at 5:29 PM
    #6
    RDtres

    RDtres Well-Known Member

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    I feel your pain. My v6 tacoma was averaging 18-19 last spring when i bought it new. The last few tank have been 14-15. IMO This is horrible, so much so that im thinking about selling it to buy a dodge diesel with 25mpg. This makes me sad :(
     
  7. Jan 8, 2013 at 5:41 PM
    #7
    Silver Streak

    Silver Streak [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Makes me want to sell my truck too. but im hoping my fuel economy bounces back when spring rolls around
     
  8. Jan 8, 2013 at 5:49 PM
    #8
    ziggynagy

    ziggynagy All Glory To The Hypnotoad

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    Cooler air and winter blend fuel eats into mpg
     
  9. Jan 9, 2013 at 5:53 AM
    #9
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia Everyone lives downstream.

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    Colder air is more densely packed with oxygen molecules, and since the engine draws a fixed volume of air, there is more oxygen available for burning when its colder. The A/F ratio needs to be maintained for a proper burn to take place, so the ECU raises the amount of fuel injected into the mixture in order to compensate for the extra oxygen in colder air. This produces a bigger bang, but at the cost of efficiency.
     
  10. Jan 9, 2013 at 6:13 AM
    #10
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia Everyone lives downstream.

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    Colder air is more densely packed with oxygen molecules, and since the engine draws a fixed volume of air, there is more oxygen available for burning when its colder. The A/F ratio needs to be maintained for a proper burn to take place, so the ECU raises the amount of fuel injected into the mixture in order to compensate for the extra oxygen in colder air. This produces a bigger bang, but at the cost of efficiency.
     
  11. Jan 9, 2013 at 6:15 AM
    #11
    ecoterragaia

    ecoterragaia Everyone lives downstream.

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    Sorry for the double post, dont know what happened there . . .
     
  12. Jan 9, 2013 at 8:52 AM
    #12
    phsycle

    phsycle Well-Known Member

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    In addition to what has been said, most states run at least 10% ethanol in winter, which in my experience caused about a 10% drop in MPG. Another small factor is that dense air is harder to push through, causing even more drop in MPG (albeit not that much). This is like going from Aspen CO (5k ft) to New Orleans (at or below sea level). More power, but worse MPG.
     
  13. Jan 9, 2013 at 10:02 AM
    #13
    whahahajr

    whahahajr Lone Star Club

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    Depending on the price of the new truck and diesel it will not be worth it. I work for Dodge I've seen tons of people trade in for a diesel just for fuel mileage. If you need a diesel then go for it. Let me know if you need any parts.

    Oh and what Ram gets 25mpg. The 5.9L 2wd were lucky to be getting around 20 21. The 6.7L pssst. Keep in mind too if your buying new that our diesels take around 60-100k to break in to be getting better gas mileage too.
     
  14. Jan 9, 2013 at 10:34 AM
    #14
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Check your brakes for signs they are dragging, lube your driveshaft, make sure your tires are properly inflated, and make sure your trans, engine, diff, xfer-case fluids are all up to date. Make sure there is no water in the diffs as well.
     
  15. Jan 9, 2013 at 10:35 AM
    #15
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    Hitch and wiring, aux back-up light, rear strobe lights, radio and underseat sub.
    Check air filter, and run through some Seafoam too.
     
  16. Jan 9, 2013 at 2:15 PM
    #16
    DGXR

    DGXR Well-Known Member

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    Back in October I was getting close to 25mpg but my latest tank was barely over 21. *Nothing* has changed except the weather and the fuel blend.
     
  17. Jan 9, 2013 at 6:35 PM
    #17
    maxpower29

    maxpower29 Well-Known Member

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    colder weather, longer idles, and winter gas. Mine has also
     
  18. Jan 9, 2013 at 7:52 PM
    #18
    adrstout

    adrstout Well-Known Member

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    2.5" lift, 265/75r16 Cooper AT3, All Pro Front Skid, KBVoodoo bed rack, a bunch of other random stuff
    I've gone from 20-21 on every tank with boring consistency to between 16 and 20. My wife was driving it a lot during the crazy snow we had (her focus couldn't get out of the driveway for a while) and I blame her ;)

    For me though, I think it is what everyone has said: longer idle times, takes longer to warm up, maybe more time in 4wd with snow/ice, winter blend gas, etc. I also just switched from 245/75r16 tires to 265/75s so it is hard for me to pinpoint a culprit. However, since taking back my truck full time from the wife and watching the fuel gauge, I think I will be back up to 20 mpg this tank..
     
  19. Jan 9, 2013 at 8:57 PM
    #19
    tacowagon

    tacowagon Well-Known Member

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    Since buying my truck a month ago, I was thinking the same thing. I've only ran a few tanks through the truck and average about 16mpg. I thought it was the truck, but after reading this thread, I'm glad I'm not the only one. We're getting closer to spring....

    specs: 11 4wd sr5, 2.7L, 20k miles, afe pro dry drop in filter, secondary filter mod, and stock tires.
     
  20. Jan 9, 2013 at 8:58 PM
    #20
    Jeffvt0508

    Jeffvt0508 Well-Known Member

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    i'm a 4.0L but I went from 21mpg to 19.5mpg ....
     

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