Fuel Economy

I started out getting 18-19mpg and I put on a TRD Intake and Magnaflow exhaut. I thought i would get better milage but it went down to 15-16mpg with the same type of driving.

 

when i got my truck i got 300 miles per tank for about 5 tanks and now my might get 260 if i drive nice but it leveld out 250 to 250 miles per tank i got worried when i had mine also

 

The dealer won't do anything, your stuck, my 2007 V6 4X4 get 20MPG it was rated for 28MPG, they lie and will give you the run around, some one should do somthing spread the word tacomas do net get the specified fuel rating

 

Huh? Naw....your not serious are you? I knew by looking at that sticker in the window, doing extensive internet reseach, reading Consumer Reports (while peeking to see if Brad and Jennifer were getting back together...National Enquirer) in cash register lines and for a 4X4 28 MPG wasn't even an opition. Here...

Fuel Economy (city / hwy): Four-Wheel Drive

2.7L 159 hp I4 4.0L 236 hp V6
5-Speed Automatic Overdrive N/A 18 / 21 mpg
5-Speed Manual Overdrive 19 / 23 mpg N/A
6-Speed Manual Overdrive N/A 16 / 20 mpg

Fuel Economy (city / hwy): Rear-Wheel Drive

2.7L 159 hp I4 4.0L 236 hp V6
4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 21 / 27 mpg N/A
5-Speed Automatic Overdrive N/A 19 / 22 mpg
5-Speed Manual Overdrive 23 / 28 mpg N/A
6-Speed Manual Overdrive N/A 17 / 21 mpg

Now if you failed to do the research and didn't do any comparison shopping.....well....I'll stop right here and allow my imagination run wild.

 

Seems like the most reasonable scenario you mileage has gone down is because of the seasonal 'blended' fuel probably available in your area. Also, I would try another station. Even though all the stations purchase the same 'base fuel' the additives that each brand of gas adds or doesn't can make a difference. It's these additives that can affect performance and mileage. Obviously, driving techniques, environmental and terrain have an effect on engine performance; however, using a higher octane(at least in the Tacoma V6) and experiencing a reduction in performance can only be explained by either or a combination of blended fuel or something mechanical(exp...ECU not adjusting mixture). Also, I wish the 'myth' of engine break-in would be put to rest. The engines built today are of much tighter tolerances and don't require the lengthy break-in as experienced from previous generation engines. In fact, documentation will show most 'modern' engines are fully broke-in by 500 miles or less. Furthermore, to attest to this... this is why you now see many performance vehicles now come equipped with full-synthetic oil from the factory.

 

Even if there is a very short break-in period, I am seeing the mileage on my 2.7L slowly increase as I continue to put miles on it. My driving habits haven't changed (eventhough I tried), and the drive/environment hasn't changed either. My mileage suffers when I sit in traffic, but for the most part it is slowly coming up. Started of ~20 MPG and I have worked up to ~24 MPG now - 10K miles later.

 

I changed the oil and immediately went from 14-15mgs to 17-18.

 

Really? What kind of oil are you using?

 

I too have experienced increase in mileage after the first 3K miles which may or may not be attributed to the break in period. I went from 19.5MPG to now consistently hitting 22-23MPG. I have a ScanGauge and lately my MPG has been even higher(around 24-25). This could be due to an innexhaustive list which includes, warmer temperatures, conservative driving, and breaking in the engine. I am scheduled for my first oil change in about 2 weeks and I am interested to see if there are any effects on mileage.

 

I am EXTREMELY curious about your ScanGauge.

Is it the ScanGauge II?
How much did you pay for it?
Where did you get it from?
Have you tried reprogramming any of the variables in the ECU?

I am looking at getting a ScanGauge II and a URD MAF Sensor Calibrator, but I wonder. If I go with the ScanGauge II, can I use it to reprogram the MAF signal just like the MAF Sensor Calibrator would be doing anyway???

I have been told that the MAF Sensor Calibrator can yield the 2.7Ls an extra ~10-12 HP at the wheels. I would sure like to do that without buying $380 worth of parts.

Cheers!

 

Nice truck. Oh yeah, BTW - WELCOME TO TW!!!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome.

The scangauge II (what I have) is 169.99 I believe if you go to scangauge.com you can order it.

I have not attempted to reprogram any variables nor do I think you can. I primarily use the device to give me an instant readout of my MPG along with several other trip functions. I know that the scangauge connects to the OBD plug underneath your stearing column and it can be used to read "check engine" codes and also reset them. You may want to direct your last question about the compatibility and adjusting your MAF sensor to the folks at scangauge.com.

I highly recommend the product. I am now obssesive compulsive about my MPG now to this little gadget. I think it has aided me in my increased mileage over the last month.

 

Here is an update:
I have been regularly getting between 17 and 18.5 MPG to work and back (about 20 miles round trip).
On the highway I am getting 21 MPG.
I just got 23.75 MPG from Western Maryland to Nags Head, NC for vacation!!!
Wow, a 4x4 V6 truck that got nearly 24 MPG. You gotta loved tacos!!!

 

I already am spreading the word- they also have the worst (access Cab)
wind noise in any vehicle I've owned or been in.
I am stuck with this tin bucket untill I can sell it.
The sticker rated mine at 26 MPG and the lieing sales Manager said they would easily get 28 MPG.
You bet spead the word - Garbage

 

I just don't understand where in the hell you are getting 26 -28 MPG on your V6 4x4... I haven't seen that on any sticker, website... even toyota, or owners manual.

You you are getting it confused with something else, maybe a different car/truck... you have to be..

Come on guys, back me up here! This is crazy !

 

On the window sticker mine said 16 - 22 MPG. That was in the big bold letters. If you are the least bit skeptical and and somewhat alert, you read the sticker a little bit further and in the fine print it says something like "Actual drivers may experience anywhere between 14 - 24 MPG".

My first tank was a whopping 15.5 MPG. Now (5th fillup) im getting around 17.5 MPG. I am 99% streets.

The EPA has gotten into big trouble for its consistently overly optimistic MPG ratings and will be revising its testing conditions for 2008 vehicles to reflect more realistic driving conditions.

Ive never heard of any Prerunner V6's even approaching 28 MPG. If someone claimed this, common sense would lead me to believe he/she is lying. In fact i dont even think the I-4's are getting that.


As far as the SCAN GAUGE II, its pretty cool. However, it seems to give me somewhat unbelievable gas mileage ratings as well. For instance, if i drive on the freeway at around 60-65, the current mileage will keep going up and up sometimes approaching 27 - 28 MPG and i know this is not the case. City driving it sometimes tells me im getting 20 - 22 mpg. Again im pretty sure this isnt the case. Otherwise, its pretty accurate. For the overall gas mileage it seems to be on the money (i havent had to fill up to compare its calculations to real world figures yet). The built in trip meter is 100% accurate, and the gas gauge calculator is 100% right on.

Ted

 

This whole thing doesn't make sense to me. First he said the sticker said 28mpg, then he said the sticker quoted 26 mpg and the dealer assured him he could get 28. I have never seen a sticker on a V6 tacoma say any more than 21/22mpg. I've never heard of a 4.0 ltr V6 made by any company that gets 28mpg (except of course some kind of hybrid) its just not possible, thats too big of an engine. I have a DC and i don't notice any wind noise at all, my truck is quiet as a church mouse. This guy doesn't seem like a genuine owner, but more like a guy with something against toyota/tacomas. Thats just what it seems like to me. I can't imagine anyone believing these trucks would get that kind of mileage, and the wind noise is something he should have picked up on the test drive. i think he's just disgruntled

 

It always helps to get your facts straight before 'spouting off ' on a forum. The V6 4.0L never has advertised getting anyway near 26-28MPG. You must have a problem reading English 'stickers' because if you would have interpreted correctly you would have noticed or seen:V6 4.0L (4X4) = 18/21 MPG. If you took the word of the "Sales Manager" that you would get 28MPG; well...than I have some real-estate to sell you in the Pacific ocean. I've tested and owned many trucks and have to say the Tacoma is not without faults; however, it's one of the quietest(if not the quitest) cabs on the market today. Gentlemen(or Ladies), I believe we may have a genuine FLAME BAITER/TROLL who's infiltrated the site.

 

I have tested the mileage on my truck and it seems that when the oil has just been changed, the truck will get anywhere from 300 - 320 miles per tank. As the oil gets worn out, the engine gets sluggish and i end up getting around 250-275 per tank. I don't know why Toyota recommends changing the oil every 5,000 miles; it gets really sluggish after 3,000. I jus keep changing the oil every 2,500 miles now to keep the fuel efficiency up.

 

What Brand and kind of oil are you using..?