26.2 MPG just by slowing to 55 MPH

I bought a new 08 double cab 4x4 long bed V6 automatic in Jan.08. I have checked the mileage several times and started out getting around 21-22 MPG on the highway. I read an articale last week were it said you can save 5- 20 % gas just by slowing to 55 MPH. So yesterday I did a test and went on a trip just going 55MPH. When I got back I filled up, checked my mileage, and I got 26.2 MPG !. I think I could probably get alittle more with gas that does not have ethanol in it. So next week I think I will do another test with better gas. Oh, and by the way I live in the mountains of NC and some of the miles I drove were uphill so Im sure on level ground it would do better. This was done with the A/C off and the windows down about 4 inches all the way around. I also always acted like there was a egg shell under my right foot.
Just wondered if anyone has done any testing on the MPG received from regular gas VS premium gas VS midgrade fuel?

 

26 mpg is approx 500 miles a tank. are you sure your numbers are correct?

 

I get a consistant 26-27 miles to the gallon with my 2.7 rc standard shift driving 75 and 80 mph but all but 3 miles a day are hwy only

 

But I must admit. I didn't realize one VERY IMPORTANT fact about the Auto Transmission.

Before I say this, I prelude this with the fact that I have been driving a Ford Ranger with 5 speed standard transmission for 5 years now.

Anyway, I spent my first week with my new Tacoma in 4 instead of D. They are parallel to each other and I wondered why I was pushing nearly 2700 rpms. I know, I am so embarrased.

I was sitting in McDonalds yesterday morning in line at the Drive thru and I am sitting there wondering why 4 and D are parallel on the selection, and I said "HMMMM....".

I put in D and climbed up on the Interstate to 70 mph and less than 2000 on the tach.

My mpg will definitely improve. I say all this just in case someone else is naive the the auto transmission as I was.

Jeff

 

try going 55 on So Cal roads !

 

During my cross country trip the best was 20.35 and that was with cruise control. Slowing down would make a difference but I don't see how it could be much better than that.

 

In Norcal you'll get shot up

 

I'm calling shens.

The best I have ever gotten in my truck was 24MPG and I'm a access cab Prerunner.

 

55mph is nj????

is that even legal???? I thought the cops would give out tickets for being too slow.... 65 is more like it!! You should give us a summary on 65 mph!

 

i live in so cal and i never do under 65

i get pissed when i have to take my cruise control off 65 beause someones going 60 ha

when i buy my bentley ill go 55 on the freeway ha

 

I can get 500 to a tank. Gas light comes on around 460, never pushed it farther than 500.

But its a base 5lug stick.

 

I'm not really sure how this contributes to the gas efficiency of a 4x4 DoubleCab V6.

 

Yeah, 26mpg sounds like a pipe dream!

The best I've gotten is probably 19.4mpg on half/half, summer gas, V6 access cab, tonneau cover and going 60mph on the highway.

 

I've thought about doing this test but I will probably wait until I have another long road trip. I have heard that you get slightly better gas mileage but I don't feel like paying $4.50 a gallon at the moment to test it out!

 

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The OP happens to have that combo, but the basis of the post is to show slowing down can, and will save fuel, and is not limited to that particular cab/drivetrain combo, and as a matter of fact; I think the OP is the only contributor to this post thus far that has this combo.

That said, I will pay a little extra to go the posted speed limit +5/11; as I have places to go, and things to do before I die of old age

 

If you believe that the OP is the only contributor thus far then why did you post something that doesn't contribute to the topic as well? Genius...

 

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Just to join the crowd

 

If you have the stock 245 16 series tire, you speed o is incorrect and will show you getting better gas mileage..........and your warranty will run out faster.

The truck speed o is set for the 265/70/16 or equivalent size to this......So the smaller size tires that come with the base or so truck are incorrect....................Fact!


Another thing and it is simple, clean air filter helps!!!!!! 1-2 miles gallon depending on how dirty

Fill your tires with the most air you can and still be with-in spec, safety, ect.....will greatly help on a small scale...... 2-7% better depending on the amount filled.....Caution- it is not safe to have to much air, will bounce you off the road in a corner ect....Tires wear out to quick in the center....
I run 40# in my tires.......42 sometimes in the front....more weight from the motor, means-needs more air the the others.

I have a elect fan, K&N CAI, put the 265 70 16 tires on it and my BEST flat ground, AC off, windows up, eggshell gas pedal, 65mph in all conditions is 20.5 miles to the gallon

I will try it at 55mph...I drive hway all the time......... I also pull a travel trailer 20' and the best there is 12mph aver is 10.5, 65mph, ac on Radio on rock and up loud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

nc1100c, here's a link to my fuel economy report thus far. From 2/18 to 2/25 was my cross country road trip and you can tell how climbing mountains effect's the V6's fuel economy. If I decide to put premium in my tank to test I will post those results as well.

http://www.thewrongway.com/temp/fuel.html


Here it is in txt format:

Purchase Date, Gallons, Cost per Gallon, Odometer Start, Odometer End, Miles Traveled, Total Cost, MPG

2/18/2008 167 471 304 17.4 $54.28 $3.12 17.47

2/19/2008 471 679 208 11.9 $37.00 $3.10 17.42

2/19/2008 679 910 231 13.2 $42.29 $3.20 17.47

2/19/2008 910 1,167 257 14.8 $50.00 $3.37 17.32

2/20/2008 1,167 1,401 234 12.7 $41.45 $3.27 18.45

2/20/2008 1,401 1,676 275 14.9 $49.09 $3.30 18.48

2/21/2008 1,676 1,965 289 15.2 $45.36 $2.98 18.98

2/22/2008 1,965 2,127 162 10.7 $32.76 $3.07 15.17

2/22/2008 2,127 2,268 141 10.1 $35.18 $3.50 14.03

2/22/2008 2,268 2,561 293 15.7 $48.00 $3.06 18.67

2/23/2008 2,561 2,813 252 14.4 $44.64 $3.10 17.49

2/23/2008 2,813 3,130 317 15.6 $46.72 $3.00 20.35

2/23/2008 3,130 3,395 265 17.4 $55.00 $3.16 15.22

2/23/2008 3,395 3,689 294 17.9 $54.30 $3.04 16.45

2/24/2008 3,689 3,965 276 14.6 $44.65 $3.06 18.90

2/24/2008 3,965 4,065 100 5.6 $17.06 $3.06 17.92

2/25/2008 4,065 4,408 343 17.2 $54.84 $3.19 19.94

3/2/2008 4,408 4,688 280 17.1 $55.58 $3.25 16.36

4/16/2008 4,688 4,990 302 17.4 $59.59 $3.42 17.33

4/20/2008 4,990 5,289 299 16.8 $59.12 $3.53 17.85

4/28/2008 5,289 5,610 321 17.7 $62.89 $3.56 18.17

5/8/2008 5,610 5,911 301 17.3 $66.75 $3.87 17.45

5/12/2008 5,911 6,201 290 17.4 $66.23 $3.80 16.64

6/14/2008 6,201 6,362 161 8.6 $34.65 $4.05 18.81

Totals for 24 fuel purchases 6,195 351.5 $1,157.43 $3.29 17.62 (Avg)

 

Zcline, where in Jax are you located? I coulda sworn I saw your Taco yesterday.