2016+ Gas mileage

So I have had a good test of my towing capacity mpg and boy ohh boy was that a sad state of affairs.

On my 2008 Tacoma while towing my 3200 lbs trailer (ok 3400 with stuff in it), I would get 11 mpg. Offroad tires, highway mileage and I could generally get around with the trailer knowing I had 140 miles to a tank arriving with quarter tank to a gas station. Made it fairly easy to plan my trips.

Having just towed with my 2016 tacoma same exact trailer I was struggling to get 9.8 mpg in identical conditions. Bigger tank and I barely got 110 miles arriving with no more than 2 gallons left in the tank.

There seems to be no correlation in my case whether I do or do not use cruise control. I just get less gas mileage.

Problem with reduced mileage is most gas stations are not made for travel trailers and access to or from is often causing something to bottom out. I actually have to stop and assess whether I can fuel there or not.

I really can't understand how this works. My co-worker has a Denali and he tows a 9000 lbs travel trailer. Max tow capacity is like 12000 lbs so you would expect a significant drop in mpg but no... he still gets like 12 mpg.

If I had to guess (closing eyes on offroad tires and lift kits)... is that 2016 tacomas have a factory "defect" in that they are not delivering advertised mpg. I am not going to riot over it but I do find it absolutely irritating to know that a $34,000 truck does not know the difference between fuel conservancy and fuel hogging.

Another thing I noticed is that acceleration sucks.

 

I'm averaging right at 21mpg in my 17 TRD OR dcsb. Anything above 18mpg average and I'm happy.

 

I do a good 50/50 of city and hwy driving everyday.
Completely stock with tonneau cover average: 23 mpg
Removed front lower spoiler: 21.5 mpg
Added TRD Front skid plate: 20.5 mpg

Curious what its going to average after I install lift and tires this weekend...

 

Stock 2017 TRD OR DCSB. Just about to clock 3k and averaging 19.5 mpg. Mostly highway. Got as high as 22.5 the other day after a fresh fill up but the commute to work is mostly downhill

 

2016 Limited 4x2 stock tires. Average about 21.5, 87 octane, do about 75% freeway driving. Just hit 12K miles.
Best I've ever got is 24 but that was averaging 60-65 mph. My 2nd gen never got above 17.

 

'16 TRDOR with 275/70r17's and a 3" lift on 87 octane, only city and I get 14.5 mpg. I work four miles away and it's stop signs and traffic the whole way. Tacos no likey the stop and go.

 

I average 18 to 19 with a 3 in lift and 32s best I've got was 25 on a 6 hr road trip.

 

I feel your pain. I'm only a few miles from work and a mile from any shops I need. I do drive a decent chunk of highway for my tanks going to friend's places, but still annoyed that my mileage is so low. I'm hopping a tonneau and more mileage on the truck will bump it up to 20 eventually.

 

Did you have the tow button (ECT) engaged and at what speeds were you traveling. Havent towed anything yet but I doubt its pretty.

 

I'm kind of an aggressive driver. Do you drive the speed limit? I'm a 10 over kind of person.

 

Just did the TSB reflash because it was already in getting the transmission level check. First time my GF rode in my truck after the the reflash she said your truck sounds and feels manlier. I forgot to tell her it was reflashed too so even the passenger can tell the truck behaves differently. At first I notice the mpg was constantly lower driving around my usual paths not that the electronic mpg is very accurate. I think the truck is back in learning mode from the reflash. About to make a Houston to Knoxville drive and will post numbers after the trip.

 

I just did my 10k. Im pretty sure if I really really tried I might pull off 17. But nobody has time for that. "I can't drive, 55!"

 

15.9L/100 km in an AC TRD OR with automatic. This is mostly city driving and I have around 8 000 km.

 

Sometime i drive the speed limit. majority of the time I'm over the speed limit but I do alot of hwy travel too. It's not much stopping and going.

 

That would be no sir. I do not have ECT button enabled. I have nothing displayed on my dash or light up that would signify that it is enabled. If anything I did not even know that button existed. Thank you for pointing out.

I never tow faster than 60mph so I just get into right lane and do 60.

That being said... last night I pumped up my tires from 31 when temperature dropped to 35 and today's mpg was 18.

I did notice that when towing my truck was doing it at higher rpms than my old truck. Old one I would cruise at 2000 rpm and with this one it was 2500 rpms. That, without a doubt, have contributed to greater gas consumption, at least in part.

 

It would do your engine good to get to operating temps. Im sure you already know that, but just in case.

 

The ECT button will help keep the truck in gear longer to get into the power band.

 

Somehow I managed to get 18.5 average tank on a recent hunting trip. Truck fully loaded, flat ground, cool night, 65mph cruise. I'm running my stock tires and wheels right now.

Today I folded up my Bestop for a while. We'll see what happens..

 

My fuelly says 19 even right now. Its been fluctuating because traffic is getting horrendous (its that time of year). These trucks are definitely not fans of stop and go for 20 miles.

 

Hey Houston guy, off topic for this thread but I'll be heading down with my truck this spring. Know any mild offroading trails within an hour of the city? My father lives near Kemah....I'll be down this week, but unfortunately will only have the 2wd f150 to drive .

Damn straight! I still haven't got out of the driving habits I had from driving a civic for 5 years and then a tsx for another 5 years. Fast little 4bangers, lol. I think the only thing that has slowed me down the tiniest bit is how the truck goes around turns. I don't feel like rolling at 70mph, haha.
I did 200 straight miles of 85mph and my mpg was only 18 by the end of the trip. I guess I need to learn to drive a tad slower to help.
I honestly think turning off ect helps in my daily commutes. maybe only by .5mpg. I know it contradicts what it's supposed to be there for, but it is what it is. Might need the updated reflash, idk.