Poor Gas mileage

I get 22 mpg consistently for my 52 mile commute averaging 75 mph (in flat-ass Florida).

Around town the mpg is truly horrific, and I drive conservatively.

 

I probably have the same truck as you. Bone stock, no lift or tires. Mine is a MT, 3.5L with 5k on the odometer. The best I've gotten is 18 but really average between 15-16. 87 octane, & Costco fuel. I like to get into the throttle once in awhile but generally drive like grandpa. I might add tho - I haven't hand calculated, who knows could be worse or better.

 

Does anyone know if the 3rd gen should or is designed to run specifically on 87, 89 or 91? I ask cuz I've only ever used 91 and wondering if that has any impact on my mpg. See my past write ups in this thread but I avg 13.5 or 15.5 mpg. And please don't reply with anything saying it has to do with driving style or a heavy foot. Been there, dealt with that (see past posts in this thread).

 

It's rated for 87. Using 91 may be part of your problem. I only use 87 in mine.

 

I'll try that. Let's see. Thx.

 

Higher octane fuel burns at a higher cylinder pressure. If your engine does not need higher octane fuel it will not burn as soon as 87 will. Your engine will not run as efficient as it should with higher octane if it does not need it. It is possible that you will get better mileage out of 87. Might try ethanol free 87.

 

Variable timing will run effectively with any octane.

I read an article that manufactures will map the timing to run better at higher octanes because you can get higher compression with 91 fuel. (On a lower compression car. I.e. Tacoma)

I do know that traditionaly running higher octane in a lower compression car is a waste of money (besides things like tecron) but with how computerized these motors are I'm thinking it might help.

IDK.

 

I averaged 15-16 first two tanks with 87. I've gotten better mpg with 89 at 17.5- 18.5 and going to try 91 in the next two tanks. I'll keep you posted. But overall still not better or worst then my 2nd gen. Which is sad because 3rd gen was designed to get better mpg at least the 2nd gen was fun to drive.

 

#1 - check your tire pressures. Chalk test for my SR5 DCSB no 4WD but with the TRD OR rims and tires 46/48psi.

87 gas from the same Shell station and usually the same pump. 8,800ish miles and lifetime average is 23.6mpg and I tow a lot and that kills my mpg. And I had the BFG KO2s for about 1000 miles and they only got 22mpg at best. With the TRD OR rims and tires and If I don't tow anything I usually get 450-470 miles on a tank. If I get on the interstate I'll get 25/26 mpg but it's flat here and I drive rush hour 2 days a week.

Here's a 130 mile interstate drive @ 63mph with CC on and no AC.



Tire pressure and Shell gas. Good gas makes a difference.

 

I'm guessing your running a 2.7L under your hood?

 

Agreed, while it may seem like "granny shifting" is the best way to save on gas, its actually not always true. I was messing around on my commute home today and really watching the blue MPG meter on the speedo and noticed if I shift too early ~<2k rpm and have to press the gas pedal down more (even though you would think RPM is indicative of how much gas is consumed), I used more gas. To better explain this, if you have the car in 6th gear but only at 1500 RPM and floor the gas pedal, you will get worse gas mileage than if you down shifted and sped up.

 

Exactly. I've been shifting between 2.5k and 3k RPM to keep it in the power band and I'm getting 19.5 city and 21.5 highway with winter blend hand calculated.

 

Do you really run 48PSI on the stock offroad tires and wheels? Seems kinda high, the sticker on the door says 30PSI for the offroad.

 

Mine are currently at 40psi, 30 seemed a bit squishy. I just passed 1000 miles this morning. I'm good with 20'ish mpg.

 

Just finished my 1st official full tank of fuel that I paid for ran 87 octane, I have 36-38 psi in the tires and was 80/20 mixed driving with most of the highway driving at 77-83 Mph, with about 100 miles with the cruise set at 80 Mph. I will say cruise set at 80 Mph is not the best thing for the taco lol, seemed like it was always down shifting. I hand calculated 17.01 MPG with that tank of fuel would of like to have seen a little better but pretty happy overall running that speed.

 

Get a prius if you're worried about gas milage

 

Funny you say that, just picked up a prius for the wife for our longer road trips! Lol! Not as fun as the taco but easy on the gas wallet

 

I live in West Virginia and commute 80 miles to Charleston round trip every day. I average around 17.5 MPG with the 6MT. I really didn't expect more that that running on the hills. I have noticed with the TRD exhaust that when i hit the gas in 6th going up a hill and don't go anywhere my MPG goes way down. I'm going to try to start running the truck around 2.5k to 3k RPM's all the time just not on the highway and see how that works for my mileage. I was usually around 2k for most driving. Coming from a manual car that was perfect bc even at 2K RPM i had plenty of power. I also might mess around with higher octane fuel (running 87 now).

I have a GTI for gas mileage.

 

Exactly what I have seen, mashing the gas and not going anywhere wastes more gas. Pay particular attention to your MPG bar when you drive and you'll notice it as well. Powerband is 2500-3000rpms and the truck likes it there as long as you aren't constantly mashing gas pedal

 

+1. I run mine at 38 psi cold, they warm up to 40 usually.

When I was driving it around with 33 psi, the ride feel was sometimes "precarious". Feels much firmer and stable running 40 psi. IMHO of course.