MPG Mods

Try 65 MPH and see what happens.

 

I get run over by semis and Prikuses (I think that's the plural of Prius). Honestly, at 70 MPH people pass me like I'm stopped. Florida got some crazy drivers.

 

Keeping it under 65 and inflating the tires to 38psi are the 2 most significant ways to improve your MPG from stock. Everything else has an insignificant result, at least in my experience.

 

It's like that everywhere... sucks! I avoid the interstates when I tow anything, unfortunately.

 

Where I live it's Ford Super Duties that run you over and that's if you're doing 75 or 80 mph. There are the semi's to add to that, of course. I was driving home one night and I was doing 95mph and a semi was still gaining on me so I just pulled over and followed him. I clocked him at a steady 90 mph for a while.

 

I was told to put the ETC button on to improve mpg on the freeway, it did not make sense to me so I tried it out for A 40 mile round-trip on the I 20 and found with it on I got 16.5 MPG and with it off I got 19.5, So I'm not believing in the dealer on that one

 

That is nuts! My normal commute I keep it at/below 65 most of the time and nearly everyone is passing me but not like I am stopped. Longer drives (road trips etc) I can actually make some time cruising 75. Not sure what to say of your situation but for safety's sake it sounds like you don't have a choice but to cruise at 70 minimum.

My tire pressure monitor will light up if I go that high. Not at cold pressure of course, but if I start with 38, at road temperature the pressure will go to nearly 44 psi and the system on my truck does not like that. I learned that one the hard way. Now I run 34 front and 32 rear, stock 5 lug size (215/70R15). No problems, good balance between grip and economy.

 

Reset your monitors when the pressure is up. They don't monitor actual pressure, just a change in pressure. If you reset when you have low pressure, they won't trip in a flat. If you reset when you're high, they won't trip because you're high.

 

Speed is the biggest factor in a vehicles mpg. An engine will reach peak efficiency at a certain speed (rpm not mph). A vehicles shape will reach peak efficiency at a certain speed (mph). At a certain point the 2 put together will be as efficient a combination as possible even if 1 or the other isn't at peak.

When you're under that combination, your mpg drops. When you're over it drops again. The faster you move the greater the drag created. And drag increases at a square to velocity.

The downside there is peak mpg is rarely (at least around here) a speed that keeps others from parking their car in your trunk.

 

It also doesn't help that I live in a state that encourages stupid driving: http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/114281038-story

If I keep to the left or middle lanes I risk getting a ticket from the local cops; and driving in the right means I'm going too fast for the people trying to merge. The middle sucks cause I get passed on both sides and feel trapped. I have to remind myself I'm driving 2 tons of pickup truck with an elevated steel rear bumper. People might get upset but they really don't want to hit me intentionally. I'm going to stay at 70, since 75 kills my mileage and I get passed by the crazys anyway.

 

And this is exactly what lies at the heart of our MPG dilemma. I'd be happy driving 62mph most of the time if it did not pose a safety risk to everyone.

 

I moved to fl about a year ago, drivers definitely suck.

 

I've been in FL since the early 70's and it's getting worse. The state always had bad drivers, but now there are more people and the same amount of roads. I can't move due to family obligations, so my alternative is to drive the biggest vehicle I can afford (mpg-wise).

 

I just came back from Pismo Beach with a truck bed full of camping gear covered with a hard bed cover and got 24.9 MPG/V-6. I'm not sure how much a bed cover helps but I had it on CC between 65-70 MPH most of the way home.

 

So, not sure if this will be the right thread or not, but here it goes. I bought a 2014 Tacoma double cab (TRD Sport). I drive every other week or so from Ohio to Missouri (about 375 miles or so one way). I think I drive pretty consistently, but this last trip sucked on fuel (I'm guessing also in part to strong headwind and weather). I was looking into the fuel economy gauges, but wondered if there is a way to program the current LCD display the radio to show that information? I'd rather not have an additional mod box other than a tow break once I get set up for that. Just curious if there is any programs I could load and buy a sensor for fuel economy.

Before the Taco, I had a Nissan Juke which has pretty good diagnostics, but it was a year later (2015). I should also add, I work for a major japanese OEM and I see that stuff as pretty standard now and days. Trying to find a solution to analyze my crappy driving.

 

I haven't heard of any mods to the LCD, but short of a Scangauge or a Ultragauge there is at least one app for your phone that I have seen. There is no sensor required just access to the OBDII data.

 

That was very informative and eloquently stated with an optimal degree of humor! Great stuff!

 

Woah, that's very impressive! Maybe you have a Tacoma Hybrid?!? Do you tailgate semis? I'm fortunate to get 21 and I drive sensibly. I'm going to try airing up to 38 psi.

 

Will airing up to 38 psi exaserbate tire wear? If not, I'll give it a try. Thanks!

 

Are there any videos here on how to install the Scangauge on to a 09 tacoma