Improving Gas Mileage

Everything on my truck came from the dealership and the window sticker said around 20 to 24 mpg. I know those are usually a bit off but it shouldn't be that far off. Other than me taking the air dam off I haven't done anything to it. Plus the air dam won't do much for city driving. However it is an SR5 with an offroad package on it.

 

The dealer can't change the EPA fuel economy numbers because of dealer-installed parts.

Regardless of who installed those parts, they still have a negative impact on fuel economy.

 

You kept mentioning the mpg for city driving, what kind of mileage do you get if you do highway driving? If I do stop and go in city driving my mileage can drop a lot depending on traffic, stops, length of drive, etc. If you get 18 mpg for city driving I would consider that pretty good for me. I drive about 80/20 highway/city and am averaging around 22 mpg. I could get better but the freeway speed limit here is 80 and if you drop much below that you will get ran over.

 

On a daily basis I get about 14 but if I try really hard and drive like a snail I can make it 18 in the city. Normally I actually get around 18-20 on highway

 

from the start I have gotten a solid 21/22 city and 23/24 Highway my best was 26 MPG 70MPH (for the tank) from AZ to WY 2017 TRD Sport, as for the Air dam I didn't see a change in MPG

 

It’s the best tune for these Tacomas and biggest thread on TW.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-toyota-tacoma-v6-ecu-tuning-alpha-release.495735/

 

OVTune

 

Looking at someone's trip meter really means nothing. This shows longer term averages.

 

My 6MT avg's 17-19mpgs on mixed city and highway driving for my 30mi commute. One thing I have been curious about is if the open space on the top and bottom behind the grille was "blocked off" if this could increase highway mileage by creating less turbulence. All of my Ram trucks have had some kind of cover so to speak over this area, my wife's 18 Highlander is basically enclosed in this area and most "race cars" also have this area enclosed for aero and a ram air effect for cooling. Thoughts?

 

Mine looks like that too, truck is extremely consistent as fsr as MPG's go.

 

The problems (MPG killers) with "City" driving, and why yours differs from mine, his, or hers are:

• Distance between full stop - How far apart are the stop signs/lights. closer together = lower mpg
• Frequency of stops - How many full stops do you have. More stops = lower MPG
• Time at each stop - Idling truck get 0 MPG. the longer you idle the lower your MPG gets pushed.
• Acceleration - Faster accel = lower MPG theoretically for less time. Remember MPG is an average.
• Deceleration - Engine braking & coasting get 99+MPG. harder braking means less time engine braking and coasting = lower MPG
• Idiots constantly braking in front of you - give them more room so you do not HAVE to brake every time "Mabel" does
• Left foot Braking - AT = 1 foot driving - IF you do not have a clutch keep that left foot away from the pedals! (Otherwise you might be "Mabel")

I am heavy footed but generally go "with" traffic which is 5-10 over the posted limit. My average coming to work is generally 19.x and going home on the same route 21-22. Mine is 100% city driving, however a good portion is industrial roads stops are 2-3 miles apart at parts of my commute. I am in FL so it is flat I deal with 1 "hill" which is an overpass on the route. Mornings are lower mileage because traffic is moving slower with school buses, dump trucks, service trucks, caught at lights, and old folks (remember I am in FL, so lots of old folks and stops lights are a good place to nap they take so long to change). Right now my AVE for the month is 19.4. I reset/update my Eco app each month. I was caught by the train 3 times this month and sat idling about 10 minutes each time and I have had more than usual short times to the store etc. Much like @StayinStock my graph sits right at 20 MPG month to month

 

I just keep my truck tuned up. New air filter when it gets dirty, and tires properly inflated. No hard acceleration. Drive the speed limit (While keeping out of everyone else's way). Or l better describe as, driving relaxed. No unnecessary stuff weighing down the truck that l don't need.
Anything l looked at buying to improve my mileage. Just would have cost me a lot more money than l would have ever saved in gas. The MPG return seems very small and very slow with those items.
l just accept the mileage that l can get from it, and enjoy my truck.
Good luck!!!!

 

I didnt trade in my hemi. Thank goodness. I'm getting 14 in my taco. Hemi gets 16

 

Sorry but.... What?

 

Yeah, I paid a buck ninety nine the last time.

 

I want to see a picture of that!!

 

I get 17 with the same type commute. Your doing something right. Stock Taco?

 

Auto correct screwed me lol

 

Original post was back in 2018. Thread was revived from the dead.