Auto vs Manual MPG Question

My 2017 Limited with an automatic. Both of these were done in DFW TX, not down a mountain or some other unrealistic situation.



Is there a single manual transmission on the forum that has done better? If not, I am claiming victory for the automatics.

FWIW I was a stick car guy for decades. Thought I'd never own an automatic. My toy car is a manual, but I see the advantage of the modern automatic.

 

My Frontier has factory 3.69 gears, 265/75R16 tires and 6th is 0.769. As a result, it is pretty good on fuel on the highway. 5th is 1.000 so it's a single downshift to climb mountain grades.

Toyota could really gear their V6 MT trucks higher.

 

MT off-road here 18-21 depending on me driving more then anything. MT because I prefer to change the gears and It would avoid the only big issue with 3rd gen I kept hearing on searching for gears. Had a auto Jeep awhile back and I never liked it. Went to a MT WRX and was hooked

 

Sadly, reverse is way too high already in the MT. So what would have been a fairly reasonable fix (pick up a set of AT R/Ps from someone regearing) isn't really an option.

I drive mostly 65mph or under, so it doesn't hurt me too bad, but noticeable when I have to drive 70+. Around town, I am in 6th at 40mph. So yeah, could have easily been geared higher.

Funny thing is, they overgeared the AT slightly. Both 5th and 6th are higher ratios than 6th in the MT!

 

If you were to have put the 3.91 from an Automatic in our Trucks it would make the Reverse Gear even worse.

 

That's strange... I usually see mpg around 20 an up at 80mph

 

That seems so strange. If I’m at 80 in 6th and being gentle I get 15. Could be a break in issue as I only have 6000 miles. Although there does seem to be some variance in the efficiency of these engines.

 

Mine has under 5k. So Idk. I'll snag a pic of my eco app screen after my next trip to utah.

 

Looks like Toyota sold you the best Tacoma built and screwed everyone else. Class action here we come!

 

Yuppers! I cannot see how 29 to 30 is even possible as an average... unless your going 50mph in 6th and have a tailwind of 50mph

 

29 to 30 is about as possible as your 20 at 80 mph.

 

I get 23.x Mpg on most my drives 19, x on many and it is not uncommon for drives to hit 25.x I have had higher but did not take picture so can't prove it so with that said... the Truck is MT and the more I have interact with other local Tacoma owners that have both Auto and Manual the more it seems like the Driver's driving style has has more to do with it than many will admit... One guy I know seems like always trying to be the first off the line and another one is going full until last second before having to stop and of course both complain about Low Mpg... then another guy I know oh crap I would hate to be stuck behind him ever! he is one of those that it takes a good 20 second to get to 30 Mph and oh no another 20 second or more to get to 60 Mph but he is one happy mutter about his MPG....

 

Tacomas are available with an automatic transmission? Who knew.

 

Like 95% of this forum acts like they will only drive MT. If you do a search there is like 1 MT out of 1000 AT. Someone is driving all these ATs. I call BS on all you MT wannabes and say you’re actually driving ATs. Lol

 

Lol. There’s 1!!!

 

It’s probably my last, I’m 61 and I’m feeling it. I think it keeps me sharp during long commutes. Wife wanted an auto, but it’s my daily driver, probably should have listened to her.

 

Average is a little over 22 since new. Those are lower speed trips.

But the post above the one you quoted said something about the operator. I know how to operate a vehicle for good fuel economy.

 

I think the take rate is around 6%, probably much higher on here though since we are enthusiasts.