2020 TRD Pro AT, 18 City, 22mpg Hwy? Not Even Close...

I read an article many years ago about the whole "Tailgate up or Tailgate down" MPG debate. Bottom line was trucks are designed with the bed up for best aerodynamics and mileage.

I'd imagine the tonneau has a similar affect on that as well. I have a tonneau on mine, but never cared to run it open for any analysis. I need it closed.

Consider opening it and driving a familiar route?

 

Hmm, now that was something I had not thought of... good mind man.

I googled it and Consumer Reports tested that very thing.

They lost .9mpg with a tonneau. Not the huge difference I'm seeing, but it had an effect.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/08/pickup-truck-tailgates-and-fuel-economy/index.htm

"We found that covering the bed with a soft tonneau cover was even more detrimental, dropping fuel economy..."

 

I live in similar area as you. I’ve dropped 2-3 in the cold weather. I’m not quite as bad as you, my tank still averages 18-19, 75% highway miles. I was getting 22 highway last summer, 18 city. I’d wait and see how it does when things warm up. How many miles you say you have on it?

soft cover here also

 

Winter blend fuel is the real problem. In addition to the motor having to warm up. The cold dense air also needs more fuel.

 

I had a 2008 2.7 regular cab 4x4 manual that I always averaged around 20mpg's with, then I traded it for a 2010 2.7 AC 4x4 also a manual and never could get better than 17mpg's driving the exact same style and routes. Pissed me off and I had Toyota look at it twice and they said everything was fine, no codes or brakes dragging. I couldn't stand it any longer so I traded it off on a 2010 4Runner, 4.0 V6 and from new until I just sold it last week with 140,000 miles I averaged 18-20mpg's driving the same routes. Like you I've had several Toyota's that I could meet or exceed the sticker milage with but not in that 2010 AC. Sorry no real help I just think some vehicles are on the lower end and some on the higher end of the MPG's and you have a lower one.

 

Im on 265/75/16s with my pro and normally get 400 miles to a tank if I run it low. It’s prolly winter gas with a mix of driving style.

 

Hey OP, Where do you live? Winter makes a huge difference in mileage with winter blend fuel and temps. Right now my average is 15 to 16. Summer it's around 20 to 21.

 

My mistake

 

It's too bad a V6 4x4 pickup with "A/T" tires isn't fuel efficient...

 

Dude, what answers are you looking for here? It’s a complaint thread that you’ve started, one with a bazillion precursors (think: googling TW for mpg threads or, for more fun, Lolita). I think it deserves a shit-ton of canned answers.

Look at Fuelly.com. You’re within the ballpark depending on driving conditions (lots of stops and starts in cornfieldia WI may ding your economy, etc.). Beyond that, there are too many variables to say why you are getting slightly less awesome fuel economy. Strap on the lower air dam that the SR5 and Sport folk throw away and get 1/2 mpg back; you’ll never need the clearance.

 

Winter blend fuel isn't going to make much difference. It has about 2% less energy per unit versus summer blend. If that followed to mileage, MPG would drop from 20 to 19.6 for instance. It's almost all about the cold temperatures.

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/coldweather.shtml

 

They all have 18/22 3.5L (Pro, OR, Sport), only 2.7L has different.

I get 18/20 city, 22/24 HWY, and I live WI. Calculated, never go off what truck calculates.

 

I have about 900 miles on my DCLB TRD Off Road. I can’t calculate the first tank accurately due to a few gallons being in the truck at the dealership and then they filled it up. Just guessing, but I think the first tank was around 17. The second tank was just over 18. Third tank looks to be a bit better. My driving has been mixed 50/50 highway and city and I’m driving very conservatively until it is properly broken in. So based on what you said, there seems to be something wrong with your truck to be 3 or 4 miles below other trucks. I’d be upset too.

FYI, the MPG readout has been about 1.5 MPG high as compared to actual calculated based on miles driven divided by fill-up gallons at the pump. I haven’t checked the speedo either, which is probably off as well.

 

Yes.

 

As 2 others have asked without being answered. How many miles are on it?

 

That is what I thought...OP seems to think otherwise

 

I convoyed with a decked out TRD Pro with my then-stock off-road. His was the automatic, which is rated for 1mpg higher than my manual - still, i was averaging 4-6mpg more than him.

He had more drag - steel bumper, more aggresive A/Ts, bedrack rooftop tent, etc
— but most importantly he let his idle a hell of a lot more than i did

 

Fuel it up and drive it. A square box pickup is not a Prius. EPA numbers are always extremely inaccurate on any model. Even Prius guys complain that they never attain the epa rating of 55 mpg.

 

You care about gas mileage? Buy a car.

 

Always makes me chuckle, when typed with a straight face.

As mentioned, mileage will improve with engine break in and will improve further when the weather breaks.

PS. Who buys a Pro and goes straight to guns bitching about mileage? Please find the closest mirror and bitch slap yourself until moral improves.

TIA.