Tacoma Fuel Economy

TO:Brownie374
Which tires/package do you have because I have been getting a sucky 16.1 with light driving.

 

I have the trd package bf goodrich tires. When my truck was new I also only got 16mpg. Last tank had more city driving got 20.8 instead of previous 22.1

 

Here in Minnesota I get approximatly 22mpg in mixed city/freeway driving with my 2.7L 4x4. I just did a 1200mi mixed highway/freeway trip (lots of cruise control) and averaged 25mpg.

I'm thinking about a tonneau cover. Anyone quantified the improvement of mpg from that? In general terms for pickups, I've heard 5 to 10%.

Thanks

 

That’s very encouraging to know that the mileage should keep improving for quite awhile.

 

Thanks Brownie374 for the quick reply. I kind of expected break-in would hit my mileage. My excitement over the mileage we are getting in our Highlander Hybrid carried over a little because there really isn't any break-in period so to speak on the hybrids (except for towing). Thanks again.

 

Truthfully you'll get better then most with the basic 2x4 Tacoma it just will!
My o7 Tacoma is giving me 19 with less then a 1000 miles on it. It's 4x4 Crew Cab AT, on Hiway with Cruise I maybe can get 20-22 miles! Not too shabby considering everything involved. My 05 Nissan Frontier V6 4x4 king cab gave 16 around town and maybe 20-21 on Hiway,so Tacoma does beat the Frontier a little on fuel! I burn 87 regular in my 07!

 

Just got back from a family vacation to gatlinburg tenn. checked each tank got from 20.4 that was around gatlinburg area sometimes in traffic and mountain driving to 22.0 flat highway.Fully loaded me wife 2 kids 2 dogs bed full 70 miles an hour air on. 2007 dc 4x4 v6 now with 6500 miles

 

I purchased the ScanGauge and installed it. It is great and displays more information than I expected. I was really after the mpg but along with mpg it gives information about gallons per hour, fuel left, amount used today and yesterday. The mpg per interval changes as your driving behavior changes which is another feature that I like and gives you instant information about your driving. I’m can see that the overall mpg will be calculated when I have used up a tank of gas. By the way I’m getting a littler mpg than I expected. It can also display all the possible gauges inside of vehicle. As you can tell I’m impressed with this accessory.

 

Sounds pretty cool, you got any pictures of the install, how much was it?

 

4th fillup 960 miles dropped to 18.5, 07 Crew 4x4 A/T. I would think breakin period would be at least 3k if not a little more. When I get 1st oil change I'm going with synthetic oil probably Mobil 1 because it's more readly available. It can't hurt and it could prolong engine life + fuel mileage.

 

I don’t have any pictures because it really was rather easy to install. I believe if you wanted to make it sophisticated, you could build a mount and hang it from the overhead console or screw it permanently into the dash. However, I plugged it into the OBDII plug, under the dash, and ran the wire under the steering wheel. Then I had to epoxy the Velcro to the ScanGauge and to the bottom of the center console. Sort of in front of the cigarette lighter right below the lip so the ScanGauge faces upward at a tilt of 45 degrees. It cost $150. I find myself looking at it all the time checking different gauges and of course fuel economy. Here is a link to it:
http://www.scangauge.com/products/

 

How is the fuel distance to empty feature? This is my most frustrating thing with the Tacoma...the stupid light comes on with alot left in the tank; would love to know distance to empty.

 

It looks actuate to me. Here are them items that the Scan Gauge shows for Trip Computer:

Maximum Speed
Average Speed
Maximum Coolant Temperature
Maximum RPM
Driving Time
Driving Distance
Fuel Used
Trip Fuel Economy
Distance to Empty – note this one
Fuel to Empty

Here are the gauges

Fuel Rate
Batter Voltage
Coolant Temperature
Intake Air Temperature
Engine Speed rpm
Vehicle speed mph
Manifold Pressure
Engine load
Throttle position
Ignition Timing
Open/Closed Loop

Also check out the site features and especially the pictures.

 

LOL yeah right... I've averaged 20.9 a tank since then. Now at 11K.

I pulled the boat for 40 miles round trip on the last tank, and ended up averaging 18.9 odly...

 

That is weird. What kind of driving style do you have? Where all are you driving?

 

Mostly highway... lead footed.

 

The lead footed part is what is killing you. If I go hard on my truck, I will get 20-21 MPG. Usually I get 22 MPG in town. Highway average (mostly cruising) is 24-25.

 

I average about 17-19, seems to be the average.

 

Last summer I was averaging 28+. Lately on Winter formulation gas and some crappy snowcovered roads driving I'm down to around 25.