~13 mpg, from tires, driving habits or do I need a tune up?

My 02 4x4 V6 extra cab has 285/75r16s and a ~3” lift. Just got it recently, 177k miles.

I’m getting about 13 mpg, mostly highway. The truck also feels pretty sluggish going up hills and has to rev pretty high. Is this due to the big tires and lift and my driving habits or should I go in a get a tune up?

Before I bought it I got a pre sale check from a Toyota dealership and everything came back ok, so I’m not sure if I should bring it in or just live with it till I can downsize to 265/75r16s

Thanks!

 

I get 14 in the winter on my 19 with 265s, I’d say yours is about normal.

Never hurts to tune a girl up, especially at 177k, but I doubt you have any problems, per say.

Welcome aboard!

 

Thanks! I want to get better at maintaining vehicles myself, so I’ll probably watch some YouTube videos and check it up myself as practice. I’m saving money to go down to smaller tires as the off-roading I’m doing is never very serious, mostly just badly kept mountain roads, and it’s my daily driver.

thanks for the welcome too, this forum is amazing and has helped me get some great info about my truck!

 

depends on the specific tires and wheels too. Some tires and wheels are much heavier than others so not all 285s are created equal. But your numbers aren’t crazy. I get 15.5 pretty consistently in my 2nd gen on load range C 285s amd stock gears.

I’d wager you have E load range tires.

 

Welcome to TW... I get 12-14 mpg with 4 inch lift, 33 inch tires and a heavy foot.

 

Cold weather kills mileage.

Also, what's your cruising speed? I am getting 13-14 at 80-85 (MPH) and 17-18 at 60-70 (MPH).

 

Lift and tires will kill your mileage.

However, there are a few other things that you can look into. I'm assuming there are no codes showing. When was the last time the air filter was replaced? Or the fuel filter? Have you used any fuel injector cleaner lately? Winter gas and temps also kill mileage.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Average 21mpg on 2003
2.7L 4x4 on 265/70r16s
Been the same since 4mi on ODO

 

Apples and oranges. OP is a V6 on 285s. Gonna be different than your 4 cylinder on 265s.

 

Well aware of OPs V6
Only offered for comparison to TW members and guests who Google search Tacoma MPGs and wind up here.
Thank you for your input.

 

I had a thought driving home, when you say you drive mostly highway how fast do you typically drive on the interstate? My MPGs take a fat dump above 70 mph.

If you’re cruising at 80mph that might be part of your problem too.

 

The time I “measured” my mpg was just by driving home from a nearby city (122 miles) and when I got home I happened to be on exactly half a tank from a full one so I just divided.

But yeah I was going 65-75 most the time and there are tons of hills on that highway so it could be that

 

sounds about right with the lift and assuming e rated tires. I was averaging 14 or so.

 

So many things play into mileage.

Winter blend gas . If your Winter is 65 degrees as compared to below Freezing for weeks on end I know my idle time getting the ice melted can be a easy 30 minutes a day.

The only time I get concerned about my mileage is when it hits 9 my normal is between 10 and 12 then for the most it always is working .

Runs plenty good for the weight I handle enough extra when needed .

 

I had e rated 285's on my FJ and the mileage took a serious dump. I'd say around 12-13 mpg average. Now my 2014 tacoma leveled with 264 75' I get around 18-19 maybe a little more if I keep my foot out of it and I'm on flat ground. Anything passed 70 and the mpg takes a big hit.

 

There are things you can do to help maximize your MPG.

1.) Spark plugs
2.) Clean MAF and throttle body
3.) Clean fluids in tranny, diffs and xfer case
4.) Tire pressure.
5.) Remove all weight possible.
6.) Speed
7.) Easy right foot.
8.) ONLY use 4wd when needed.
<edit>
9.) Clean air filter.
<end edit>

Every doubling of speed results in 4X aerodynamic drag.

FWIW, I manage 18-19 mpg with my V-6, 4wd, AT in mixed driving. I don't track mpg in winter, too many influences from cold and winter fuel.

 

Welcome to TW! Are you considering the difference in tire size when calculating your mpgs?

 

So, what you're saying is that you didn't use an official pump measurement?

Why it is important is because then the guage says the tank is half full, it isn't necessarily half full. Especially considering how long it stays on F after a fill up and how there is usually a reserve amount of fuel left after it reaches E.

 

Yep! I used my gps

 

nah, man. this community has been a huge help to me. 99 % of the folks here have been really wonderful and understanding. so just trying to show the appreciation