Really bad gas mileage

I own A 2006 tacoma access cab 2.7 4 banger 4x4. I have 80k + miles on the truck. Recently i been getting horrible gas mileage. I used to get 24-25 combined. And now im getting like 17-19 miles combined.

I do my regular tune up. Changed to oil at every 3000 miles with syntheics. Changed my tranny fluid, differential fluid, spark plugs etc. But still getting really bad gas mileage. Can u help me out here. Maybe im forgetting something??

I really need to do something fast cause its killing me here. I drive to work 50+ miles one way and im going down the drain with the mileage im getting. Thanks for all your input.

 

air filter, tire pressure? make sure those are all g. seems like you've covered the rest...do you have winter blend gas where your at? i heard that can affect your gas mileage, although i would'nt know about that too much lol

 

x2 on the air filter and tire pressure.

How many miles are on the truck? If your over 100k, did you change the plugs with new iridiums? Are you carrying any extra weight that weren't before or have you gotten larger tires? Does it run rough, maybe it's time for some injector cleaner or seafoam treatment.

 

My 2001 was a 4cyl. I started getting real bad gas mileage, so I changed plugs, wires, air filter, cleaned MAF, oil change, etc. Still crappy mileage.

I then read up further and changed an O2 sensor and my catalytic converter was partially clogged. After I changed those, I gained 2 MPG.

If you put your hand close to your exhaust while running, and it is extremely hot, you could have a clogged catalytic converter. I'm talking you cant keep your hand there for 5 seconds. Use caution when checking.

 

24-25 mpg combined (what you were getting before) is extremely good, almost something wrong in itself. But a 28% drop in fuel economy is pretty serious anyway. Winter blend gas can definitely hurt fuel economy, trust me. Other things like changing the grade of oil, forgetting to air the tires, brake drag, restricted intake or exhaust, etc etc. Just trying to think of things that may have been missed. And like another poster said, be sure you're using the iridium plugs and that the coil packs are firing properly. Good luck, and keep us posted if you find anything.

 

i noticed with my 4 banger that since winter has started, i'm down from my usualy 22-24 mpg to about 18-20. i blame that on the winter blend gas, or the fact that my truck has to run richer longer to get until it gets to operating temps.

 

x3 on the air filter and tire pressure.

 

I've noticed the same.

 

Check your o2 sensor and Cat converter.

I got 23 mpg, then got the bright idea to str8 pipe my exhaust. TERRIBLE IDEA!! I avg 15 -16 mpg with it str8 piped. Needless to say I welded my Cat back on!!

 

Check the brakes for sticking pistons and uneven wear. Dragging shoes and pads will chew up gas fast.
Does your brake pedal pulsate while braking?

 

My air on my tires are good and so is my intake. I changed my cabin air filter also. And used nothing but synthic only on my oil.. Maybe ill ck on my cat and o2 sensor and the brakes. Thanks guys. If u reccomend anything else let me know. Thanks again

 

What do u mean my brakes pulsate?? Im not to big on wrds. XC... I know when i brake i have a slightly bad vibe from the back tires..

 

Idk if i have winter blend gas.. I live in fresno cali. So maybe i do???

 

Just this passed week I checked and I'm getting 12-14! I'm going to have to do full maintenance...

 

Dang. And i thought i was doing bad...

 

If got what you are getting I'd be golden.

 

The mileage on my 4 cyl has dropped quite a bit here recently too. Like from around 24 to 19ish.

I think its a combination of winter mix gas, and I need the 100,000 mile service.

My filter is new, my air pressure is good, but I'm running on plugs with 103,000 miles on them...

I hope to get it done soon.

 

man i think you really need to do a tune on your taco... Hope you can get better gas mileage soon..

ooh and btw do you guys think that an exhaust will help save gas.. is it worth the buy??

 

A header and free flowing muffler can generally give you a couple mpg ( if you can keep your foot out of it, that is ) but to do this strictly for mpg gain is fools journey, considering the up-front cost vs. payback time.

If a few mpg less is seriously putting you "down the drain", you should consider a higher mpg vehicle with all the driving you do. You used to get 24-25 combined?!? What you're getting now seems to be closer to the norm. I don't think I ever got over 23 highway with my last Taco, which was a 4x4 reg cab.

 

Your brake pedal should be smooth with no vibrations when you apply the brakes. Warped rotors or drums will cause the vibration to be felt in the pedal. Warping can be caused by slow brake release which causes too much heat (sticking shoes, pads, pistons, guide pins). It can also be caused by a seized piston or guide pin, or overly agressive braking/two foot driving. Sticking and seizing are the worries for bad mpg, as far as brakes are concerned. The others are just poor driving habits.
Check the brakes for problems. It's easy to see with the wheels off. Look for uneven wear of pads/shoes and bluing of the rotors/drums.