Looking for advice on making my Tacoma more fuel efficiant

Bro, take up walking. It might cost you a few shoes per year but you’d be super healthy.

 

Negative. It’s not a linear relationship. Wind resistance increases as the square of speed. So the resistance at 100 isn’t twice that of 50, it’s 4 times.

 

fortunately, wind resistance is not the only controlling factor.

The difference between (Stay Alive Drive 55) and 80 mph+ is substantial, but one does get there quicker WHEN nothing else gets in the way.

 

That’s true, if you want the time you can pay for it.

 

20 mpg for a large 4.0 v6 4x4 is really good. I only get 23 mph on they hwy with my srunner v6 3.4L 5spd 2wd. I probably only get 20mph around town. I just got it and have not checked for around town.

The only pick up that I know that gets crazy mileage is vw diesel caddy. They get 30+ mpg.
https://www.fuelly.com/car/volkswag...engineconfig_id=350&bodytype_id=&submodel_id=

 

In example:

Wintertime, I provide rescue services at a local ski area.
It's a 30 mile drive give or take. Mostly I like the back road ways, but when the weather is bad or the roads soft, I stick to the main road. (paved)
I frequently get impatient with timid drivers on summer tires in iffy conditions. I don't blame them, I just want to get around and go at my own pace.

The number of times I have made the questionable pass a few miles back only to find the same vehicle on my bumper at the only traffic light encountered on my way is sobering.

Most of the "got to go faster" feeling is all for nothing.

Again, do the math.,...;-)

 

Go back to completely stock everything,and that's the best you can get

 

After cleaning the throttle body on a few vehicles with oiled air filters, I don't use them anymore. Keeping them oiled just enough to prevent dirt/dust getting by while not too much to avoid oil getting sucked through wasn't something I enjoyed. It was much more satisfying throwing in a paper filter. 20 is pretty good mileage. I get 17 on my 2wd, but it has a high 200lb camper shell.

With that long of a commute, I'd definitely do the math on what a more fuel efficient car would net you. At least the tacoma has good reliability with high mileage.

 

Are you after MPG or $PG? If you are trying to drive cheaper then just drive light and nice. Not much else you can do that makes much difference. If you are after 1-2 MPG range then put in higher octane or no ethanol gas. You spend more but get better mileage.

 

My secret to getting 99 mpg.

Drive 18 in Tacoma, Pedal 81 miles in my velomobile.

 

First time seeing one of these. Had to google it to see wtf it was.

How do the lights work? Battery or pedal power?

 

put some skinny tires, front air dam & a tonneau cover on it. Drive without any shoes on and learn when the torque converter is locked. Drafting will help too. I get 24mpg consistently in my 3.5 2020 on longer drives, 400 mile per tank easy.

 

Small battery for lights, turn signal, and horn.

 

This. If you’re going to have a 500 mile regular work week commute and the week to week fuel cost is hurting you, consider a Corolla.

 

Everyone here has said take the K&N off but I just put a "CAI" on my truck (its just a short ram intake) with a flowmaster 40, and I'm seeing a bump in about 2-3 mpgs even just driving around town. As of right now my truck is sitting at 3/8ths of a tank and it's the most miles I've ever gotten out of a tank. Even more than when I drove the truck completely stock across the country from Florida to California. I'm lifted with offroad tires now so take that how you will.

 

Have to know more about the velomobile.

 

The only three things that are really within your control are...
1. Reduce the weight of the vehicle. That means getting all of our gear and stuff out. Ditch the spare tire and jack, empty the glove box and all of the storage spots. Wash the under carriage really well. After some off roading in other trucks I think I've had 60-100lbs of dried, caked on mud and clay up under there. Pull out the seats you aren't using. Change your tires to low rolling resistance tires that weigh less than the tires you have now.
2. Reduce Air Drag. Take off anything that causes friction with the air. That means any racks, light pods, extra antenna, etc. CLEAN the truck, wash and wax or graphite nanao ceramic it. Make sure your tires are aired up properly.
3. Drive it like a grandpa. Easy does it with the throttle. Try t coast as much as you can. There used to be a trick to efficient driving called "Hyper-Miling." It isn't safe but you can learn from it and apply some of the principles to how you drive. Dad told me, if you want to learn how to drive efficiently go into town and find a Yellow Cab. Then follow him. I figured out pretty quick how to make it all over Dallas without hitting a stop light. Its all about timing - not too fast and not too slow. Just always keep moving - like a shark.

But also be reasonable and understand you still drive a truck. It still has a ballistic coefficient of a toaster over. It still has heft and weight for the anticipated load capacity. There is only so much you can do and most of it is not reasonable (like removing seats).

The best and most fuel efficient vehicles are going to be a Hybrid with a turbo charged / super charged 4 cylinder that has automatic start stop, regenerative braking, and plugs in at night to charge. Might want to look into one of those.

My neighbor has a Hybrid Jeep Rubicon. He drives it casually and easy. Says around town the gas engine rarely kicks on and the 40 mile range is enough to get him around to all of the errands and back home where it trickle charges for the next day. Hard to believe but he said he's getting like 60 MPG in a Rubicon with off road tires. Largely due to his work from home lifestyle but that's what he's getting.

 

EPA highway rating for 2010 V6 4x4 is exactly 20 mpg, so it's unlikely you'll be able to better it in normal driving. In the eight years I had my 2nd gen, I got 20 mpg on only one tank out of 380 fill-ups.

Keep your speed below 65 mph if traffic conditions allow it (may be too slow in on your region and therefore unsafe).

If the rear diff oil is more than 3 years old, change to a 75W90 synthetic.

 

If the corolla got 2x the mpg as the truck (lets be nice and say 40mpg) @ 500mi a week @ $5/gal of gas = $62.5/week for the Corolla. Thats a 62.5$/week savings or $3250/yr.

It might make sense to buy a $5000 car.... if that commute continues, but lets assume a VERY low registration/insurance of 500/yr. So savings is 2750/yr .... so almost two years of driving the second car (assuming ZERO costs of ownership outside of insurance and reg) before you recoop initial costs.

 

Never said to keep the truck.