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Looking for advice on making my Tacoma more fuel efficiant

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by jtson21, Aug 8, 2023.

  1. Aug 9, 2023 at 10:14 PM
    #41
    henryp

    henryp Well-Known Member

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    Form follows function
    Bro, take up walking. It might cost you a few shoes per year but you’d be super healthy.
     
    ToyoGreg likes this.
  2. Aug 10, 2023 at 9:19 AM
    #42
    Sharpish

    Sharpish Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    2015WhiteOR and RedWings44 like this.
  3. Aug 10, 2023 at 4:28 PM
    #43
    VTCAL

    VTCAL Well-Known Member

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    rotated tires changed oil threw out the old air freshener.
    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.
     
    BC Hunter likes this.
  4. Aug 10, 2023 at 5:09 PM
    #44
    Sharpish

    Sharpish Well-Known Member

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    That’s true, if you want the time you can pay for it.
     
  5. Aug 10, 2023 at 9:48 PM
    #45
    sean.hwy

    sean.hwy Well-Known Member

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  6. Aug 11, 2023 at 6:54 PM
    #46
    VTCAL

    VTCAL Well-Known Member

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    rotated tires changed oil threw out the old air freshener.
    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.,...;-)
     
  7. Aug 12, 2023 at 11:17 AM
    #47
    lynlan1819

    lynlan1819 Well-Known Member

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    Go back to completely stock everything,and that's the best you can get
     
    SmoothTRD likes this.
  8. Aug 12, 2023 at 1:34 PM
    #48
    Fishycoma

    Fishycoma Active Member

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    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.
     
  9. Aug 12, 2023 at 1:41 PM
    #49
    knayrb

    knayrb Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    BC Hunter likes this.
  10. Aug 12, 2023 at 2:13 PM
    #50
    roundrocktom

    roundrocktom Well-Known Member

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    My secret to getting 99 mpg.

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

    Tacoma_Velomobile.jpg
     
    knayrb, ace96, Toyko Joe and 2 others like this.
  11. Aug 12, 2023 at 4:52 PM
    #51
    Steelhead Bum

    Steelhead Bum Well-Known Member

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

    How do the lights work? Battery or pedal power?
     
  12. Aug 12, 2023 at 4:54 PM
    #52
    mosccat

    mosccat Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  13. Aug 13, 2023 at 5:47 AM
    #53
    roundrocktom

    roundrocktom Well-Known Member

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    Small battery for lights, turn signal, and horn.
     
    Steelhead Bum[QUOTED] likes this.
  14. Aug 13, 2023 at 6:14 AM
    #54
    Toyko Joe

    Toyko Joe Here for the pictures

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    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.
     
  15. Aug 13, 2023 at 7:52 AM
    #55
    Flo_TRD07

    Flo_TRD07 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  16. Aug 13, 2023 at 8:05 AM
    #56
    ace96

    ace96 Well-Known Member

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    AVS bug deflector, Weathertech digital fit floor mats, TRD skid plate w/ Sockmonkey decal, SOS Cocept sliders w/ Line-x, Pioneer 3500, Hybrid Audio Technology Mirus 6X9s & 6.5s, back up cam mod, Wet Okoles-front & rear, TRD exhaust, 17X9 XD Spy w/ Falken Wildpeaks, Avid light bar
    Have to know more about the velomobile.
     
  17. Aug 13, 2023 at 8:08 AM
    #57
    GTGallop

    GTGallop Well-Known Member

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    Dash Cams and Hams!
    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.
     
  18. Aug 13, 2023 at 8:41 AM
    #58
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    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.
     
  19. Aug 13, 2023 at 9:20 AM
    #59
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    BC Hunter likes this.
  20. Aug 13, 2023 at 9:40 AM
    #60
    Toyko Joe

    Toyko Joe Here for the pictures

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    Never said to keep the truck.
     

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