Beyond Terrible Gas Mileage

For the entire time I've owned the truck, its gotten very poor gas mileage. I rarely take it on the interstate because it sucks up the gas I have in it so quickly. I don't think I have a fuel leak. I do know I need a tune up however. I looked online and these trucks got 18/21. I'm getting about 10-12 city and maybe 15-16 highway if I drive slowly. It's becoming a problem due to me being in college and only being able to do a little work to earn some money on the weekends and gas being $3.17 a gallon, I'm putting gas in it every 2-3 days. Any ideas of what could be causing this?

 

Any check engine lights?

Change spark plugs
Change air filter
Change fuel filter
Clean throttle body
Clean MAF sensor
Check air pressure in tires is correct

 

Need more information:
-Engine
-Transmission
-Wheels/tires
-Lift
-Anything else

 

Check Engine light is on. Due to a mechanic I hired putting in an AutoZone MAF sensor instead of a Toyota one. Spark plugs and air filter are brand new. Air pressure is also good.

 

I got the 3.4 V6. Transmission needs U-joints replaced. Tires are currently dry rotted and have low tread. No lift. Suspension is original. Air filter housing has holes in it from previous owner. Need anymore info?

 

MAF could be the cause. Is the transmission manual or automatic and what is your RPM's?

 

You only pay 3.17 a gallon?!?!?!
Its 4.10 in Cali.

Im sad now

 

I got the automatic. I tend to only push my truck when necessary so I don't really exceed 3200 RPMs

 

I used to pay $2.85 lol but then gas sky rocketed. One reason why I like living in New Orleans lol

 

Which part of CA? We are at $3.87 in Sacramento.

 

SoCal. Specifically LA. Everything is expensive here

 

there's a lot of your problem. I cruise around 65-70mph and my truck hits around 2500 rpm.

 

OP

You stated that it is not lifted

You did not say if tires are stock so Im guessing they are bigger than stock with that type of gas mileage

If you want decent gas mileage sell it and get a 4 banger

If ya dont want to sell it, keep in mind that playing is not cheap

 

Dont be sad, there is a reason it is that high there.

Maybe the folks will figure out why one day and what they could do to change it, until then, happy motoring.

 

100% of the time its the diver's fault for poor gas mileage.

Let up on the gas pedal/ And you will notice a night and day difference.

 

Did you have the code read?

 

Its that high because people around here find it way to easy to pay for things that are over priced. and suckers like me get stuck trying to drive home on mostly downhill to save on gas.

 

Fix the holes in the air filter housing, then disconnect the battery for ten minutes to clear codes. If the light stays off, the problem is caused by the air filter holes. Your truck is running in open loop when the light is on. You are burning more fuel than needed. Plus you will kill your catalytic converter as well. You do not want to buy a new cat. They are expensive.

 

If the Maf sensor is throwing an engine code it will decrease mpg. Have heard of a lot of codes thrown from dirty maf and the got poor milage. Check the engine code and see exactly what its for. The u joints needing replaced probably isn't helping the mpg either.

 

Tires are 265/70/R16 and rear ones are almost out of tread. Previous owner must have upgraded them.