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Poor fuel economy on a 2002 toyota tacoma 4 cyl

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Mightyhunter, Jul 5, 2015.

  1. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:22 PM
    #1
    Mightyhunter

    Mightyhunter [OP] Member

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    Hello, I have a Tacoma with 69k miles on it, have replaced the spark plugs and had an oil change, and I am only getting around 14-15 mpg. I have no idea what is causing it. I drove on the interstate for about 30 miles @ 65 mph and went to fill up to see. Any help would be appreciated.
     
  2. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:33 PM
    #2
    Artruck

    Artruck Well-Known Member

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    4x4 or prerunner or 5 lug? Manual or auto? What body style?
     
  3. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:36 PM
    #3
    Mightyhunter

    Mightyhunter [OP] Member

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    It isn't a 4x4, but what is the difference between a prerunner and 5 lug?
     
  4. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:37 PM
    #4
    Artruck

    Artruck Well-Known Member

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    The number of bolts on each wheel.... 6 or 5

    The prerunner is basically a 2wd version of the 4x4
    the 5 lug is the mini truck
     
  5. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:42 PM
    #5
    Mightyhunter

    Mightyhunter [OP] Member

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    It has 5 on each wheel.
     
  6. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:44 PM
    #6
    Artruck

    Artruck Well-Known Member

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    Ok, I would check the air filter and make sure all your plugs are getting spark. Does it run and idle smooth? How does it brake? Does it shift ok?
     
  7. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:48 PM
    #7
    Mightyhunter

    Mightyhunter [OP] Member

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    Brake and Shifting seems fine, it seems to run alright. I will try to see if all cylinders are firing tomorrow.
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2015
  8. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:53 PM
    #8
    Artruck

    Artruck Well-Known Member

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    Ok, my guess would be one of the plugs isn't firing right. Did the mileage go down after the plug change?
     
  9. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:55 PM
    #9
    Mightyhunter

    Mightyhunter [OP] Member

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    I changed the plugs hoping that one of them was bad, it stayed relatively the same.
     
  10. Jul 5, 2015 at 9:58 PM
    #10
    Artruck

    Artruck Well-Known Member

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    Coil packs? Any codes?
     
  11. Jul 5, 2015 at 10:03 PM
    #11
    Mightyhunter

    Mightyhunter [OP] Member

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    No codes, and didn't mess with the coil pack.
     
  12. Jul 6, 2015 at 2:57 AM
    #12
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    What plugs did you use?
     
  13. Jul 6, 2015 at 4:05 AM
    #13
    GreeGunc

    GreeGunc Full of regret

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    Clean maf to.
     
    Rmodel65 likes this.
  14. Jul 6, 2015 at 7:03 AM
    #14
    Mightyhunter

    Mightyhunter [OP] Member

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    I used ngk platinum plugs.
     
  15. Jul 6, 2015 at 10:05 AM
    #15
    Mightyhunter

    Mightyhunter [OP] Member

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    All spark plugs are firing, and the MAF is clean. The air filter is a little dirty, though. Can it really cause me to get that much less miles?
     
  16. Jul 6, 2015 at 12:36 PM
    #16
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    Not really but I try to change mine yearly. Maybe replace your fuel/air sensor. Before that, I would recommend dumping some injector cleaning in the tank (Techron concentrate)
     
  17. Jul 6, 2015 at 3:26 PM
    #17
    Caligula

    Caligula Well-Known Member

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    Do a full tune up. Check your tire pressure. Get smaller tires. Check your manifold vacuum and do a compression test.

    I also get around 15-16 mpg. Assuming the engine is in good order, there's nothing else you can do. It's not a Prius, it's a pickup truck and a 13 year old one at that.
     
  18. Jul 6, 2015 at 7:19 PM
    #18
    Mightyhunter

    Mightyhunter [OP] Member

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    I appreciate the help from the thread, thanks.
     
  19. Jul 6, 2015 at 8:12 PM
    #19
    Rmodel65

    Rmodel65 Yukon Cornelius

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    I would replace the primary o2 it's old even though you only have 69k miles. I get about 26-28mpg in my 96 4x4 with the 5spd and 2.7 when I'm on the road
     
  20. Jul 6, 2015 at 9:05 PM
    #20
    frizzman

    frizzman Well-Known Member

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    You have a PreRunner, he has a mini with 2.4L. should be seeing mid-to-high 20's even with auto. unless you have a steel block for a right foot, or 300+lbs in the bed constantly.

    smaller tires isn't the answer if they are stock, you'll get worse mpg if you start messing with ratios. the other tests I can see doing. check for leaks at the heads/manifold maybe seals are bad :notsure:

    that's some good hyper-miling!
     

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