Toyota Tacoma Bad Gas Mileage

Hi,
I just purchased my first Toyota Tacoma in June, 2014 Sport model, 4 door, extended cab, 6ft bed with 14,000 miles on it.

I also just started a new job where before I was working from home and not really driving to much, been at my new job for 3 weeks now driving about 130 miles round trip, all highway, I have 3 miles of none highway driving.
My question is, my truck is drinking gas. Filled it up Sunday night, now its Tuesday morning and I have roughly driven 200 miles and I am below a half of tank. The gas light will most likely be on by the time I get home. I average about 80 MPH on the highways.

Other things, I know its winter in the North East and I believe gas mileage is worse because of the additive or the cutting they do with the gas. I have also replaced the cabin filter as well as cleaned the air filter recently, tire pressure is on spec. Lastly, I tend to put "Plus" into the truck. At this rate I will average about $100.00 a week in gas at the current has prices.

According to the manual etc, its supposed to get 18 local, 21 highway, which we all know this isn't true. I haven't done the math yet but I will assume I am getting somewhere around 15 mpg.

Just looking for some additional info, maybe anything I am not thinking of to help this out. Seems pretty unreasonable.

Thanks
Joe

 

Hmmm could be lots of factors, your engine and wallet would prob be fine just using regular. Im sure someone will have a lot of options for you to try!

 

Less skinny pedal. Try to keep it below 2k rpm.

 

Winter gas and 80mph rides are what is killing your fuel economy.

Do the math on your fuel economy fill up and see where it really is at.

I still average around 17-18mph highway when going 80. My truck is stock minus an LED bar over my windshield and a CB antenna if those even affect anything.

Peoples numbers will vary widely since we all drive a bit different.

 

For refernece, the best my truck ever saw was 20.1 mpg. That was when it was bone stock and the entire tank was burned cruising at 65 on the interstate. Given the info you provided, it doesn't sound like anything abnormal is happening.

 

Do the math. MPT isn't a valid guess. See what's really happening.

Slow down. Not only is 80 illegal, it is wasteful. And if you 'average' 80, that means you are running higher than that too? The 2k-ish RPM range is your cruise target.

Install a Scan Gauge II. It will let you monitor real time consumption, both instantaneous and average. Much more accurate than a gauge needle.

Quit wasting funds on a higher octane than the truck calls for. It only lightens your wallet. If you want to spend more money, use non ethanol fuel. At least you'll get more MPG from that. (but I wouldn't bother, as there is no break even to be had here)

Yes, winter oxygenated fuel is worse on MPG. As much as 10%

If fuel is an issue at current prices, it will only get worse, because they won't stay down forever. But it is a good time to buy a gas sipper. People are getting comfortable with cheap fuel again, and buying less efficient rides for everyday use. New Prius, nicely equipped, are advertised under 19k here. Maybe you need an econo box as a daily, and save the truck for truck stuff?

 

Slow down!!!

 

Like everyone above said slow down.

I have a bone stock long bed 2wd drive and I usually see about 17 a tank. My driving is probably about 50/50 city/freeway.

Hate to say it but if you're looking for better mpg a truck probably isn't for you lol.

 

Thanks allot for the responses. I will give slowing down a shot and see where that goes. I have always had trucks, previous was a Ford Ranger. I may look towards a commuter car as well.

Next week when I am back to a full work week I will test going 65 MPH on the highway and see the results. Go from there.
Thanks much to the people that have replied.

 

If you run the numbers, you will probably have a hard time justifying the cost of a second car just to save fuel. Just additional insurance an upkeep on a second car will probably blow your saving, especially as cheap as gas is now and in the projected future. Just slow down a bit and and enjoy driving your new truck! Congrats.

 

You're going 200 miles and the tank is below half? It's roughly a 20 gallon fuel tank. So you're probably getting close to 17-19mpg. That's about spot on what the window sticker and Toyota says. You bought a truck. If you wanted 24-40mpg, this wasn't the best choice.

 

I typically get 325 miles per tank on average, so if you're getting around 380-400, you're doing pretty good.

 

130 miles round trip at 80mph is total about 1.6 hours. 65mph is 2 hours so it adds an extra 10 minutes each way to slow down. The fuel economy really changes with speed change but slower isn't always better (slower than 80 is better for sure). A scan gauge can tell you your instantaneous mpg while you drive and you can adjust accordingly instantly. With a subtle lift and bigger, heavier tires, I still can get between 17-19 in these winter months but I'm watching my mpg as it changes. Fast freeway speeds get me down to the 15 mpg or less depending but moderate speeds can get me those numbers. Around town in the 35-45 mph, I can get instantaneous in the 20's. Fuelly is showing my current mpg around 17.7 but my last two tanks were with my remote start warming it up before I went into it.

 

Sell your truck and buy mine. With a 4 cylinder and all the weight of skids, sliders, etc and on 32's i get 19-20 mpg and i average 80 on the freeway

 

And to note, my 17-19 mpg in the winter is with the 2012 DCLB sport so very similar to yours. Hwy traffic will be closer to 17.

ScanGaugeE Compact Multifunction Trip Computer with Customizable Real-Time Fuel Economy Digital Gauges

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004S...cangauge+e&dpPl=1&dpID=514EqJEdMfL&ref=plSrch

This is what I have.

 

Yeah but it takes you 4 minutes to get up to 80mph!

 

Only 3 haha!

 

I get 18 mpg so far. I can deal with it... in my old 3 series, i get 20-21 on premium....

 

I've been getting 14.1-15.1mpg since November. I think its a combo of shitty winter gas and 6 mile commute everyday, 5 miles of freeway and 1/2 mile 25mph on each end. In summer I get 16.5-17ish. The 4 hour drive to inlaws every few months at a steady 70mph and I can sometimes touch 20mpg. Have considered trading taco in repeatedly but haven't found anything I'd rather have for a replacement that checks all my boxes.