Finally broke down and joined :-)

Hey gang.... 16 year Taco Owner with 270k miles. Been perusing the forum for many years for great tips, but have finally run into a problem that I haven't been able to solve.

I have read all the "Poor MPG" threads I could find and I still find myself scratching my head:

I had to take the truck to the shop to have some front end components changed, installed new shocks, tires, wipers, air filter and AC recharged. When I picked up the truck, I noticed my mpg's dropped significantly. Also, I noticed that the hose that runs from the air cleaner across the top of the engine over to the charcoal canister was broken, so I inserted a hose nipple at the break. I have run through 3 tanks and am getting 204 miles to the tank. Typically I would get 290 miles to the tank.

The vehicle:
a) 2001 3.4 Extended Cab Prerunner TRD
b) Tires 265/75/R16
c) Fluids are topped off
d) Mileage at best was 19, generally averages 17mpg, so typical mpg until now.
e) Typical air filter (paper, recently changed)
f) MAF cleaned with disc brake cleaner
g) Reset ECU

The truck idles at 700 rpms when warm and about 1100 when first started... which is fairly normal. Winter gas vs Summer gas has never produced results like this.... again, this started after picking my truck up from the shop.

What am I missing here.... I've have read and read through the forums, but nothing seems applicable. I just purchased an OBD2 reader and am trying to see if there is anything that shows up as a clue.... I'm still learning how to sort through the info. Any thoughts on what I should be testing or looking for?? I'm trying my best to keep from buying new parts until the problem goes away.... LOL.

Thanks for the forum and I hope we can figure this crap out.

 

Howdy and welcome !

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome!

What tires did you put on and what tires did it have previously? Increasing tire size and weight can have a huge impact.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

This was my first thought. Even if theyre the same size they can be a few LBS heavier which will cause a big drop off. I just got new tires for mine. Size stayed the same but theyre lighter so Im seeing 30-40 more miles per tank now.

 

Welcome Aboard

Sounds like tires and if you changed rims.
Extra weight could be the only logical explanation. Extra mass and energy
to cover extra weight.

 

Welcome to TW... I’ve had 4 Tacoma’s and they’ve all gotten shitty mpg. I figured it was just the nature of the beast or maybe the 4 inch lift and oversized tires and other shit I put on my truck. Sounds like you were at getting good mpg at one time and it dropped dramatically so I hope you get it figured out.

 

I replaced the Falken Wildpeak AT's with Goodyear Wranglers (weight about the same aprox 45lbs), same size and I still have the original rims on the truck. I am the 2nd owner of the truck. First owner totaled it, it was rebuilt and I purchased it the following year (Salvage Title). The front end was never quite right throughout the years but was good enough and didn't eat the front tires up too badly. This is why I had the frontend rebuilt recently.. it was simply time. Surprisingly, after new tires and realignment I have less rolling resistance than ever. This damn thing will coast forever now... which is what really has me perplexed as it relates to the mpg. It simply doesn't add up.

 

Welcome