Does this sound right? MPG

Does it sound right that I get 15.5mpg combined with the KDMaxx Pro tune and 265/70/17 tires? I usually cruise at 80 so that could be a factor too. I am asking because I love my truck but my tires aren’t huge and it’s a mid size with a 6 cyl and getting less mpg than a 5.7 tundra v8. It’s the only thing that has me about to trade

 

15.5 is more than I get in my 5.7L combined

but it does seem a little low. I get about 18-19 combined in my taco ~ no tune, same tires

 

I have the KD Pro tune on 33" tires and a 2.5" lift and get, on average, about 16.5-17 with highway commuting. But...I drive 70 all the time. If I go to 80mph, I will get 14-16mph. It's your speed for sure.

 

How much of your driving is at 80mph? That speed is a killer of fuel economy for the truck.

 

Going that fast will eat up the fuel.

I have no tune, but i have 33s, a lift, and front bumper w a winch and i can get 16 around town, more on the freeway.
Use the cruise at a slower speed.

 

I get 14.5mpg. 99% city drive. I have 3/2 inch lift with 285/75/16 tires. There are different factors.

 

I had an hour and a half trip yesterday and cruised at 80 for the majority and was shocked to see 15.5 average for the trip when I parked. I am going to do the same trip next weekend and try at 70 and see what I get. I used to get 18-20 before the tunes but HATED the driving experience. Got the OVtune and got a better driving experience but dropped to an average of 15-16. Then got the KD PRO and the truck is finally ALIVE! Absolutely love it now but the MPG are worse than most V8’s. Wondering if the torque conversions are going to hurt the “Toyota longevity” of the truck now

 

Based on the way you said you drive, that MPG sounds juuuuuuuust about right. Stop driving your truck like it's a sports car and your MPG's will improve.

 

FWIW 2nd gen here but I'm driving 75mph for the majority of my commute with LT265/70/17's and im averaging 14.5 in winter.

 

ok, fair enough lol. When there is no one on the road with you and it’s just open road…80 even seems slow. I guess it’s my driving style which is good to know. I was worried it was something different t but great to get everyone’s thoughts

 

Yes.

If there was empirical evidence the tune actually increased mpg, they would make a definitive claim, which they dont. Looking at various tuning maps you will see the absurd amount of hype for what is mainly (not all) just more power and torque at lower rpm. You are evidence that mpg suffer in exchange for a better driving experience. Wont see that advertised.

If you add armor or a roof rack you can expect another 1-2 mpg loss.

I got 22-23 stock, change to wildpeaks, removed air damn, added a skid and eibach lift, now I’m around 17-18. Adds up to $$$ over the course of a year.

Drive around 65 for a stretch and see your mpg go up 2-3. Thats a FACT.

…or trade it.

 

I can only comment on this fact, because my truck isn't tuned. 95% of my driving, is highway driving when I do my daily commute to/from work. I never drive above 65MPH. Because I drive that slow, my truck can easily average 19.8 MPG for the entire tank. If I try a little bit, I can get that pushed to 20.8/21.0 MPG for the entire tank.

Last week I took a road trip to the Austin area. It was 344 miles round trip. I got 23.5 MPG's for the entire tank. When it was time for me to fill up, I had 431 miles on the trip odometer, with 6miles DTE.

 

https://www.havocspeed.com/3rd-generation-toyota-tacoma-ovtune-dyno-results/

 

I think the 80 mph part is the big factor….these trucks have the aero of a brick going through the air and resistance increases by the square of the speed.

You can easily see it driving down the highway. Go about 70-75 and note the MPG on the dash, then find an 18wheeler going the same speed and get in, even by a full length of it, behind. You don’t have to be all that close. The meter will shoot up.

 

Agree with the 80mph being a big factor. I have a 2" lift, 255/80's and quite a bit of weight added to my truck and I can still get 17-18 on the highway as long as I go 70-75mph.

 

Nah, KDMax neither helped or harmed my gas mileage, but i did get a better driving experience.

I was about 15 mpg before and after. It did improve for a short time, but back to what it was.

Lift (~2"), Tires (Toyo AT3 265-75-16), and 80 mph gets me about 14.5. Ive got fresh plugs, new tires, fresh air cleaner, and i recently ran through seafoam FI cleaner just in case.

If i go 65 it increases dramatically. these trucks are as aerodynamic as a brick. when you put bigger heavier trail tires, and jack em up in the air of course youre going to lose some mileage.

 

"I usually cruise at 80 so that could be a factor too."--Problem identified.

 

My KDMax tuner said, "you may or may not get better mileage but, you're going to enjoy driving it so much at first that you'll get worse mileage until you learn to behave."

It was fun for a while and now...i've grown up a bit and seldom go over 70mph and get decent mileage.

 

You must have the skinny pedal to the floor to reach 80, 3rd gens don't like north of 65.

 

KDmaxx pro tune and it’s at 80 without a blink. It’s a completely different truck than stock. I would highly recommend. I just need to learn to driver slower For the MPGs