Average MPG?

I drive a v6 04 prerunner and I'm getting about 15mpg with my soft top bed cover. When I didn't have it, I was getting about 13mpg. Is that normal or average? If not, what can I do to help it? I do want to run an engine cleaner for like carb build up and such. Do you guys think it's a good idea to run a cleaner?

 

It depends on driving style but that seems pretty low. Are you pretty heavy on the throttle in daily driving? If you suspect carbon build up you can try some seafoam in the tank or better yet take off the throttle body and clean it up real good and clean the mass airflow sensor with a dedicated MAF cleaner.

I did that when I changed my spark plugs last and while it didn’t make a huge difference because everything was already fairly clean, my 04 v6 4x4 gets 19-21mpg with a fiberglass shell, roof racks, 2.5” lift and all terrain tires. 13-15mpg for a prerunner seems low…

I do drive like a grandma though.

 

it does. i've had some recent work done (new injectors, etc.) but i'm getting 15mpg on my 02 4x4 DC while towing a small offroad trailer that isn't exactly aerodynamic.

i'd check all the usual stuff, fuel filter, sparkplugs, etc.

 

Is the check engine light on?

 

Basics first - Check tire pressure, replace air filter, replace fuel filter, clean throttle body/MAF, check spark plug wires and spark plugs, run some Seafoam through the system.

 

I'm getting 16-18mpg in mixed driving, can get low 20s with 100% interstate miles. loudboy's list is a good place to start, also if you have larger tires than stock you'll need to adjust your mileage to get an accurate measurement. Can use a calculator like this: I have 235/85r16 tires, so my adjustment is 3.7%

 

Similar situation with my ‘03 base cab 2.4L manual. Around 16 mpg mixed driving (a lot better highway only). Doesn’t burn any oil, standard tires inflated. All the other little things like plugs, injectors cleaned, MAV cleaned, air filter always clean. Don’t have the money to have someone diagnose sensors. Idles nice. Some say you just hit a lower MPG after 116k and accept it. I’d be stoked just to get 18 MPG (with gas prices now). Not gonna spend hundreds trying to get that, tho (possibly without success).

 

My '04 3.4 5-speed 4x4 gets 14-16 around town/90% city driving (
Highway gets me 20mpg with the a/c off, windows up, and cruise at 60-65mph

32" E load range (62lbs/per) mud tires and a fresh tune up (plugs, oil change, MAF clean, fresh air filter)
The tune-up is probably your best place to start

 

Mine probably gets that too, all freeway. City driving really cuts down my overall MPG. (Heh, no duh).

 

Hilly city driving I’m at 14-17, highway at 18-21 in 99 4wd taco 3.4 manual 226k with 3” lift, 265/75/16s, ARB bumper with steel lined winch, fiberglass topper and sleeping platform that must weigh >300lbs. Being easy with acceleration and thoughtful early braking + keeping it at 70mph or below helps a lot.

 

My '98 2.7L manual gets 20mpg. Highway, urban, stop and go, drive slow, drive hard, it always gets within a few tenths of 20mpgs.

 

reg cab 4x4 auto 16 city, 17hwy

 

My ‘02 gets 18-20 pretty consistently with mixed driving.
Start with list above and ease up on the throttle maybe?

 

Not Milage related, but do you know when the Lower Ball Joints were last replaced. Did this truck have a good maintenance history with it.

Back to milage stuff. My 03 DC 3.4L was getting around 15 mpg. I threw a misfire code and replaced all the plugs and wires with a new air filter. I'd already cleaned the throttle body and MAF. After the new plugs and wires, I'm backup to around 18 average and 21-23 on the highway. Good Luck and a Nice looking truck.

 

Sounds pretty low to me. I’m getting about 18-19 with my 2” lift, 33s and 4.56 gears, V6 manual. Are your tires oversized with stock gearing? I know when I had 3.91 gears and 33s I was getting 13-14mpg

 

My 02 totally stock extended cab with 500K miles still gets 22 mpg on the highway

 

That seems low to me too.

My supercharged 04 V6 access cab 4x4 on 33” mud terrains and steel wheels and weighs 5800 pounds gets 14.5mpg

 

17 MPH on pavement and 10 MPH on long dirt excursions.

 

No check engine light. I have done the spark plugs and wires not to long ago, how often do they need to be changed?

 

I have a k&n air filter in it. And aren't injectors expensive? I think I'm going to clean the MAF and stuff like that and run seafoam before I take it to get done by someone else.