Gas Mileage

I have a 12 Dbl Cab Tx Pro. It has the 6 spd with the factory quick shifter. I average 14 -15 miles to a gallon. It's killing me. I don't drive it fast I try to keep the RPMs low. I had an 11 that got taken out by hurricane Irene. It was an auto same truck exactly and averaged 18-20.
Could it be the stick? Any one have any experience w this?

 

well its brand new. until everything loosens up and lubes up its going to get shit MPG. ALSO, its winter. winter mix gas sucks, and if you let your truck warm up before driving it, you burn more than a pint of gas per hour while idling...

 

Thanks guys. I agree. Dealer mech told me that the 4.0 doesn't even start breaking in till around 20000. I def think the AT had a bigger top gear. Toyota should come up with a turbo diesel.

 

x2 on the Ultra-gauge. It's relatively inexpensive and if you use it to its potential it'll pay for itself in months.

The key to mileage with the 6 speed is to imitate the auto (surprise!). Basically, keep the revs down as much as you can. For example, if I'm not accelerating at 35 mph, I'm in 6th gear, and if I am accelerating comfortably, I'm in 4th or 5th at 75-85% load. Rule of thumb for me for steady state driving is highest gear without going under 1100 rpm.

Unfortunately since we have a 0.85:1 6th instead of the 0.70:1 5th in the auto the speeds have to come down for good mileage too. The 6 speed can easily do low to mid 20s for mileage at 55 mph, but at 65 mph you're looking at maybe 20 mpg, at 75 mph about 16 mpg if the wind is in your favor.

If you have an ultra-gauge you can see how to actually use engine braking. The auto took care of that for you in your old truck but with the 6 speed it's bit of a pain to activate. For engine braking to occur, the engine must be spinning at least 1600 rpm, and it will cut fuel about 1-1.5 sec after the throttle is released. For example, if you're engine braking in 6th off of the freeway and want to use 4th and downshift without using the gas pedal (which isn't good for the clutch anyways) and the engine drops to idle during the shift, since you weren't pushing the throttle that whole time in 6th gear it won't engine brake 4th gear. The truck needs a blip of the throttle during the downshift to start engine braking the next gear.

 

Actually, it's more than that. The first minute or so after a winter cold start is about 1.6 gal/hr on with conventional oil in the sump, about 1.3 gal/hr or a little more on synthetic. After about 10 minutes of idling it'll be down to 0.7-0.8 gal/hr with either. Once the engine is fully warmed up normal idle usage is 0.33-0.36 gal/hr or so (after about 20 minutes of driving).

 

Thanks great info. I'm ordering the ultra gauge.

 

My 2011 started picking up around 12k. Before that, 14-15 up to 5k, 16-17 up to 10k, then all of a sudden, 18-19 and 21-22 highway

 

Hey OP, don't forget to check your tire pressure!! Even if your tire pressure light doesn't come on. I don't know where you're located, but sometimes the cold temp makes the tire pressure drop without turning on your warning light, but just enough to affect MPG noticeably.

I know your truck is new, but it's something that never hurts to look into.

 

This has been a dream of mine, having a nice 4cyl turbo diesel in a Tacoma. If I was rich I would get Mercedes to design me a diesel transplant motor.

 

Ohh...yeah...both my tacomas had low tire pressure from the dealer...down at 20lbs

That helps a lot...

 

whats "a factory quick shifter?"

 

Good idea on the tire pressure. Prob haven't checked it in a month. Not too bright Ill bet it's low! Quick shifter is made by TRD. You can order it from factory or install it yourself. Shortens the throw between gears and IMO tightens the whole deal up. URD makes one also that a lot of guys seem to like.

 

I have a 2010 sport and I give it hell from time to time, but average 16.5 in town. Highway the best I have got on a full tank driving 65-80 was 19.5. Stock tires, 2" block and 5100's set at 1.75"