3.5 vs 4.0 Engines MPG.

I got 22 mpg today on my latest road trip. That’s the best I’ve ever gotten. It was 2 Lane country roads so speed was down under 55mph.

 

2012 stats 124 fillups vs 2016 50 fillups

 

I came from driving a 350z so that is why it felt scary with the 245's

 

Hi All!
I have a 2009 4.0 DoubleCab ShortBox 6 speed MT
I live at 2200 feet above sea level
I use Shell V Power ZERO Ethanol 91 octane gas
All fluids are synthetic and I grease my zerks and clean my MAF sensor every 6 months with oil change
I am lifted 3 inches and have P rated 285/70/17 Firestone Destinations in the summer and P rated 285/70/17 Blizzak DM-V1s in the winter
Tires are set at 29 psi
The truck has 94,000kms on it (58,750mi)

I have journal-ed my driving habits/air pressure/trip conditions/shift points/etc in an Excel sheet since new. While this is not scientific, it has proven to be useful in showing trends in mpg for driving/shifting/speed/similarities over the last ten years. I've installed a vacuum gauge in the truck and drove for vacuum values. I've driven for RPMs. I've driven for slow acceleration and fast acceleration. I've driven in third gear at 60kph (37.5mph) in the city and fifth gear at the same speed over periods of time. I've done the same at highway speeds (5th vs 6th) and 100kph (62.5mpg), 110kph (68.75mph) and 120kph (75mph).

Most recently, I watched a video on shifting gears and fuel economy by Engineering Explained on YouTube and tried his method.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNspNdVkslA

I am now shifting at 2200rpm in first and 2000rpm each shift after until I reach city speeds in 5th. I am accelerating at "traffic speed"; meaning: fast enough not to hold anyone behind me up, but not fast, by any means.

Prior to this I was trying another persons suggestion, which was to accelerate "quickly" to get into higher gears faster and supposedly keep the engine in a more efficient part of the power band. I was averaging 17.5-19 IMP MPG (14.4-15.6 US MPG) with 50/50 mixed driving. Now, with the above mentioned driving style I am averaging 22-23.2 IMP MPG 50/50 mixed driving and my three best 100 % highway numbers have been 26 IMP MPG (21.4 US MPG) on a trip in June, 26.8 IMP MPG (22 US MPG) on a trip in February and 26.9 IMP MPG (22.1 US MPG) on a trip in July with a ton of 23-25(18.5-20.5) numbers consistently.

In MY experience, the 6 speed manual gives the best MPG by accelerating moderately and shifting at 2000 rpm and running in 5th in city driving situations. On the highway, my best numbers were driving at 110kph (68.75mph) in 6th at 2200rpm.

I'm really happy with my numbers, especially lifted on 33s (32.9s)!!!

I have ordered OVTune and Matt says it will be here in the next two days. I'm interested to see if these numbers can be improved with the new tune and torque curve.

Cross my fingers!!

Cheers!!

Barrett