4 Bangin, Fuel Sippin, Full Tank Challenge!

Put in 21.02 gallons once. Just to prove it was a 21 gallon tank. Ultragauge monitored of course. Did not sputter once.

Edit: It was only 20.99

Now awaiting lecture.

 

What the heck were you thinking, Dan!!

Oh, OK then (just noticed your edit). Now that I see you had a reserve of a few teaspoons of fuel, there wasn't anything to be worried about.

 

20.54 is my max, I usually don't go more than 50 miles past the light coming on but with a relatively short commute under 10 miles and several gas station choices along the way, I could push for 800. No I won't.

 

Well I made the trek across the US. From Bend, Oregon to Nashville, Tenn. I reset my 2nd tripometer before leaving and it read 2394.2 miles when I pulled into my friends driveway in Nashville. I averaged 24.3 mpg over the entire trip. Mind you my truck was loaded as full as it could be in the cab and bed with all my stuff. Plus I have a canopy shell on it which weighs about 150-200 lbs. My best tank being 25.7mpg from Rock Springs Wy. to Denver Co., I also had about an hour of stop and go traffic on that tank. My "worst tank" was 23.4mpg from outside Denver to somewhere in Nebraska.

I am thoroughly impressed with my mpg during this trip. I made sure all my fluids were correct, fresh synthetic blend oil change, rotated/balanced my tires, as well as proper tire pressure. No mods to my truck. I never used my AC once on the trip. I would roll down the passenger window a few inches, open the cab window and the windows to the canopy and that would create enough of a draft through the truck I never needed AC. I drove anywhere from 70-78 mph the entire way. Cruise control doesn't work very well on hills so I used my big toe mainly to keep the acceleration steady. Overall I am very impressed with my MPG for this trip. Was expecting 20mpg AT BEST being the truck was loaded down. I even got pulled over in Kansas City for my truck looking "suspicious"... haha!

Here is my fuelly for those who may be in doubt: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/092wdtaco/tacoma

 

Bought my used 2011(bone stock 2.7, 4x4, auto), 12 weeks ago. Had the "opportunity" to do a ton of freeway driving and light hauling last week. I was hauling rental tables and chairs back and forth, had AC on at times and tend to drive in "3" rather than "D" in heavy city traffic. I was shocked this was the tank full that got me to 400 and my best mpg to date of 22.32. I am very optimistic I can get more out of it with some tricks, mods. and better driving habits.

I know I might lose my man card here...but this made my day..and..I had to share it someone who might appreciate it!

On a different topic. Got to see firsthand how "non robust" my stock 3 leaf springs are. Went to dealer yesterday for free oil change and mentioned it to the Advisor. He claims Technician visually checked it out and said nothing was awry. Also said it was too late in the day for full blown test drive and inspection, he would order that up on next free oil change.

The good news is the Advisor did put it in writing, on the invoice, my complaint of a "harsh ride". Also I still have 18 months of warranty left on the truck. So hopefully I can build a case by the end of this year for the TSB 4 leaf replacement.

 

Welcome to Middle Tennessee! I work in Nashville and live in Murfreesboro. I think you'll like it here - most do. Let me know if there's anyway I can help you. Oh, and that's great mileage. Right in line with what I get with my AC Auto...

 

Got my all time best mileage a couple of weeks ago. Driving from Arkansas to Texas on I-30, filled up a near empty tank with 100% gasoline, drove about 100 miles on that tank before the trip. Ended up with 473 miles on 16.8 gallons, for 28.1 mpg.

 

Nice tank, beat my best.

 

That's excellent! I can't quite nudge mine over that 28 mpg mark. I'm getting close. Filled up today: 335.7mi @ 12.124 gal = 27.7 mpg. Maybe some 100% gas would do the trick for mine too.

 

I can guaranty it. Probably minimum 1.5 mpg maybe 2.

 

I'm sure ethanol-free would kick me over the 26-27 point on a road trip.

Around here, it's just so "iffy" with traffic.
I was rolling a GREAT tank this week and expected to see another 25.
Nope. Shopping with SWMBO Friday and heavy traffic coming home Thursday evening. Not my worst tank, but not that good either at 23.4 It's in the bottom 12 all-time.

 

Same with me. I'm glad I get the mileage I can while I can. I was still impressed and it pulled my butt out of a fire yet again. I got about 320 miles from this tank but it idled forever... hours.

I was going down the road on a day I tried to take off when my boss called, and I needed to get on a call immediately. Got off on the next exit and got in the back. Joined the call while turning the passenger's seat into a desk for laptop and enabling hotspot. I left it running with AC going.

My seat was a little small, but it made for nice office.

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This may help some find ethanol-free gas stations.

http://pure-gas.org/

 

Filled up today. Put 5 gallons in 2 weeks ago. Did a full fill of 19.42 gallons today. Drove a total of 562.2 miles - a total of 24.42 gallons = 23.0 MPG. 350 miles was 70-75 MPH interstate driving, rest was 3 mile trips, back and forth to work. About 45% city overall - My UltraGauge since Nov 1st 2012 has shown an average of 23.1 MPG Before then my driving was more mileage friendly and the Ultragauge showed 26.0 MPG since I acquired the gauge. Although after grocery store discounts and CC discounts I only paid $1.99 a gallon.

 

Good and Bad news.

The good news.

After 11 years of using my own pickup for work at Avery Brewing Co. Adam Avery decided it is time to spring for a Brewery pickup. So I should rarely need to use my truck for errands.

It will be available almost always during the week as it's primary use will be weekend events where we tow a draft trailer. The draft trailer has 5 taps on each side and can haul around 20 1/2 bbls inside. Previously we used a Dodge Sprinter diesel that was used all week by the sales group so I could never count on using it other than planned heavy loads. They frequently load up the 15 seat Sprinter with groups of liquor store and restaurant employees for dog and pony tours and educational events.

The new Pickup? A slightly used (8K) Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie Cummins Diesel, loaded. Badass hauling machine. We laid out for the 5yr/100K warranty so we'll see how Chrysler backs this 50K Behemoth.

The Bad News

The miles I put on the Tacoma for work really improve the tank average, with trips to Denver and back usually hitting 35-40 mpg, and with a $0.47 per mile reimbursement I haven't really paid for gas in years.

The new opportunity, I can finally ride my bike to work, work off a few pounds and put less miles on the Tacoma. I may go from gassing up every 5 weeks to every 2+ months?

 

Got to take the good with the bad. Kind of puts you in my situation, of a lot less driving and less favorable circumstances, as far as MPG is concerned.

 

Sounds like the challenge has changed!

 

Yep, how long between fills, and how many days I can pedal to work. And still beat 30 mpg.

 

I find myself frequently doing this exact same thing.

 

You may have to put fuel stabilizer in now