4-Cylinder PreRunner gas mileage

I get that on the highway with my 4.0L V6 X-Runner. A unmolested 4x2 4-banger should be able to achieve at least 27-28 mpg on the highway.

 

We have a 2016 Access cab I4 taco at work thats bone stock w/ 60 K miles.
and it gets close to 28 mpg on the highway. Automatic.

My 2012 v6 Prerunner gets around 19 mpg on the highway. Taller, Heavier,
bigger taller wheels and tires, Bull bar, etc. All play a roll in Wind drag which is
what your seeing cause your drop in MPG.

 

Despite most Tacomas being turned into off road type trucks and rolling around with the MPG of a 90s V8, it’s funny how the base low models are actually really great work trucks since the bed is easily accessible and they can do well on the highway. Sort of the “unseen side” of the Tacoma.

 

I agree ^ the little 4 cylinder base model is great if you just need a small work truck
or delivery vehicle (like ours) But after driving this truck for several months was what
sold me on getting my 2012. The one thing I notice most is the 4 cylinders peaky
power band. Which is common on 4 cylinders. If it's not in the 4K rpm range or higher
any real punch is lacking. Where the v6 torque spread is more broad across the rpm range .

 

Your weight of add-ons and the front face treatment are killing your fuel efficiency.

As comparison. I'm running a V-6, auto, 4wd all stock to get between 18-19 mpg in mixed highway/city.

Suggestions:
drop all weight possible.
get to a "trimmer and lighter" front treatment.
Keep it in tune
keep the air filter clean.
Stay tight on maintenance and fluids and lubrication
Monitor tire pressures with a pencil gauge each week or each fuel fill.
Easy right foot for acceleration and braking (coast when you can)

 

I had commented on this before but my old car ( 2001 Nissan Altima ) Got right at
20 mpg. 2.4 liter 4 cylinder.
So when I saw I was getting 19 mpg in the truck I felt that was pretty good for
a vehicle thats much larger with almost twice the cubic inches and way more comfortable.

 

2010 Prerunner w/ V6

 

Was your Altima's mileage "in town?" I have a 2008 Acura TSX, and I get about 23 mpg in city driving, but have gotten some darn good mileage on the highway...for example:

 

Both were gauged on the highway. The Altima never really was a gas sipper.
The 2.4 motor was not very efficient.

 

Very impressive. I was able to get 24mpg once when I drove away from the Rockies and had a tailwind. Constant downward slope for a hundred miles. I was barely on the gas the entire time.

 

What bumper is that me likey

 

The 2.7 is offered to meet a price point....not better MPG

 

A Twin turbo V4 would be awesome. Such a cool and rare design.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Taunus_V4_engine

 

Mine can pull about 23 in the warmer months, except it's a 4 speed auto

Mine will do about 26mpg highway.

 

Awesome.

 

It absolutely amazes me when someone starts a thread, immediately logs out, and a week later, they still haven’t been back.

 

Troll

 

German cars are designed for fuel economy. It's impressive you can get 25-30+ mpg in them, in a strong safe steel body of 4,000lbs, performance engine, with sometimes AWD.
The only reason Kia's and Hyundai's get better mpg (up to 45) is because they're flimsy thin 2,000lb shitboxes that will kill you in a crash.

I doubt Toyota put any of that fuel-saving technology German cars tend to have.
What do German cars do that probably helps with mpg?
-mapped to run engine hotter for efficiency
-electric fans
-turbo
-a valve that pumps vapor pressure fuel from the tank, back into the engine, to burn when decelerating down a hill so that the fuel injectors turn off (and thus spray no fuel at the time)

all things that Toyota probably did not put into the Tacoma because
1. they didn't give a shit
2. the somewhat increased mpg by putting stock useless baby tires they knew every owner would take off
3. their overall fleet mpg still meets EPA requirements because they sell more Corolla's
4. they did not spend extra money into the purchase price of the truck. They put all the design money into the frame. Nothing more. No heated auto dimming anti dazzle mirrors. Your extra high-end features are Steering Wheel and Pedals.
5.probably doesn't have a good drag coefficient. Stock old Mercedes E-class was a record-breaking 0.29 cd. I doubt any of our 2nd gen Taco's would get that in a wind tunnel.
6. the gear ratios are probably not optimized for mpg
7. and who knows what else

 

Thank you for your help. I’m new to this.