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4 liter gas mileage

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Groan Old, Apr 8, 2018.

  1. Apr 8, 2018 at 10:16 PM
    #1
    Groan Old

    Groan Old [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ken
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    Why is the mileage so shitty for this engine? The 6 liter Chevy V8's and Hemi Dodges get better than I do. My wife's 3.3 V6 in her '06 Sienna consistently gets 24 mpg, and it has 340K miles on it, and is pushing what aerodynamically is a 5000 pound shoe box. I do well to get 17, which is terrible for an extra .7 liter over the Sienna.

    I hear the 4-banger isn't much better. What's the deal with Toyota that they couldn't do any better with fuel efficiency in the design? From what I've read here, the 3rd gen's got a smaller displacement V6 to address this, but to get the same power, you have to run them at higher rpm's to get in the band, and then you're not getting any better than the 4L did running slower. Does the Tundra's V8 have the same issues?

    I know this has probably been beat to death, but my search brought up a bunch of garbage that didn't have much to do with gas mileage.

    So, what's the deal? Combustion chamber design? VVT timing? Gearing? ???
     
    kimo and DustStorm4x4 like this.
  2. Apr 8, 2018 at 10:29 PM
    #2
    crazysccrmd

    crazysccrmd Well-Known Member

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    Her 2006 Sienna has a coefficient of drag of .30, your truck has a Cd of .394 and they both weigh about the same. Both engines make similar power output pushing similar weight vehicles. Obviously the more aerodynamically efficient Sienna will get better fuel economy.
     
    Torspd likes this.
  3. Apr 8, 2018 at 10:42 PM
    #3
    inwood customs

    inwood customs Roaming potato

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    K&n, flowmaster, plastidip, chipped, hids, daves
    Not sure.

    20mpg last big highway trip.
    Passenger, luggage, 265/75/16, 2"lift, sliders, toolbox with tools, blower, headers, intake, up grades, passing people, avg 70/75mph, some crazy crosswinds and some headwinds.

    I got about 18 on the last semi long drive...ca to silverpeak nv..... from 1000ft to 7000ft above sea level, passenger, 100lb dog, a weeks worth of supplies, including 30lbs of dog food since we had just filled it.....60lb bed cover, and everything else mentioned earlier minus the toolbox... it was instead the same tools in a toolbag... the toolbox was a slimline kobalt so might have weighed 15lbs empty.
     
  4. Apr 8, 2018 at 11:45 PM
    #4
    Konvict KROG

    Konvict KROG Live Free or Die Trying

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    Old Toyota's, Power Wagon, and a Tacoma
    Traded the 2015 TRD Pro 6spd Supercharged on a PowerWagon and could not be happier. My 2011 Tacoma with the TX Baja package (Added by me) is still treating me great. My 1985 Toyota never skips a beat.
    My 2008 did about 18 city 22 hwy, 24 highest 13 lowest. 4x4 4cyl 5spd AC

    2006 4runner did about 18 city 22 hwy 4x4, 4.0 and auto

    2012 did about 18-19 city, 20-22 highway, 11 lowest 23.5 highest. 4x4 v6 auto. DCSB

    2013 did about 14 city, 18 highway 19 best 9 worst. 4x4 v6 6spd AC

    2015 does 12-14 city, 14-15 hwy 18 best, 5 worst.. 11.5 lifetime average.

    2017 does 18-20 city, 19-24 highway best 26, worst 11. Peerunner v6 auto.

    2000 does about 20 city 24 hwy or a little better, peerunner 4cyl auto

    85 does about 18 city 22 hwy 4x4 4cyl 5spd

    I always thought they did pretty good. But the are trucks.

    Any 4x4 or prerunner truck is way worse aerodynamics than a toyota minivan, or car. Big tires, more drag, more weight more agressive gearing, bigger engine etc.
     
  5. Apr 8, 2018 at 11:47 PM
    #5
    inwood customs

    inwood customs Roaming potato

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    The ladies camry just sips gas :thumbsup:
     
    Konvict KROG[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Apr 8, 2018 at 11:49 PM
    #6
    Konvict KROG

    Konvict KROG Live Free or Die Trying

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    Traded the 2015 TRD Pro 6spd Supercharged on a PowerWagon and could not be happier. My 2011 Tacoma with the TX Baja package (Added by me) is still treating me great. My 1985 Toyota never skips a beat.
    Yes tundras suffer too. All reliable similar vehicles suffer.

    3rd gens have a lot of newer tech vs 2nd gen and older that helps out.
     
  7. Apr 8, 2018 at 11:55 PM
    #7
    Konvict KROG

    Konvict KROG Live Free or Die Trying

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    Traded the 2015 TRD Pro 6spd Supercharged on a PowerWagon and could not be happier. My 2011 Tacoma with the TX Baja package (Added by me) is still treating me great. My 1985 Toyota never skips a beat.
    So did my wifes, rav4 did great, corolla was outstanding.

    There is a theme lol.

    Less drag
    Less weight
    Smaller tires
    Smaller engine
    Better gearing (for efficiency)
    Less rotational weight
    Higher tech engines with higher VE

    Aka
    Less rolling resistance
    Less parasitic loss
    Less pumping loss
    Lower drag co-efficient
    Lower rpm


    Also, spelling probably terrible here lol.
     
  8. Apr 9, 2018 at 1:21 AM
    #8
    ninernation

    ninernation Well-Known Member

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    Bulletproof engine but otherwise lackluster. Completely underwhelmed with the new engines in the Gen 3s too. Would love to see a Tacoma 4x4 get consistently into mid 20s highway.
     
  9. Apr 9, 2018 at 2:59 AM
    #9
    Blockhead

    Blockhead Well-Known Member

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    Not sure where the OP got the info about Dodge Hemi and Chevy V-8 getting better mileage than his Tacoma. I had three 1500 Ram Hemi’s before the Tacoma. The Ram got 11 mpg around town, 17-18 on the highway. Tacoma gets 13-14 around town, 20-22 on the highway...I live in hilly western Pa.
     
  10. Apr 9, 2018 at 3:43 AM
    #10
    sgtnewundies

    sgtnewundies Well-Known Member

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    Working on it now....UNDER CONSTRUCTION
    Before I did all my modifications I was getting a consistent 22 mpg. This is in the flatlands of Florida. With the modifications I get a consistent 17.5 mpg. What I have noticed is the majority don't know how to properly calculate MPG and this is part of the issue.
     
  11. Apr 9, 2018 at 4:51 AM
    #11
    TacomaMike37

    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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    Here is an SAT question for you OP, what do these all have in common?

    My buddy has a Ram, 12 mpg if he's lucky.

    Another guy I know has a raptor, 11mpg if hes lucky.

    Neighbor stock ecoboost F150 14mpg, maybe...

    WE OWN TRUCKS
     
    Johnnyk33 and Konvict KROG like this.
  12. Apr 9, 2018 at 5:08 AM
    #12
    mabepossibly

    mabepossibly I know enough to make an ass of myself

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    Same. I had 3 Silverado 5.3s before this Tacoma and averaged 16-16.5mpg in them over a combined 500k Miles. My Tacoma averages 17-18 doing the same driving. But I rarely pay for my own gas.

    If MPGs are important to you and you occasionally need pickup truck utility, I highly suggest buying a RAV4 and a small trailer.
     
    Konvict KROG likes this.
  13. Apr 9, 2018 at 6:04 AM
    #13
    knottyrope

    knottyrope Well-Known Member

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    my 09 taco and my 1995 F350 get similar MPGs but the Ford can haul 11k more at same MPG

    V6 gas vs V8 turbo disel
     
    inwood customs likes this.
  14. Apr 9, 2018 at 7:15 AM
    #14
    TegoTaco

    TegoTaco Well-Known Member

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    That’s why I’m thinkng of going go a Tundra in the near future, MPG’s are not far off, get way more power, more room and I’ve never had the pleasure of driving a V8. :)
     
    Pickeledpigsfeet likes this.
  15. Apr 9, 2018 at 7:21 AM
    #15
    TacomaMike37

    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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    If you are thinking of going Full size you should give the F150 a hard look.

    Im in the same boat with three growing boys, I will need a full sized. Would like a Toyota, but the Tundra is a dinosaur in so many ways, hoping they do a full change soon.
     
  16. Apr 9, 2018 at 7:30 AM
    #16
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    It’s a truck. Trucks don’t get great gas mileage, it’s the way it is. They aren’t designed for great mileage. They are designed for hauling, towing and having fun (especially the 4x4’s)
    When you buy a truck you need to just accept that you won’t get great gas mileage and you aren’t buying it for the mpg. It is what it is.
     
  17. Apr 9, 2018 at 7:31 AM
    #17
    kimo

    kimo Well-Known Member

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    Read enough threads in the Tundra forum in between buying another tacoma. Even more dissatisfied Tundra threads regarding MPG. I decided to get back in a taco. Plenty enough power for my needs. Not gonna gripe about MPG. Know before you buy!
     
    Konvict KROG likes this.
  18. Apr 9, 2018 at 7:34 AM
    #18
    knottyrope

    knottyrope Well-Known Member

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    want MPGs? go buy a moped. They are fun to ride until your friends see you on one
     
  19. Apr 9, 2018 at 8:04 AM
    #19
    TegoTaco

    TegoTaco Well-Known Member

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    I can’t do any of the big three, the thought of it makes me throw up lol.
     
    Konvict KROG likes this.
  20. Apr 9, 2018 at 8:08 AM
    #20
    Chase8059

    Chase8059 Kinda Well-Known

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    @TegoTaco if it's power you want, I hear URD has something to suit your needs :thumbsup:

    Don't get rid of that pretty SW
     

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