Fuel economy

Another woodcutting trip, 20.3mpg, empty, uphill almost 70 miles.
Coming back, same route, just above 33mpg, full load of wood.
Yeah, I'm happy with 2.7l engine.

EDIT: went again, got same numbers again (67 miles one way)

 

Overall your average is great considering there's a heavy load. Ironically, better miles per gallon on the way back but due to going down hill. I've yet to haul a firewood load with my Tacoma, but getting close to needing to.

 

I’m sure those newer auto 6 speeds get 2 mpg better than the old 4 speed in my 2013. I don’t mind the 4 speed though

 

Can confirm, owned mine just short of 10 years in MA. Only the 4 speed auto

 

Nothing wrong with a 4 speed auto. My first 2 cars were 2 speeds! Chevy Powerglides. The Subaru 4 speed automatic I had was a pain in the Outback, would downshift at the slightest incline. Have a 4 speed auto in my Silverado, it's fine. That doesn't downshift like the Subaru did, then again it's apples/oranges for the engines.

 

Are you running winter tires?

 

ABA180 is the one I was referring to I believe. There's a whole recently revived thread on here from 2011 about 2WD in snow. Interesting that I don't recall anyone saying the 2WD is really bad in that situation, especially with some added weight and good tires.

I have 4WD not just for snow, I get firewood where there's sometimes mud in the spring. Just as bad as snow. Also occasionally get wood from someone's yard - don't want to take a chance tearing up the grass by spinning. That's usually only a concern going in, with the truck empty. Leaving with a load of wood of course there's usually not a concern.

 

Same rubber year round. I currently have Yokohama Avid Ascents.

That could have been. I don't take mine off road at all for what that is worth.

 

Mine was pretty bad last year with half worn Goodyear all seasons. But I got a pretty steep hill to go up. Getting Firestone weather grips soon.

 

Attended a service in Bakersfield today, driving 120 miles from the High Desert, thru Tehachapi, into Bakersfield-- got 29.7mpg
Same trip back, 26.something mpg (was too tired to remember exact digits coming back).
So, I'm pretty happy with 2.7l Tacoma

 

Seriously good for a mid sized truck. The 6 speed automatics do make a difference.

 

That was my thought it has to be the 2 extra gears but final drive may be the same as the 4 speed. I’ll never get that mpg in my 13 5 lug. I still thing a manual gets the best mileage but this may prove that theory wrong

 

A different application, but my wife had a 2005 Rav4 and currently a 2014. MPG was 21-24 city and is 26-29 city. That's with leaving it in regular mode (not Eco or Sport) on the current, the prior one didn't offer that feature.

I did get about 33MPG highway before using the Eco mode and cruise.

 

I never looked at the final drive specs. My manual is rated better than the 4 speed automatic of that year, but I usually exceed the EPA ratings. I remember when Honda Fit owners were glad to hear a 6 speed manual was available due to the short gearing of the 5 speed. The final drive ratio, and rpms at 65 mph were pretty much the same, around 3200 rpm. I won't get close to AxisCab's results either, party because mine is 4WD, and older.

 

The Aisin A340E 4-speed automatic transmission found in many 2.7 Tacomas was also used in multiple 6-cylinder Toyota models with much more power. It is a very robust choice for a 4-cylinder application.

 

That 29.7mpg figure was definitely a high water mark. On winter gas, I was getting 28 and 28.something a couple Januarys ago.
With a stock ride and wide open freeways, one should be able to beat EPA mileage ratings, IME

 

I just averaged 27.8 (all highway) on a recent trip...

 

Another case like AxisCab, exceeding the EPA estimates. Looks like 4 speed automatics are also capable of excellent highway miles per gallon.

 

Not only that...the 4-speed is a great transmission !

 

more raw data:
Went woodcutting. Traveled 70 miles, uphill, empty, from 2k feet to 9k feet. got 20.8mpg

Same route back to the high desert, made 35mpg, loaded heavily.