How are you guys getting 20+ MPG V6 4x4s

LOL !!!

 

I see that ferreted a response....you little weasel.

 

I was pulling 20-21mpg with a dit bike and big-assed telescope in the bed doing 65 this weekend, made it back home last night of 60mph mountain driving (at night) and have just over 400 miles on the tank and the fuel light just came on.

 

Seems like I get really good gas mileage when I drive back from the mountains. Probably has something to do with going down hill and being stuck behind a bunch of other cars creating a bit of a draft.

 

All oils synthetic, no lift kit, normal tires, shift at 1800-2000 rpm, stay under 70 mph=20 mpg. Stay under 60 mph=24 mpg.

 

I think that will be my next step, swapping out to synthetics once my truck is broken in a little more. I figure it can't hurt...

 

I find it pretty easy to hit 20 mpg. I just drive like everyone has suggested. Keep RPM's 2K and under and keep the speeds down on the freeway. I usually set the cruise at 65. I consistently get 20.5 - 21 mpg when I try. Normal driving and I'll get around 18 mpg.

 

Since I posted my smart a$$ response, I actually have added some upgrades that should have made my mileage worse. I added 255/85-16 load range E BFG KM2s, a lift, and a bumper( see post on bumper build). The only other thing I did was swap synthetics (amzoil). 21 mpg from Brookings Or. To Sacramento Ca. Just towed my kids Ranger down yesterday (he is coming back from Afghanistan ) and averaged 17.6. The tires have 80 lbs in then, but long distance it works for me.

 

I got 19.5 mpg on my second fill up ever. I just broke 500 miles. 80% highway.

 

I just got back from a near 2000 mile road trip in my Tacoma 4x4 DCSB TRD Sport 6 speed manual. We drove from home to Yellowstone and took mostly state highways. Lots of elevation gain, stopping and starting. We camped the entire week and carried all of our food and water.

My average for the entire trip was 21 mpg. Worst tank was the interstate shot from here to Boise at 19.9 mpg cruising at 75 mph. Best tank was 24.9 from Old Faithful to Jackson, WY. I saw several tanks that were 22-23mpg We did have some 4wd usage through the Sawtooths on some of the old roads that are more like trails.

I found the Tacoma was torquey enough to short shift it at around 2500rpm. It really liked the 50mph cruising we did through Yellowstone. The interesting thing is we stopped a lot and encountered a lot of stop and go traffic. Combine that with the high elevation and hill climbs the mileage we were getting was fantastic. I had budgeted for 15mpg average for the trip so we were well ahead on gas.

Prior to our trip the worst tank I had was 50% commuting between home and work(all of 2.5 miles one way through several stop lights) and I got 15mpg.

So far my lifetime average is 19.9 mpg. It'll go down some with commuting to work more, but I suspect I'll be seeing a solid 20mpg average for anything other than my short commute.

 

Good work. Stop and go isn't necessarily inefficient if you shift early with a manual trans, as you have seen I always shift between 1500-2200 depending on the gear/landscape.

 

Another report:

Heading to Lone Pine from Redondo Beach. Truck loaded with camping supplies, 4 loaded backpacks, cooler, and cornhole set.
70mph for nearly the whole ride.
Topped off in Lone Pine and got 20.37 MPG.

Drove further to Independence for the 4th of July celebration, then up the hill to some fishing spots.
Returned to Lone Pine and then drove up to Horseshoe Meadow for an overnight backpack. (7000 foot climb to 10K elevation at trailhead). 3rd and 4th gear most of the way up.
Drove home with cruise control set at roughly 67mph.
Topped off at home and got 21.05 MPG!

This truck continues to impress me.

 

I get about 21 mpg with my 2005 V6 and I just accelerate slowly.

 

I've found driving like a grandpa is always the best. You will never seen good mpg acclerating no matter how slow you go. So its almost better to get to cruising speed faster because that's were you see the best mpg. I'm not saying hammer it but a good accleration to get up to cruising speed.

Think of it like this. You stop at a stoplight and got another one in a mile. Why spend time at 12 mpg acclerating for half the distance when you could get on it a little bit at 8 mpg for less than a quarter of the distance and the rest of the way you will be in the 20+ range.

And remember COAST! Trust me is you have a ultra gauge or scan gauge you will see that just the littlest of throttle will back you mpg desrease. If you don't need to be on the throttle then don't! Coast to stops, down hills, anytime you you have to slow down or stop use your brakes as little as possible.

 

15.38 MPG at 80 MPH on my newer 2014 TRD Sport double cab long bed. Ouch. I like driving excitement so driving slow to gain MPG will not work for me on the highway.

 

To get 20+ drive like this guy. But ask yourself, do you really want to drive like this guy!

 

I can only manage 17mpg with most of it being city driving.
I think someone is smoking some wackey Tobackey.