Improving gas mileage

Man...that is my exact commute! But my highway drive kills my mpgs (also due to my foot ). The section of highway that I drive has a lot of hills, which is a large contributor. It would do much better if it were flat. I have been on other highways where the mpgs have surprised me in a good way.

I have 32s so my calculator is off, but it usually displays around 17 +/- .5. I did some grenade math a while back and and I remember it being around .4-.5 mpg more for the tires.

This truck does awesome at 55-60mph. I have gotten around 22mpgs at these speeds for the whole tank.


70mph is ok, 75+ is eating gas.

OP, give it more miles. I remember there being some complaints when I first got my truck (11/2015) with people complaining about mpgs. I think it would take around 1500-2000 miles to smooth out IIRC. Either way, a short grocery store trip with several stop lights doesn't show well on the mpg calculator.

 

Stop and go kills mileage.
Short trips kill mileage as the truck needs to warm up to get efficient.
Driving over 70 kills mileage.... actually over 55.
The faster you accelerate, the worse mileage will be.

 

For mine, the MPG indicator is usually optimistic by .1 to .3 compared to actual calculations. I track every tank using the site in my signature. After a while, it's easy to spot why MPGs go up or down. Mine are down right now due to winter. My last trip took me to the Columbia Gorge where I had a 22 mph headwind going out which dropped my MPG down into the 17s. I know it will go back up when spring arrives.

 

12.4 gallons per mile? That's Top Fuel dragster mileage right there

 

How the f does everyone get such good mpg! I’m (‘17 trd DCLb stock) about 20k mileage, always on 91, and always trying to roll to stop; and I get low 16s mpg all the time.

 

What mods (if any) have you done? And why 91?

 

Short trips will crush average. My wife has a Traverse which avereges 24 mpgs, but she only works a mile from home. So she only gets around 12 mpg average.

 

2019 TRD Sport, 2wd. Stock as far as anything that would effect mpg other than the Rollnlock cover. 2800 on the clock 80% city, 20 hwy. Getting 20.7. Calculated by math although the dash meter is pretty close, a lot closer than the IS350. Just driving it normally.

Anticipating red lights when you can has a big effect in these things. Use its weight to keep it rolling with your foot off the gas when you see a red light a reasonable distance ahead. Rolling at idle at 35-40 mph, mpg is off the scale.

On the hwy, I generally limit it to 70. Tacos (Or any truck other than a ridgeline maybe) have the aerodynamics of a brick and your just burning exponentially more gas fighting the air going any faster.

 

Great tips and reasons above on mileage. One more thing is some states mandate additives in the fuel during winter months.

 

At 1200 total miles, I’m in the 19-20 MPG average with mixed driving, 25% highway at 65-70 and the balance at 30-45 speed limits. The only time I remember seeing a 12-13 MPG trip readout was on extreamly short trips, like 2 to 3 miles in a 25 MPH zone, or when idling a lot to warm up the truck. For reference, I live in a 5300’ altitude city, use 86 octane top tier fuel, and have a “mild” winter temp 30-40 degree average.

If you have been driving in very cold winter weather, with long warm up times, heavy truck or carrying unnecessary weight, stop and go traffic, heavy foot, and rush to the red stop lights... then maybe your MPG is “normal”. Driving style has the most affect what you can do to adjust MPG. I have a lot of driving experience (my way of saying I’m an older driver), I employ a defensive driving style along with a focus on saving fuel (fixed income), hopefully resulting in a longer lifespan (mine and the truck’s).

 

Bone stock. I remember quickly skimming through OVtune website and I thought he mention with 87 there’s a lot of misfires; and with 91, it causes a little less miss fires. I was skimming so I could be wrong on that.

I’m at sea level with minor terrain. Maybe I’ll be an asshole and try drafting. Jk.

 

Yet another Prius forum. Not really.
All depends on driving habits. Tacoma over time will learn your driving habits

 

Funny you mention that but if you’re on the highway, obviously not on a highway through a city during rush hour, but an open hwy where it’s safe to do so. Drive in an open lane at 70 and note the mpg meter. Stock truck should be about 23 or so. Then when a semi, box truck, or similar comes along, get behind. You don’t even have to ride their tailgate, 4 to 6 lengths or more works and you can see how much these trucks have cinder block aerodynamics. Same speed and the instant meter bar thing goes off the scale.

 

Two words:

Tire Pressure

My Taco varies greatly when the pressure is lowered. Keep it at 30psi stone cold for much better MPG.

 

I drive a 2017 TRD Offroad - Stock tires/suspension and I always keep the suggested air pressure. I use cruise control religiously and I average just under 20 combined (19.7) with the manual transmission.

 

Unless there’s a slight decline, I’ve never gotten a steady 23 mpg on open highway :/ even with a fresh refuel. My truck is broken. But I will experiment with your observation, as I am traveling this weekend.

 

I'm not too thrilled with the mileage I'm getting either. At the same time I knew I wasn't getting a Prius.

I know my last taco got much better after the break in period once the ECU learned my style. Assuming this one will do the same. Mostly doing city driving.

When I'm done doing all my mods, lift, tires, gears, I'll be sure to come back and gripe some more about the mpg.

 

Drive it like you stole it and don't worry about the MPG they sell gas everywhere these days .

 

I have a short commute to work like 22 miles. I’m averaging 19-20 mpg. Around town I’m getting like 15-17 depending on stopping and starting. I’m also driving like a Oldtimer!! LOL!!!

 

I don’t get this “ecu learn” thing. Isn’t it pretty linear, in that a certain amount of pedal depress equals a certain amount of fuel into the engine. Will the ecu learn that the driver has a heavy foot during acceleration and lessen the amount of fuel into the engine?