Modifications I can afford- that work

I just purchased a 2015 Tacoma. It is getting on average 16 miles per gallon even out on the highway. Is there anything I can do without spending thousands of dollars? Does a K&N intake work? Does a different exhaust system work? I have watched videos about how to get better gas milage and each one counters the others. What really works?

 

Your user name is the best "lightfoot" be easy on the skinny pedal

 

Welcome to TW. Save your money on those mods, use it for gas money instead.
16 to 17 is about as good as it gets in a 2nd gen unless you are going down hill in neutral or have a great tail wind pushing you.

 

A: stock size highway terrains.
B: Anticipate your stop - learn to coast more. Red light or intersection up ahead? Let off the gas a full 1/4 mile before.
C:Learn to cruise at a constant speed through traffic. Every time you jump on the brakes in heavy traffic you just wasted the gas that brought you up to that speed in the first place. Put a big space in front of you and cruise it.
D: Dont buy in to the bullshit claims of the aftermarket crowd. If anything, that will make it worse.


Welcome to TW.

 

Rock Lobster has the right ideas. I found that increasing the tire size to LT265R16 made the speedometer/odometer more accurate. Still got better than 25mpg in normal driving with a 4 banger and manual transmission.

 

Thanks you all, Honest advise is greatly appreciated.

 

on some tires a higher pressure can improve mileage. my tires are an example of that. i can change the average 1-2mpg by setting the pressure from 28psi up to about 40 which is as high as i like to go on E range. you can go higher but you'd want some load for that.

 

Remove your tailgate, roll up your windows, don’t turn on the air.

 

A bed cover will do a lot to reduce drag.

 

I average combo 18-20 with 285s. Imo the best thing is always good maintenance. Plugs are in good shape, airfilter clean, tire pressure correct, regular injector cleaning etc. That mileage is driving posted limits, when I wear my heavy shoes mileage can take a beating.

 

Wow 16mpg? Driving style and tires (PSI too) are the biggest mpg factors. I averaged 21-22mpg before I put on 265/75/16 duratracs, then I started to get 18mpg. Then I did a lift, steel bumpers, winch, steel skids, roof rack...still at 18mpg. I keep it around 70mph, keep it in overdrive even if it means losing some speed up hills, shifting into 4 in the city, etc. K&N intake and exhaust would be a waste of money if you are doing it for mpg improvement IMO