New '09 Taco Owner

Hey Toyota-World. Bought my 2009 Tacoma PreRunner, V6 4.0L back in April and loving it so far. Just had a few questions for the more experienced heads than me with the Toyota-Tech that's on these trucks.

1) Is there any way to get the advertised "21 mpg highway" (or better)? Seems the best I can do is 18 mpg, even with babying the gas pedal and keeping RPM's <2000-ish.

2) Anyone familiar with a radio feedback sound in the passenger side front floorboard when RPM's 1500-2000? Sounds like a bad ground kind of whine.

3) Is there anything I need to watch-out for in this truck that is habitual? I'm familiar with the tranny down-shift bump while sitting still, thought I got rear-ended the first couple times it happened....

4) Does anyone have any simple/easy/cool upgrades for a new Taco Owner? I've seen a couple threads I like, like the Back-up Cam mod to work in other than reverse, and bedlight mods (hookedontronics)....Any other suggestions?

Thanks for the help, guys! (And girls)

 

Welcome to TW

 

Hey, welcome to TW

1) Just keep babying it, drive like a grandpa and there isn't much else you can do. Your MPG won't be the greatest this time of year, winter gas mileage always sucks. It should improve as the car gets driven more and more and it gets back into summer. However, 18MPG isn't bad at all for a V6.

2) Never heard it. There is an airbag rattle type of thing that people have complained about. You can search for their solutions. But basically people have taken apart their gloveboxes and tied back some wires to help the noise.

3) just drive it and don't worry too much about watching out for things. Take care of it, and you should be good. It's a Tacoma after all.

4) I would get the little things from wal-mart that prevent your tailgate from getting stolen, about a 10 dollar mod MAX, and if you don't have a pop-n-lock it's a good idea. I can't for the life of me remember what the parts are called. But I'm sure someone else can chime in on that. Also you can do the illuminated 4x4 switch... That can be useful.

Just my 2 cents, have fun with you Tacomaaa

 

Welcome ....18mpg's not bad. Like its been stated, keepin your foot out of it helps. Some think changing your air cleaner will help. Im not sure?? Im getting 18-19 now without my AC on. Goodluck!

 

Thanks so far, guys! I've had the truck since April, been driving it everyday, at least every other day, and the mpg has been consistent, at least. Only worse if I haul butt everywhere. Thanks for reminding me about the tailgate theft intervention....I think I have a hose clamp that will work nicely.....Oh, and I just found the Mods & Tutorials Tab at the top of the page.

 

Aloha!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW from Sparks, NV

 

Thanks for the warm welcomes, guys. I had another thought the other day, it helped a little with the mpg on my 2002 RAM 1500 5.9L. Has anyone tried putting an electric push/pull fan in place of the Belt Driven one? They usually run appx. $130 at the off-road store. Just a thought, hadn't seen a mod on it yet...