Not Worth It (MPG)

My fuel mileage got a little better after 5k miles. I would guess there was about a 6-8% increase after it was broken in. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but seems like power has improved slightly too. I get 16-17 mpg around town and can get up to 23 mpg on certain trips. This is with a 2.5" lift and 265/75 AT's. I do have to gear down a little more often on these Appalachian mountain passes though.

 

It's not really saving, it's just less money tied up in a vehicle. When you go to sell there's still going to be a similar price difference between the 4 and 6 cyl.

 

Yes, I would be very surprised if gas remains low forever; despite all the improved drilling methods, there is a finite amount of oil on this rock and unless technology significantly moves away from the petroleum-based internal combustion engine gas prices will eventually have to rise.

see what others are getting: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-cylinder/117890-2-7l-mpg.html

your mpg seems oddly low, my recent mpg:

2013 AC 2wd auto trans., no camper top @ 5164 miles
stock Dunlop AT20s: 35 psi front, 35 psi rear

65% city 35% highway
no towing, no heavy loads
all near sea level
driving habit: *GGDRS #5-6
21.73 miles/gal.


Try bumping up your tire psi a bit, the default is something like 33 front 30 rear; I increased mine to 35 psi all around.

 

My quote ---> "Also...people sometimes get too caught up on the 2.7's economy. It's more about a lower price than all-out MPG."

 

You bought a truck rated 18/21/19.

V6 same truck is rated 16/21/18.

EPA rating is not at 78-82 mph, why would you have ever thought you'd get 22-23 mpg at the speed you are driving.

Drive 65 and you'll exceed 21 mpg all day long.

V6 only going to be worse at 82 mph.

That topper is a big drag too.

 

Isn't that basically what 90% of the people said in your other thread OP ?

 

Trade it in. Problem solved

I had a 2005 Prerunner V6. I wanted so badly to get 4x4, but always convinced myself "naw, I'm find with the 2wd...". then i got the mod bug... started wanting to do the suspension change, lift, go wheeling, etc. But what if i need 4wd?

I questioned my decision for 36 solid months, all the way to the point of paying off my truck. 2 months later, I traded the prerunner for my 4wd (same color, but went from DCSB to AC for the bigger bed). MAKING THE CHANGE TO THE TRUCK I WANTED WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE, nuf said.

Therefore, through personal experience, I highly recommend you trade you 4cyl for the EXACT truck you want; to include colors, options, and configuration.

You will not regret it.

Edit -- You want fuel economy? Go buy a small engine motorcycle to throw in the back of your V6 tacoma.

 

At this point, your choice... Probably at least would have been better if you went with the stick, since it is a 5 speed

 

Not in this case. The auto gets better mileage.

 

Huh. I'm rather surprised. Just to beat a dead horse though, here's the 2012 MPG figures:

 

I've got the identical truck to the one you just bought, right down to the color, except I don't have the topper. I've had my truck for a year and a half and I track my mileage consistently, so I've got a pretty good handle on what my truck is capable of. If I keep it at 67-68, I get 22.5. If I drive 75 I get 20.5. If you insist on driving 80+ it's just going to be worse.

As for guys claiming their V-6s with a 3" lift and 33s get 18-20 while driving 75, I'd take that claim with a grain of salt.

 

If you cut off one of your legs at the hip you can live just as long but only need a fraction of the calories Every year.

The only time chasing mpg is worth it is if that's your main concern. 500 a year isn't enough for me to care, I'd rather have greater function.

Using the ops numbers, if he drives every day he saves .97 a day. You can find more than that on the ground.

 

WHY? I just walked in the door from driving 10 hours on a 70mph interstate at 70mph. Wasn't hard at all. Set cruise, turn in the radio and enjoy the ride. I even considered slowing to 65 for increased mpg but my pregnant wife was ready to get home.

 

I average 20 MPG consistently with 2" lift and 265/75s on my 2.7 auto. Good enough for me. Before lift and tires I was getting 22/23 average and 27/28 highway on 245/75 OEM tires.

Slow the fuck down. No chance you'll see my numbers while roaring down the freeway at 3000 RPM. Or buy a Prius. I stay at or under 2000 RPM, if I run your speed I get your MPG. But I can control what I get by how I drive and that's what I choose to do.

 

Remember, just like some peoples MPG numbers seem optimistic with the 2.7, a lot of people's 4.0 MPGs are just as optimistic. I've averaged 19.79mpg mixed in my RC 4x4 2.7 auto since I've owned it (~5200miles). And I'm happy with it and convinced a V6 doing my routine (stop and go, fair amount of idling, farm work) would be around 16-17 at best.

Also, food for thought. My wife's Civic gets 39-40mpg going 60-65. 75-80 it drops to about 32-33. Like EVERYONE has said, your speed is killing you.

 

Nothing to add other than I miss cruise control. The taco is the first vehicle I've had in ages that didn't have it. Fortunately it's not fast enough for me to worry 90% of the time.

 

The Tacoma's aerodynamics are slightly better than a brick wall. Like others have said, if you insist on driving 80mph freeway speeds, you're going to pay for it regardless of what engine you have. If you give yourself a little more travel time and go 65mph for just one tank, you will see what I'm talking about.

I'll never understand why everyone is in such a damn hurry.

 

I'm running 265s with a 4x4 access cab 4 banger and I get consistent 21 city, have a leer cap on it as well. I deal with some pretty bad traffic going through the gates on post and with that my lowest mileage has been 19. I think if you stick to 70 mph you could see numbers around 24 with the stock tire sizes. A kn filter and secondary filter removal might help quite a bit too.