Not Worth It (MPG)

AS others have said the speeds you are traveling are what is killing your mileage. The V6 wouldn't be doing any better, and would be doing worse around town, but you would have more power. Also don't use the cruise control. That will kill your mileage. Be the guy that slows when going uphill and speeds up on the downhill. I like to travel an average speed that is slightly above posted. Sometimes I may be five under the posted limit, and then it might be ten to fifteen over. It may annoy others but I try not to do that when people are behind me. Also get the scan or ultra gauge. It is amazing what they will do for your mileage, even if you think you are careful already.

 

I read on here somewhere that you may see increases in mpg as the odometer climbs. There was guy, iirc, that saw better mpg at 30,000 miles than he did when new. Many said they saw a small increase after around 3500 to 5000. Can't remember what thread it was.

I speculate that if this is the case, maybe the ecu is programmed to run slightly rich until it hits a few thousand miles. When a new engine is in a break in stage it's usually a little safer to run a bit rich. Just hypothesizing...

 

I'm lucky to get 14 coasting downhill in neutral.

 

wrong

 

And fucking worth it.

 

I've got the K&N. I need to look into the secondary removal. I know there are numerous threads bout it. So far, I hear mixed reviews on if it really has an affect.

 

I've posted an update on my satisfaction with the 4-Banger on my thread that was so eloquently titled, "Am I making A Huge Mistake?" hahaha. Long story short, I'm happy with the 2.7. Thanks for all of your input and advice.

 

My 2012 4 banger gets 15mpg almost no matter what but my tires are 285 75 16 TAKOs which weigh close to 90lbs a piece (gonna down size to something a little lighter)with 3in lift which renders 5th gear almost useless lol...but im not gonna complain because that little sucker may not go fast but itll go anywhere you want it too!

 

Just as another data point...I have a '14 base AC, 2.7L, with 15" steel wheels. I commute every day 52 mile to and 52 miles back...75% interstate at 80mph...the other is fairly heavy stop and go traffic. I get combined 24 mpg.

It's not a fast truck...but I love the efficiency...decent gas mileage, cheap tires that last forever, easy to work on, low to the ground so easy to get in & out off...and its has a bed over 6' long!

 

im a AC 4cyl 4x4 auto, 265s kumho mt heavy tires. daily commute 90% city 35mph some freeway at 50mph. i was getting low 18mpg pre 5k miles. now im at 6k and im getting low 19s. ive had the 3.0 and 3.4 s/c v6 which got 14-15mpg so i opted for the 2.7 instead of the 4.0...

BUT my 2014 4runner 4.0 is getting the same mpg as my 2.7 taco lol same amount of city drivng

 

i bought my 4cyl reg cab for 2 reasons, Price and 4wd

i get around 23 highway MPG but i dont drive 80, i drive 65-70 (which is the speed limit)

i run 32 inch tires on mine with no lift, if i were you i would do what others have suggested, trade the truck in and get exactly what you want, because the 4 banger isnt going to do what you want it to do.

 

WHAT?
So whats up with my truck then? 2012 4cyl reg cab 4x4, with 265/75/16 bfg KO2's and 45k on it and I am getting 15mp! I drive 26 miles to work all highway and I keep it at about 70. Is time for a tune up? What eles can I try?

 

Your tires are an obvious problem, make sure the pressure is up to spec. But tires alone will not kill MPG as much as you are experiencing. Here are my suggestions:

-- It's not necessary to warm up an engine before driving. Just let the engine run for 30-45 seconds for the oil to circulate and let the idle come down, then drive away gently. Driving is the best way to warm up a cold engine, way faster than just sitting there idling. Driving a cold engine will not hurt anything if you aren't flooring it.

-- Driving habits are the biggest factor in MPG... instead of 70, go 60-65mph on the highway. Try to shift below 2200rpm (if manual trans) or just go easy on the gas pedal (gradual acceleration with auto trans). No jackrabbit starts/drag racing. Check how much extra/unnecessary weight you are carrying around. Also, look beyond your immediate surroundings and see what traffic is doing a couple hundred feet ahead, and try to anticipate red lights. Maybe 200 feet before a red light, let off the gas (staying in gear) and allow the engine slow you down before applying the brakes. All the time I see drivers blissfully unaware, staying on the gas right up to the point when they have to nearly slam on the brakes to slow down in time... this one in particular is a zombie stupid driving habit, it's just asinine. Who pays attention anymore? LOL

-- "Hypermiling" forums abound on the internet, check them for fuel saving ideas. But some people take these fuel-saving ideas so far as to become dangerous drivers. Driving *too* slowly or letting off the gas way too early before the red light, that just pisses people off and causes more problems than it solves. Carefully staying with the "flow" is probably the best way to approach efficient driving.

My $0.02

 

With a V6, 4x4, Access cab running 265's I get 17.xx mpg no matter what I do. I can put-put, make multiple short trips, floor it everywhere, or cruise control at 75-80 on interstate. Still get 17.xx.

Only time I've gotten better is when I was on a straight shot hwy up North going 55 most of the tank.

 

(You should consider re-gearing to a 4.88/1 diff will offset the lack of power and fuel consumption from the lift and tires.)

 

70 MPH and heavy tires, I suspect. What load rating are the BFGs?

 

Yep, I felt this same way when I originally bought my 4 cylinder in 2011, great truck and engine but it just wasn't worth it mileage wise. I still loved it and would probably still be driving it, but I got married and now combined, my wife and I have 4 large dogs and hauling them all around in the access cab just wasn't an option. I was originally set on a second gen double cab 4.0 but found a screaming deal on a first gen double cab with the 3.4 V6 and settled with that and couldn't be happier.

 

My personal opinion says that the 2.7 is at home with the regular cab chassis, it works best and maximizes performance and MPG in that setup. I feel sorry for the guys who have bought 5 lug double cabs with a 2.7 and auto, can't imagine one of those things with a 4x4 setup, even with a manual transmission! Considering how heavy second gen double cabs are and all. Someone on here claims that the 2.7 access cab has worse power to weight ratio than the Prius which is just sad, but after owning one in that setup and daily driving it for 3 years, I can see why. I don't hate the 2.7 engine, in fact I think it's one of the most reliable modern Toyota truck engines, but with today's technology, there's no reason it shouldn't be making over 200hp, a Honda Civic 4 banger does that for crying out loud! It would work way better in a Tacoma that way, part of the reason they get such poor mileage is the trucks are just too heavy and the engine is working double time to keep it going.

The first gens had a 2.7 PreRunner double cab and from what I've heard, those things are mutts big time, but are rare in a sense that some did come with a 5 speed manual and TRD package with the locker so it makes them unique in a way.

 

I get great MPG with my 2.7 on a heavy config, reasonably heavy at least.

 

sorry man!! hey it beats 14mpg I get after I installed my 285's....