Getting optimal gas mileage

First post - please forgive me if i'm in the wrong spot (and kindly direct me to where i should be). Am looking to purchase a Tacoma (prob a prerunner - used for sure)

Will use the truck for 25mile (1way) commute (i.e. 50mile/day) and light hunting/hauling and want to make sure i optimize mpg - i HAVE reivewed the modifications that can be made to improve fuel economy. I mainly wanting to know about the initial purchase.

1. where can i get info on the typical mpg (for different models/engiines,etc)
2. is a4cyl better than a 6 cyl
3. am assuming a pre-runner woudl be better mpg than 4x4 - correct?
4. does manual get better gas mileage than auto?
5. how confidnet can i be that i'd be able to get at minimum low 20's (90% highway) with a prerunner?

Appreciate any help folks. I'm 39 and have only owned 2 cars my whole life - i tend to completely wear out whatever i buy and so i investigate to the nth degree. Apologies for being a bit long winded
best regards
matt G

 

1. where can i get info on the typical mpg (for different models/engiines,etc)
Search TW several threads about it.
2. is a 4cyl better than a 6 cyl
For MPGs yes. For towing no.
3. am assuming a pre-runner woudl be better mpg than 4x4 - correct?
Not noticably and a 4x4 less likely to get stuck while hunting.
4. does manual get better gas mileage than auto?
If you know how to use it
5. how confidnet can i be that i'd be able to get at minimum low 20's (90% highway) with a prerunner?
4Banger manual using cruise control, no probem. I get around 19 to 20 MPGs city and 23 to 24 MPGs highway with a 3 " lift.

 

Welcome to TW
since we're in the second gen section, i'm going to assume you're looking for a truck made years 2005+.
anyways, these trucks burn fuel like a full size pick up, but some people claim 20+ mpg's in there v6 trucks daily driving so it's probably possible. get a scanguage to watch your driving habits unfold. proclaimed/proven auto's get better MPG than manual in these things. and i'd also assume a 4x2 gets better mpg, probably based on weight? not sure.

 

Here is a good place to get fuel economy ratings for just about every vehicle made. http://fueleconomy.gov/

 

You can also go to http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/tacoma/gas%20l4/truck to see what people are posting for the 4 cyl. If you drive 90% highway you will easily get low 20's with at 4 cyl. I do 85% highway on my daily commute, 32mi round trip and I regularly get 20.5mpg in my v6.

 

thanks for the replies. as a follow up - can someone give me a quick answer on "what's a scan guague" and "how's it work' and "what's it cost? Not too technical - just the basic concept and is it worht it.
thanks again
mgreen

 

Scanguage is a trip computer, google it and you will find what you seek. http://www.scangauge.com/