1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Why am I getting such low MPG??

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by bwelles, Jun 29, 2020.

  1. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:00 AM
    #1
    bwelles

    bwelles [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Member:
    #322304
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Offroad
    I have a 2020 TRD offroad, and am averaging like 14mpg city and 15mpg highway. The only thing I've added is a Prinsu with a lightbar which shouldn't be affecting my MPG that much right? I don't feel like I hammer the throttle too much, I don't get it.
     
  2. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:02 AM
    #2
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2015
    Member:
    #161370
    Messages:
    36,405
    Gender:
    Male
    Southern Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DCSB Off Road, 6 Speed MT, P&T
    What MPG were you getting prior to installing those aftermarket items?
     
  3. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:04 AM
    #3
    Shellshock

    Shellshock King Shit of Turd Island

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2015
    Member:
    #170338
    Messages:
    21,510
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tundra TRD PRO / 2024 GRC Circuit
    What tires are you running?
    What PSI?
    How fast do you drive?
     
  4. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:05 AM
    #4
    bwelles

    bwelles [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Member:
    #322304
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Offroad
    I installed them soon after I got the truck, so I don't really know. But either way it shouldn't be that low
     
  5. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:08 AM
    #5
    FullyTorquedTaco

    FullyTorquedTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2020
    Member:
    #317738
    Messages:
    65
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 4x4 DCSB
    I was getting about 18 City 21 Freeway stock. After 3" Lift, 285's and a prinsu rack, im down to 12 city, 14 Freeway. Adding weight and wind resistance absolutely kills MPG. It sucks but its pretty unavoidable
     
  6. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:09 AM
    #6
    DaveEEE

    DaveEEE Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2019
    Member:
    #286994
    Messages:
    78
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 Tacoma
    2" lift, Gibson exhaust, Pro grill, pro wheels, pop & lock tail gate lock
    I have a 2019 OD 4x4, lifted 2" no other real mods and the best I have ever got is 16.5 MPG, to get that I have to really baby it. I had a 2011 tacoma and it consistently got 18 MPG + driving the same route, same mods- lost low end torque and MPG. I am going to give OV tune a try once they get the s/w features added to the 2.0 release. I am really disappointment in Toyota, wife has a 3.5L in her RX350 and it has a ton more low end power.
     
  7. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:09 AM
    #7
    FullyTorquedTaco

    FullyTorquedTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2020
    Member:
    #317738
    Messages:
    65
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 4x4 DCSB
    Also, check your air filter. That makes a big difference on MPG if its clogged up
     
  8. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:25 AM
    #8
    JEEPNIK

    JEEPNIK Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2020
    Member:
    #326895
    Messages:
    1,716
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 Voodoo Blue TRD Sport
    I’m surprised no one that has removed the air dam hasn’t complained about loss of mileage. But it could be they’ve done other mods at the same time so it wasn’t noticeable.
     
    Hank Heel likes this.
  9. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:30 AM
    #9
    bwelles

    bwelles [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Member:
    #322304
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Offroad
    I went mudding back in March and my engine is still pretty dirty, I wonder if it could be this...
     
    brandon78lusch likes this.
  10. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:30 AM
    #10
    BravoSix

    BravoSix Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2020
    Member:
    #325429
    Messages:
    347
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM SR5 DCSB 4x4
    Seat jackers, Tonneau, Toyo AT3 235 85 16.
    So with my truck stock other than 235 85 16 10 ply tires,at 42psi I'm getting like 16 avg now. I drive like a grand pa. The tire weight is a killer for me. Surprisingly, I got 20 mpg on a 250 mile two way trip at 65-69 mph but there was no wind and it was FLAT Mississippi delta highway all the way. I looked the other day and my computer says like 15.9 and its mix city and short runs on interstate. Could be better but could be worse too. Something else that I've learned is that cruise control will SUCK the gas bc it's always shifting down and getting up in RPMs trying to maintain speed. I do better manual pedal speed control especially on hills and definitely pulling my trailer or boat.
     
    bwelles[OP] and Daves300 like this.
  11. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:33 AM
    #11
    bwelles

    bwelles [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Member:
    #322304
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2020 TRD Offroad
    OEM Kevlars
    they hover around 35-37
    my office is only like 2 miles from my house so usually no faster than 45. I don't do much highway driving, but I drove a 5 hour road trip this weekend and my MPG wouldn't get over 15.2 with cruise control set at 79mph
     
  12. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:34 AM
    #12
    FullyTorquedTaco

    FullyTorquedTaco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2020
    Member:
    #317738
    Messages:
    65
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 4x4 DCSB
    79 mph is gonna give you bad MPG. Ideal speed for top efficiency is around 60-65. You look like a grandpa on the road but at least you're saving dollaz
     
  13. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:35 AM
    #13
    Chew

    Chew Not so well known user

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2019
    Member:
    #285575
    Messages:
    7,133
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chewy
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    19 TRD OR
    Amazon dog poo bed mat mod
    Welcome
    If driving highway speeds in to wind, I can easily see a 1-3 mpg drop, just something to consider. I'd think a rack with a light bar would be affected even more.
     
    bwelles[OP] likes this.
  14. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:37 AM
    #14
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

    Joined:
    May 21, 2017
    Member:
    #219544
    Messages:
    12,040
    Gender:
    Male
    South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2024 Long Tundra
    When I did it dropped the mpg a tenth or so. I checked mpg for 42K, 25K after the air dam was removed. I checked it every fill up the right way. I then plotted it in excel for seasonal changes and winter gas. Overall, about a tenth.
     
    AKGSD, Rock Lobster and Lucifer1 like this.
  15. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:41 AM
    #15
    hiPSI

    hiPSI Laminar Flow

    Joined:
    May 21, 2017
    Member:
    #219544
    Messages:
    12,040
    Gender:
    Male
    South Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2024 Long Tundra
    LOL please read the link below on why you get shitty mpg.
    Here, I'll give you a head start:
    short trips
    high speed
    mods

    Short trips kill you because the engine never warms up so fuel mix is high... think choke.
    High speed kills you because the truck is shaped like a brick
    Mods kill you because increased drag.

    There you go. You are welcome.
     
    t.hornstra, sgav8r, G8R_Taco and 21 others like this.
  16. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:41 AM
    #16
    Lucifer1

    Lucifer1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2016
    Member:
    #199565
    Messages:
    598
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lucifer
    Plano TX
    Vehicle:
    2023 Silver TRD Sport Access cab V6 automatic
    Toyota Bed divider
    @bwelles
    We have a 2016 TRD auto and a 2019 TRD 6sp. 4X4. I can tell you the MPG will improve after about 7500Mi ........but not a lot.
     
    bwelles[OP] likes this.
  17. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:44 AM
    #17
    WrecklessAbandon

    WrecklessAbandon They call me skippy

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2019
    Member:
    #287913
    Messages:
    4,455
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Travis
    Olympia, WA
    Crocs with socks
    Your short commute is killing your MPG. Truck barely warms up by the time you get there.

    Like others have said, heavy unaerodynamic truck and high speeds don't make for good MPG. Stay under 70 and they will improve
     
  18. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:45 AM
    #18
    Tacoma_SR5Pro

    Tacoma_SR5Pro Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2015
    Member:
    #153525
    Messages:
    730
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    '16 SR5 Pro
    This seems accurate. I used to get 19-21 (and I have a V6 4x2) and I got a 6" Lift and 285s and I removed the air dam, and I get down to 15-16 mpg. I'm sure if I had a rack it would get down to as low as this guy too.
     
    bwelles[OP] and YF_Ryan like this.
  19. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:45 AM
    #19
    StormRnr

    StormRnr Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2020
    Member:
    #327113
    Messages:
    45
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road
    I track mileage with the Fuelly app and it shows different numbers than the computer.

    Fuelly said 18.8 last fill up and the computer said something under 17.

    Truck is stock with a RTT and that tank included 10 or so miles of dirt road.

    -M
     
  20. Jun 29, 2020 at 10:46 AM
    #20
    Arries289

    Arries289 Yo!

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2018
    Member:
    #250874
    Messages:
    1,254
    Gender:
    Male
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRDOR DCSB BBP 6MT Tech & Prem
    "my office is only like 2 miles from my house so usually no faster than 45."......your engine/ECM is probably barely out of open-loop operations. You will always get worse mileage with that senario. The longer you drive between engine starts, the better the average mileage.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top