Why does my 2011 v6 taco get such good fuel economy?

Prerunner, double cab, short bed. V6 with the automatic gearbox. 192,900 miles.

I've never gotten below 20.5 mpg, about 85% of the time she gets 21-22.5 and I've even seen 23 like two times on super long trips. But it just seems unnaturally good.

Even when towing a trailer! And city driving. AND ON MEGA WORNOUT PLUGS. Changing the plugs did nothing by the way, truck still runs just as smooth. Same mileage.
I check it every fuel up. Always doing the math.

It is awesome.

But the reason I am asking is... This seems to be completely above the norm. Most people say it's generally less that 19 on a good day.

So... What's going on? Is my taco magic?

Even the mechanic I use for routine maintenance said that's just unreal. :0

 

Let me show you my supercharger...

 

I presume the economy goes into the... well, the pits?

 

I’d be scared to change anything on that truck out of fear I’d mess it up. I can get 18, maybe 19, driving like a grandma to the point I about get run over.

 

This is what I typically see... so that's why I am asking... haha

Note, I don't have to grandma her much.

 

Probably because it is stock without large tires with aggressive tread. If people leave them alone and don't bolt on every accessory in the catalog that fuel mileage should be the norm. My 2007 DC 4X4 has 187,000 miles, has mildly aggressive AT tires slightly larger than stock and averages 20mpg hwy. I've hit 23 a couple of times under ideal conditions.

I'd expect a 2wd to do 1-2 mpg better. Aggressive mud tires in the same factory size cost about 2 mpg. Going to a significantly larger tire will cost 1-2 more mpg. Heavy aftermarket bumpers, push bars, sliders, roof racks, winches, and lifts add weight and hurt aerodynamics.

And some things cannot be controlled. Two years ago we drove from GA to SW Utah and back. I averaged 20+ for the entire trip and a lot of that was creeping around in city traffic, even 50-60 miles off road in the desert. Coming home I hit a strong headwind in Denver. Drove into it through 1/2 of Colorado and all of Kansas. Only got 16-17 mpg during that stretch which cancelled out the 23 mpg I got on a couple of tanks in Arizona.

 

You're full of shit.

 

I call BS

 

I can provide photos at the next fuel up if you like?
Not sure what I would gain from lying about fuel economy on a Tacoma forum... lol

 

because prerunner and stock

 

Even towing a trailer? Seriously? How heavy a trailer.

 

mine runs great........4x4...MT....V6.......all synthetic oils.....

new plugs.....clean air filter.....etc......I also drive sensible

filled up today.....12 gal/244 miles......combo 65 mph hwy.....

along with BLM desert graded roads.....in & out of gears..1-2-3-4 on gravel/dirt

no 4x4......SL 265's......great Taco !

 

my pre runner is stock, I live in flat Florida. Rarely see 20mpg, almost always 18 ish... driving semi grandpa style. I'd love to know how anyone is achieving high mpg consistently.

 

Its this.


I would consistently average 19-21 on a stock 4x4 and could easily get at least 1 more mpg if i was 2wd and didnt have all the extra parasitic rotating loses.

 

Ya know,it was believable until the towing part.

 

Yeah. I call bs on the towing mileage.

 

what better way to spend $20........

a days drive in the desert......

putt along....223 in the back seat.......

maybe see a dumb coyote.........$50/bounty each.....

pay for my gas !!!!!!!!

 

OP just joined a week ago. Com’on dude, we’re all experienced tacoma owners on here. If you want to pull one over on someone go talk to a Frontier owner.

 

I once drove downhill and shifted into neutral while drafting a semi. Wouldn't you know it my gas tank filled itself up miraculously. True story. Believe me.

 

OP - what brand/size tires are you running currently?