Why is my mpg so bad around 14-15?!

I’m interested.....what was the stock temp and the replacement temp of the thermostats?
What’s the best coolant temp for mileage on these 3.5L V6’s?

 

180 was stock temp.
If I recall correctly I went with 190. Not sure what the 3.5 uses / likes.

 

Under those conditions, with those tires, that is about what I'd expect. The more aggressive treads have more rolling resistance which will cost you 1, maybe 2 mpg. And short trips in city traffic is probably the worst possible conditions for good fuel mileage.

How you drive matters. My wife will get 2 mpg less than me over the same path. She doesn't understand the concept of reading the road ahead and coasting. Her right foot is always on either the gas or brake pedals.

 

I disagree man, OPs truck weighs more.

2wd always get better mpgs than 4x4s

 

Colder weather, 10 minute trips, probably warming it up before driving, winter fuel?,... Add all together, less mpg.

Sorry I didn't read the thread. But these trucks like to be fully warmed up to be efficient and get the mpgs you expect.

There is no magical mpg button on any vehicle. Well maybe a hybrid or electric.

 

Do you eat salads? Could be all the Halloween candy weighing you down. I do 100 push ups every night to improve my MPG.

 

No, I checked and ECT is not pushed in at all, thanks.

 

City driving, about 3 miles one way to work M-F, about 45-50mph here in Michigan. Another 4-5 miles x 3 times a week to hit the gym. Basically my mpg sucks so bad on my Tacoma that in only gets about 14 mpg!! OEM rims and tires. Nothing done on tires and engine. Even have bed cover to ease the wind draft!! Just puzzled...,,

 

Shorter trips in cold weather reduce fuel economy. I think this might qualify. Lets see what the other say. I wouldn't fret over it OP.

 

I'd be calculating the mileage instead of going by the indicator thing. If your trip is only 10 miles to work it may not have time to calculate right.

When my truck was new with the stock 245's V6 and 4x4 I was getting around 21 MPG if I didn't go over 70 MPH.

Put 265's on it at 1,200 miles and it dropped about 2 MPG. I just got back form a 127 miles drive, and averaged 18.5 to 19.5 driving 80+.

Was getting between 16 to 17 MPG till I hit around 9,500 miles...started getting better mileage after that.

 

Consistent with my results. When I was stock, driving a mix of hwy and city, I would average between 17.8 and 20, usually in the high 18, low 19 range. I removed my air dam and installed Falken Wildpeak 265/70/17 (stock is 265/65/17), and now I average with the same driving between 16.8 and 18.8. I do notice a dip over 65mph, and I've had my ecu reflashed. I know there are many factors that affect mileage, determining this guys problem is probably a exercise in futility, but there is something going on to only get 14-15, and I'm willing to bet it's probably not a mechanical issue, but I have no way of knowing.

 

Before I added new wheels/tires, skid plate, and bumper guard I noticed my MPG took a hit when the morning temps dropped and the winter fuel blend started. I figured the mods would kill it some but the temperature and fuel seemed to have more of an affect. I also don't commute very far for work and its all city streets. My Jeep used to do the same thing every winter and I didn't have any modifications on that aside from some nerf bars which were rather light. It is what it is, I didn't buy a Tacoma based on its mileage specifications.

 

Im getting 22MPG with my stock 2019 SR5 and I took the ugly air dam thing off the front and I dropped from 23v 22 if i keep under 75 i live in Nevada and its flat .

 

The amount of braking I see on the interstate is mind boggling. Folks just don't know how to moderate the accelerator. Or they can't see 100 yards in front of them and blow by you to the next red light.

Brakes: they convert kinetic energy (produced by combusted gas) into wasted brake heat. If you find yourself using your brakes all the time, you're doing it wrong, and you're wasting fuel, not to mention adding unnecessary wear to your entire driveline. It's OK to coast a little. It's OK to plan a head a little. You don't have to be mashing one pedal or the other the entire time--sometimes neither is a good option.

I average about 20mpg in mixed/city driving and can go north of 25 on the interstate. All stock, v6 4wd.

 

You own a truck. Get a prius if you want good mileage

 

Didnt run it into the ground before 1000 miles did you? The manual actually states there is a break in period for the first 1000 miles where you must drive it conservatively to avoid any damage, wear to the new parts. I had no idea of this until the 500 mile mark on mine and called my dealer and yelled at them for not telling me after I paid 35k for a brand new truck. Also, on my short trips I do get like 17-19. Long trips I average 23.

 

OP, i only get 14 ~ 15 mpg too. i have 285s, mud tires. ECT always on. I attribute low mpg mostly to my driving style.

 

Steps to get better mpg:

1) sell truck
2) buy compact 4 cylinder
3) enjoy 25-30mpg

 

Current tank 15.5 mpg adjusted for tire size. Topper with another total of 350 pounds added. 265/70/17 BFG KO2.

Work is close to home so truck is mostly cold when driven.

Still frequent these pointless threads because I have always had the suspicion my truck is not performing but never found an answer. I drive very conservative and best in city i can get is 18.

 

Haven't reset meter (intentionally) for around 2500 miles. Average about 18 with mixed highway & city. On average i drive no more than 10 miles a day unless i am going somewhere. Usually driving with a leer shell and Deegan 265/70/17. Key is light throttle, not braking hard unless necessary and don't drive like it like you stole it. I can usually get better mileage but sometimes my right foot gets the better of me. Unless you have incredibly bad driving habits, it's the small stuff that gets you better mileage.