jwbehm

I just got this Toyota 4Runner about 2 months ago. The specs are in my sig. I am consistantly getting 15-16 mpg (50% highway, 50% city)

Where should I start in terms of getting better gas mileage? I know my speedometer is already a little off (says 55 when I am really going 58). This truck is 100% stock with 265/70/16's.

Thanks

Jordan

fo_runner

How are your driving habits? I would recommend shifting at around 2000-2500 RPM for decent gas mileage.

Tacoma Dude

If you're a spirited driver on the highways that mileage sounds about right to me - maybe a little low.

How are you calculating your MPG?
If you are using the odometer or travel meter to do the math then you will end up with a lower number.

EDIT:
do you have anything that would slow you down?
Lift?
Roof rack?

jwbehm

I calculate MPG by reseting the odometer every time i top off the tank, then next time i top it off i divide however many gallons i put in it by how much is on the odometer.

Nothing is on it, 100% stock.

I shift at around 3000 rpm's usually, I will try shifting lower on this tank.

What are some normal things that people do to their Runners to get better gas mileage (besides deck plate and driving habbit's)?

Localmotion

that seems right

basic maint.

plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter...the list goes on and on and on and on and on...

Tacoma Dude

If you're speedometer is reading 55 when you are going 58 then your odometer will most likely be wrong too. How do you know you were going 58 at the clocked 55? If you have a GPS I'd strongly suggest that you use that to track your mileage and do the math to find your MPG. I'm willing to bet it'll make somewhere around 1-2 MPG difference.

EDIT:
unless of course you have something wrong with your speedometer.
I'm guessing maybe your 4runner came stock with smaller tires and the difference you're seeing is because of a larger size tire?

Derek Zeanah

Keeping it in tune and driving habits. I've seen up to 23 MPG on the highway, but 21 is looking more common with the way I drive around here (some hills) with the AC on. But then, I don't shift at 3k RPM either -- way before that.

fireteacher

clean the mass airflow sensor and disconnect battery for about 20 minutes. (resets the ecu) how many miles on the truck? maybe also need to replace the front o2 sensor, clean the throttle body.
and what others have posted, you should be in tip top shape!

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Buy a Corolla.

A V6 3rd gen...that is about as good as you are going to get on average.

jwbehm

I am pretty sure it came stock with 15 inch wheels, but the same tire size.


I cant imagine shifting before 3k rpm's, I will shift around 2k rpms on this tank and see what that does to my gas mileage.

Thanks alot for all of your help, I really appriciate it.

tulsa_97SR5

That MPH reading is pretty close, they are usually a little off, but usually in the other direction. Check your tire PSI, and check the gap on your plugs. Do you have the v6 (can't remember when they stopped selling the 2.7)
In my 97 i'm getting about 19 with 50% city, 50% hwy at 75mph, at least I am since we switched back to summer gas. It was a lot worse in winter.

bamachem

you can clean your MAF and do some seafoam (search), and then change the plugs and air filter and it MIGHT do some good. then swap all fluids over to synthetic. after all that, and checking your tire pressure, you MIGHT get 1-2 MPG better.

want to do more? slow down on the accelerations and you'll get much better MPG's.

Gerdo

I'm basicly stock 2000 4Runner. I average 19-20 mpg consistantly. I can tow 1500lb trailer up the mountains here in colorado on 85 octaine gas, keep the revs around 3k to 3.5k and still average 19 mpg.

grimpy

I get freaking 13mpg not adjust yet... half highway half local... I cleaned everything and changed things... My tires are at 40 psi...

One question, are you from So Cal? I have yet to hear of anyone from So. Cal getting good gas mileage.

Bob_98SR5

good observation about the speedo being off. when i went from the stock tires to 32s, i noticed that the gps reading and the speedo was accurate.

now it does sound like your mileage is on the low end of mpg range. type in "improving mileage" or "improving mpg" in the search box and see what comes up.

this is a topic that has come up sooo many times in the past year, so do some reading and let us know if you have any follow up questions

bob

hross14

i bought my 4Runner in cali (97, v6, Man) and averaged (while living there) 17-21mpg. That includes mountians, city, highway and crab flats and other 4 wheeling adventures. Then i moved to texas towing about 2000lbs and at times saw milage from 19-22mpg. However here in Texas i avergage about 17-18.5mpg.

Just a thought guys about milage and the MASS--i have the bullett/jet cone looking mass--maybe that is what makes up for part of the difference??

If this doesnt help just go for the Diesel upgrade and start robbing grease traps LOL HAHA

Spectre

That sounds real low for me.

I have the deckplate mod, a roof rack, I am at 100,000 miles and I get 19 MPG - 21 MPG

ugadawg95

I just put bigger (taller) tires on my 99 (265-70 to 265-75) I noticed the amount of miles I get out of a tank went from around 310 to 270. I know the speedometer is off a little bit (which means I can't get an accurate mpg total when i do the math) , and these tires are a bit heavier than the previous set, but I am not sure if I should be looking for other issues for the lowered mpg. Has anyone noticed the same affect from changing the aspect ratio of the tires?

Derek Zeanah

I'm getting better mileage than you and my Gen2 was bought in Califormia.

Maybe the fuel you're buying, but I doubt it'd have that much of an impact.

DoubleZero4x4

My 2000 is still averaging 18-20 MPG a week for my commute here in Phoenix. My commute is usually at the tail end of rush hour so I do sit in traffic for about 25 min. a day. If I hit the open road I can eek out 21-23 MPG. Loaded with the camping gear I still can hit 20 MPG. One time between Phoenix and Winslow (lot of mountain driving on twisting roads) in a fully loaded 4Runner I got 18.74 MPG.

I was happy considereing the truck spent most of its time upshifting for the mountains and my O2 sensor went out about 4K miles later so my MPG was not as good as it could have been.