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Is 14mpg bad?

Old Apr 7, 2019 | 02:32 PM
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Is 14mpg bad?

I have been getting 14.0 - 14.5mpg ever since I bought my 93 pickup w/22re a couple years ago. Since then I have fixed/installed a few things like new headgasket, lce header + midpipe.. but mileage stays the same and occasionally dips in the 13's if I forget to unlock the hubs when I'm back on the street.. granted I do rev the piss out of her and like to stay in good rpm range, I just feel like there's something I'm missing that is robbing me of a good 4-5mpg at least...?
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Old Apr 7, 2019 | 03:07 PM
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running 33's with stock gears? You didn't mention if you are stock with stock tires or lifted with bigger tires..
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Old Apr 7, 2019 | 03:28 PM
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My '87 with 4.10's and 10.50-31's gets about 21-22mpg in mixed driving.

The '88 'Bluerunner' I rebuilt and sold got closer to 24mpg.

Maybe O2 sensor, or not going into closed loop?? Any codes set??
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Old Apr 7, 2019 | 04:29 PM
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Sorry forgot to mention I have 32's with stock gears and no codes, also replaced the o2 sensor with the best suggested brand/type (don't remember brand).

Last edited by Jakez; Apr 7, 2019 at 04:46 PM.
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Old Apr 7, 2019 | 04:49 PM
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32's shouldn't drop it that bad, if you were getting 18mpg I would blame the tires, but I would say something is not right to get that poor with a 22re to only be getting 14. I get better than that pulling a trailer with mine with metric tires that are as big as most 33s (albeit narrower) and 4.88s. Without a trailer I will get around 20, with one I usually get close to 17 (obviously depends on the trailer). If the sensor to the airbox (don't know what it is called) isn't working right it will cause them to suck the gas, but I've never seen that not throw the check engine light. I ran a previous 89 for years with the wires disconnected from the O2 sensor and it never affected the gas mileage (did have a check engine light) but I know it made a very noticeable difference in my Tacoma when the O2 sensor went.

I will say I have owned five trucks with 22re motors, three extended cabs and two regular cabs, all five speeds (automatics usually get noticeably worse mileage) have ran anything from small 30-9.5s to some 34 inch super swampers and while every one seemed to vary a bit from the others none of them approached the mpg you're getting unless I was bucking deep snow.
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Old Apr 7, 2019 | 04:56 PM
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Got the correct thermostat in it??
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Old Apr 7, 2019 | 05:10 PM
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I think I have a 190 degree thermostat, but not 100% positive. I'm about to drill a small hole or two in mine anyhow because it likes to act like it's going to overheat when I'm first driving down the road on a cold startup.

How would the thermostat effect mpg?
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Old Apr 7, 2019 | 05:14 PM
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If it does not run hot enough, it won't go into closed loop.

Might test the sensor the computer uses to determine engine temp too.
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Old Apr 7, 2019 | 06:25 PM
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The four biggest factors for mpg that I can think of are engine health, gearing / tire combination, excess weight being carried around, and driving style.

You mention that you continuously rev the engine.

Maybe change your driving style a little closer to "elderly man driving a Buick" and check your fuel economy again.

Just something else to consider.

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Old Apr 8, 2019 | 03:12 AM
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This tank I'm on a roll. 206 miles and I still have that "1/4" left.
Used to have 16.
This tank I am staying under 65 / 3000RPM
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Old Apr 8, 2019 | 03:45 AM
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Originally Posted by ev13wt
This tank I'm on a roll. 206 miles and I still have that "1/4" left.
Used to have 16.
This tank I am staying under 65 / 3000RPM
i routinely run 310 to 330 miles on a tank in my ‘87 4r. i rarely hit 65 on the highway (by choice). mileage varies from 17 to 23 mpg.
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Old Apr 8, 2019 | 03:53 AM
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Originally Posted by wallytoo
i routinely run 310 to 330 miles on a tank in my ‘87 4r. i rarely hit 65 on the highway (by choice). mileage varies from 17 to 23 mpg.
I'll report back, but the max until now was 250. But I would go 75 / 85 every day.
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Old Apr 9, 2019 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Jakez
... I have 32's with stock gears....
How do you calculate MPG? Do you take into account that 32-inch tires rotate less than stock (29-inch) in order to cover given mileage?
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Old Apr 10, 2019 | 01:17 AM
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250 miles but I still have gas left!!!
+5% due to deviation speedo vs. GPS
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Old Apr 11, 2019 | 11:27 AM
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18 to 21 MPG, with 31-inch tires, mix city & highway with a little dirt roads. Checked against Speedometer GPS phone app.
Next time I drive mostly highway, I'll monitor again.
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 02:17 AM
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Well, I made it to 282 miles, +5% GPS

12,45 Liter / 100 km
Cost:15,68 USD / 100 km (60 miles)
Around 90 Euros / 101 USD for a full tank of gas

18,9 MPG
Gallon of Gas in Germany: 6,44 USD

Last edited by ev13wt; Apr 12, 2019 at 02:46 AM.
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Old Apr 12, 2019 | 02:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Jakez
Sorry forgot to mention I have 32's with stock gears and no codes, also replaced the o2 sensor with the best suggested brand/type (don't remember brand).
have you checked your odometer against mile markers? You may have to put in a compensation factor.
Check it over 10 miles and see what you get.
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Old Apr 17, 2019 | 01:08 PM
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Normal for how you're driving. My 94 2wd 22re is completely stock and I can scrape 19mpg at 55. At 75 its about 13.
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Old Apr 17, 2019 | 02:11 PM
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just made a trip up to burlington vt and back (250 miles round trip) doing 65 (gps) the whole way and did 17.9 mpg for the tank. still had 2 gallons when i filled up.
running 32x11.5/15 tires on stock wheels.
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Old Apr 23, 2019 | 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Melrose 4r
have you checked your odometer against mile markers? You may have to put in a compensation factor.
Check it over 10 miles and see what you get.
Good idea! I'll try that!
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