Wacky mpg?
Feb 4, 2019 | 08:28 PM
#1
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Wacky mpg?
Hi guys, first time ever posting in one of these forms… Looking for some answers/help. Thank you in advance!
Truck: 1994, Dlx, 22re, 4wd, owned for 12yrs
MPG issue: I took a recent 1500 mi trip to Baja California and was getting between 18-21 MPG (with 600lbs of extra weight), now I’m getting 16 ( with no extra weight). What gives?
Baja trip 1500miles:
* 600lbs of extra weight (camping gear)
*Tstat 180 deg (temp gauge was showing 1/4 the whole way)
*new fan clutch (duralast)
*fresh oil/coolant/air filter change
*average speed 45-60, highway, mountainous, cold, wet
*mexican gas
*MPG 17.10-20.5
4wks later, w/some mods, 178miles:
*0lbs extra weight
*new fan clutch (Aisin)
*Tstat 190 deg. OEM (single stage) (gauge reads little over 1/3)
*city/highway, some mountains, cold, wet
*Avg speed 50-75
*USA gas (87, little 91 mixed in for pep!)
*MPG 16.41
any ideas for better mpg?
thank you, B
Truck: 1994, Dlx, 22re, 4wd, owned for 12yrs
MPG issue: I took a recent 1500 mi trip to Baja California and was getting between 18-21 MPG (with 600lbs of extra weight), now I’m getting 16 ( with no extra weight). What gives?
Baja trip 1500miles:
* 600lbs of extra weight (camping gear)
*Tstat 180 deg (temp gauge was showing 1/4 the whole way)
*new fan clutch (duralast)
*fresh oil/coolant/air filter change
*average speed 45-60, highway, mountainous, cold, wet
*mexican gas
*MPG 17.10-20.5
4wks later, w/some mods, 178miles:
*0lbs extra weight
*new fan clutch (Aisin)
*Tstat 190 deg. OEM (single stage) (gauge reads little over 1/3)
*city/highway, some mountains, cold, wet
*Avg speed 50-75
*USA gas (87, little 91 mixed in for pep!)
*MPG 16.41
any ideas for better mpg?
thank you, B
Feb 4, 2019 | 08:38 PM
#2
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,380
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From: San Francisco East Bay
Stay on the highway? I can get 20 mpg or a little better just driving down the highway at the speed limit. But as soon as I throw in a little stopping, driving on city streets, etc. the MPGs plummet. I have an instantaneous MPG gauge, so I don't think I'm guessing. Wish I could give you something more useful
Feb 5, 2019 | 08:45 AM
#4
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,112
Likes: 582
From: Portland, Oregon, USA
Regular things to check:
- Tire pressure
- Engine running the best it can, is everything in good working order?
- Brakes not sticking
Feb 5, 2019 | 09:51 AM
#5
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 110
From: Northern Colorado
178 miles and a single fill-up isn't really enough to accurately measure mileage. Just having the pump shut off a bit earlier (or later) can vary the computed mpg by 10% or more. Run a few more tanks, do some averaging, and see what happens.
I agree with what others have said. Pure highway miles at 65 mph or less will generally give me 2 mpg greater than a mix of city and 50 mph country driving. Also, the 600 lbs of extra weight doesn't really hurt you when cruising down the highway (unless it's on a roof rack). It's stopping and starting it in town where it makes a difference.
I agree with what others have said. Pure highway miles at 65 mph or less will generally give me 2 mpg greater than a mix of city and 50 mph country driving. Also, the 600 lbs of extra weight doesn't really hurt you when cruising down the highway (unless it's on a roof rack). It's stopping and starting it in town where it makes a difference.
Last edited by RJR; Feb 5, 2019 at 09:53 AM.
Feb 5, 2019 | 10:12 AM
#6
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Stay on the highway? I can get 20 mpg or a little better just driving down the highway at the speed limit. But as soon as I throw in a little stopping, driving on city streets, etc. the MPGs plummet. I have an instantaneous MPG gauge, so I don't think I'm guessing. Wish I could give you something more useful
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Feb 5, 2019 | 09:42 PM
#9
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 7,125
Likes: 681
I think the 55mph speed limit was based upon fuel economy studies, not safety, so O.P.'s speeds in Mexico are around the more efficient range. I can feel the engine strain significantly more when I run over 65mph in fifth gear.
Last edited by RAD4Runner; Feb 6, 2019 at 07:52 AM.
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