I was excited to buy my first Tacoma recently after having a 4-door F150 forever; that truck was too big for city living.

I now have an extended cab 2011 Prerunner V6 model but am getting horrible mpg, less than 20 miles/ gallon. Regrettably, the truck does not have an overdrive 5th gear.

I am wondering if the stock gears are lower than I would like because of the tow package that I have?

I have 17" wheels and these are the RPM's I am getting on the highway:

55 MPH; ~2350 RPM
60 MPH; ~2500 RPM
65 MPH; ~2700 RPM
70 MPH; ~3150 RPM
80 MPH; ~3400 RPM

I never tow and am on the highway 75% of the time.

I am not concerned with the mpg as much as I am in overworking the motor.

I am not mechanically inclined and would like to know if anyone would advise changing the gears to be more highway friendly at 4th gear? And if so, which specs would be suggested?

Thx!

 

You got the wrong engine for good mpgs, should of went with the 2.7L 4cyl.

 

Yes, I am definitely realizing that now.

Do you think changing the gears could effectively reduce the RPMs on the highway?

 

I was under the impression all those trucks have overdrive. Is there an OD button on the side of the shifter?

 

There is no OD button unfortunately. Mine is one of the few that is a 4 speed only. So now I am trying to figure out if I resell it or if I can adjust the gearing. It really seems like the gearing was designed for the tow package, which I will rarely use.

 

Your rpms sound right. Pretty sure your truck is a 5 spd. I think the only taco offered in a 4 spd is the 2.7. Your truck is rated 21 mpg and the 2.7 is 20-25 depending on the model. Changing the gearing probably won't help unless you do a majority of highway driving. Even then, is it worth it? Probably not. Make sure the maintenance is up to date, clean a/f, properly inflated tires, drive it nice and easy. If you are that concerned with mpg's, hate to say it, but get a prius or corolla.

 

And you don't need to worry about over-working the engine at 3400 rpm. Its very happy at that speed.

 

Thx for the reply j2the-e! I have looked everywhere for an overdrive button but do think it is only a 4 speed. It must be a rare model because many have given me th same response as you.

Glad to hear that you do not think 3400RPM's is bad for the motor. I'm usually on the highway at 2700.

 

They make a 4 speed auto, rare but its out there.

No real way to help your mpg, its a truck, its heavy and it drags in the wind. Mpg and truck are not happening unless you remove excess weight, say like the bed.

 

Thx for the input.

Has anyone eve tried switching the gears to help on the highways? I am on the road A LOT!

 

Tonneau cover took my dakota crew cab from 15.mpg to 19
A more free flowing intake and exhaust would bump it up around 22

 

You either have 3.90 or 4.10, judging by the rpm at speed you probably have 4.10.

Whats really killing your mpg is the 4 speed automatic, a 5th gear would drop you from 3400rpm to say roughly 2900rpm or less. Less the engines singing along less work it has to do and better mpg.

ALL of these things are quite costly. Regearing is in the 500+ range, swapping an axle from a junked truck is hard and costly.

Might be worth just living with mpg or finding the truck that gets better mpg.

 

Lets see a picture of the shifter. I have to see it to believe it! Picture of the vin tag on the driver door jamb too

 

Im going to tell you something amazing which can make you a lot of money, you have a v6 / 4 speed auto, you are the only person IN THE WORLD that has this combination! Crazy eh!? It so super rare that you should be able to sell it for a million dollars!!!

Seriously, every automatic toyota truck tranny has overdrive. Every single one. And less than 20 mpg isnt "bad" its "normal". If you wanted 25mpg in a truck you should have bought a reg cab, 4cyl 5spd. Not a big heavy powerful prerunner (which is a 4x4 without the diff/tcase). What were you expecting, prius like numbers? Lastly, you have a 5spd auto, but did you make sure the overdrive button is depressed?

 

Another thing to consider is tires. You aren't going to get the best mileage with 35" super swampers.

 

I am truly hoping you are right and there is an overdrive, or that you are right and this truck is worth millions being a sole 4-speed/ V6
(bidding may start now)

I am trying to attach the photos, not sure if this will work.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/obgwpek94yih63n/_IL6TwSefb

 

Toyota doesn't brag about its MPGs with a truck. it does about the prius... think you bought the wrong Toyota.

 

Thats a 5 spd dude. 4th is to the left, D (OD) is to the right

 

You shift into "D" right? Not 4th?

 

Don't worry at all about the rpm on the highway. That engine can hold 4500 all day. Just love it and drive it!