I have just purchased a 02 TRD Tacoma to replace my aging 96 Tacoma which is on 31x10.5x15s and I gotta say its pretty good on gas, I get 500kms a tank regularly. This 02 I picked up has 265x75x16s on it which I know there are a smidge bigger than the 265x70x16 which are supposed to be equivalent to 31s, anyways this 02 Taco is only getting 400kms to a tank. Is it possible that if I switch from the 16in rim to 15in rim( I know I have to switch the calipers and rotors) that I will get the same mileage. On a side note my wifes 4runner with the same 3.4motor as the Tacomas is on 16s as well and only gets 400kms per if shes lucky( I know they are totaly different Im just saying).
What Im asking is do you think that the 16in rim is heavier and takes more to turn than the 15s would, thus better mileage.

 

It would probably be cheaper to buy lighter 16's if weight savings is what your after. Then you don't have to buy new tires, brakes, etc... That said, lighter wheels are not going to make a huge difference for your gas mileage.

 

Rim Size has nothing to do with it. Just go back down to 265/70/16s (same as 31/10.5/16) which is what your truck came with stock, if your concerned with gas mileage.

 

I know that no 2 trucks are the same but could there be a 100kms per tank difference between virtually the same truck.

 

You can install 15's on the 02 Tacoma. Our brakes are smaller than the 4Runner brakes, so 15's will fit without changing out the calipers. Going back down to 31's with smaller rims, you should see a slight improvement in MPG.

BTW, comparing "miles per tank" is useless. There are just too many variables. You must compare miles per GALLON. That will give you a better comparison between the two rigs.

 

I doubt the difference in tire size 70 series vs 75 series is going to male a HUGE difference in overall mpg's. It's A little more the. A half inch diameter wise and wouldn't change you more than a hundred rpm's at highway speeds. If you are that worried about it, go back to a stock tire size, and get a lighter tire like a Michelin ltx at2.

But make sure everything is tuned and running right before you go drop 800 bucks on tires you don't need.

 

Well if your right about the 15s fitting then I will just have to give that a try,

 

If you look at the brake calipers on your 96 and 02, you will see the calipers have the same number stamped on there. (something like s12wn. Can't remember exactly). Only some 04 Tacomas with VSC came with the bigger calipers that 15's won't fit on (S13WM).

Best is to just test fit them since you have both right there. If you a lot of on road traveling/commuting, not a bad idea to have a second set of rims with all-season highway tires on there. Saves the offroad tires, too. If mine were a DD, I'd get a set of 15" alloy wheels from a 95-00 Tacoma and put some cheaper all-seasons on there. I dropped about 2mpg after switching to 32's from 31's, so I'd say it's worth it to get that back as well.

 

yeah the only way ur gonna get better mileage is drop the tire size, u already have pretty light rims man, assuming you have the stock aluminum alloys on it, your probably better off just doing a tune up on it first(spark plugs, all the fluids, filters, cleaning the intake manifold, grease everything) see if that will satisfy mileage issues first.

also is it a 4x4? and how many miles are on it? these are gonna affect mileage too.

 

My 96 Taco 4x4 just rolled 400,000kms and is stock the 02 Taco 4x4 has 250,000kms on it with a 2in lift, the tires are pretty aggresive Yokahams on some aftermarket fake beadlock rims, I also have the factory rims with no rubber so Im thinking of going even smaller than stock but im not sure what size to go, maybe like 245s or something.

 

245/75/16 is about the same as stock 265/70/16's. Some 4Runners with smaller brakes/2WD came with 225/75/15, but those would look like tiny training wheels with your lift.

What ever you get, make sure to get P-rated for the best MPG.

 

alright i work for a tire company.. and you can fit 15's but they can not not matter what be steel rims they have to be alloys of some sort.

 

Say what?

 

This seems like an appropriate thread to ask for reccomendations on long life good gas mileage all-season, light all-terrain tires? I am looking for tires that will handle snow, but really shine on the highway in terms of gas mileage and road noise.
I need to replace my Mich Cross Terrain SUVs which I got 65K miles out of. I wouldn't even need to replace them if I bothered to rotate them.
I have seen the LTX AT2s mentioned. Anything else?

 

Cant beat Michellins for what your looking for in a tire IMO. they are a top notch road tire.

 

I'd go for either AT2's or LTX M/S. They wear like rocks.

 

are you asking why your old 96 with 31/15s got better gas mileage than your 02 with 265/16s? probably because they're two different vehicles. even though they're basically the same truck with the 3.4L, the newer one's got additional items you're carrying around like airbags/safety features, different grille and hood shape - all those things = more weight. also, you're calculating your mileage by the tank, but are you putting the same amt of fuel in? could be a difference of when you're filling up due to different fuel sensor. too many factors to give you answer.

now if your question was why am i getting worse gas mileage with 265s/16 vs 31s/15, then i would recommend that you look at the tire manufacturer's specs for each and see what the difference in diameter is - even though slight, it could be causing this, but i doubt it. if this were the case as well, i would ask when you swapped the tires because winter gas typically gives worse fuel economy than summer gas. but since this was not your question, i'm gonna say the difference in fuel economy is due to two completely different vehicles.

 

Stupid question, but you ever maybe think of getting a tune-up on the new one? It is 6 years old now, and quite possibly never had much (if anything) done to it. a LOT of people that only keep cars for a few years do as little as possible... basically oil changes, tires, and brakes) just to keep the car on the road. Before it needs something major, they trade it in for a new one. I see it ALL the time. Try a tune-up and see where you end up with it. You might be suprised.

 

edit: read my info wrong.

 

Actually, on second thought it is not appropriate at all. Sorry for threadjacking.
Kawi, run some Sea Foam though it and then give that thing a tune up (plugs, wires, fuel filter, full fluid changes). See how that raises your mileage.
After that, consider a can of Engine Restore.
Although I didn't run any compression tests on my truck, I swear my rig runs far better after I dumped a can in my case. I got 18.5 mpg on my last fill up on stock 265/70/16s (on winter gas, too).