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Record MPG (city) for my 3VZE

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Old May 10, 2006 | 04:05 PM
  #1  
ChickenLover's Avatar
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From: NV
Cool Record MPG (city) for my 3VZE

Since the recent spike in gas prices, I've implemented what I like to call a 'no aggression' driving style. It simply entails slow accelerations and a calm demeanor. It's been a long time since my gas pedal has been depressed even half way. And boy, is it paying off!

I used to be perfectly happy with 250 miles per tank (city). My last couple of tanks have been around 285 (city). I thought I was doing really well... Until today's fill up.





That's about 18.2 MPG. Keep in mind, this is all city driving with short freeway stints. It's truly amazing what a little self-discipline can do.

Last edited by ChickenLover; May 10, 2006 at 04:26 PM.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 04:15 PM
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That is pretty good.
I average about 11.5 MPG every fillup, and that is around 162 miles I drive per week in my 3.0.

Even when my engine was in tip top shape, the most I could muster mister was around 15 to 16 combined city/freeway.

'Tis becuase the rig is not geared for the 31" tires, but for the puny 235s.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 04:17 PM
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i've gotta try that my last fill up was an even 10mpg
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Old May 10, 2006 | 04:35 PM
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From: Chandler AZ
Wow, I thought I was getting poor mileage with my average being between 14 and 16. I do the slow acceleration too, not to mention I only drive about 12 miles a day round trip to work. And your ride is and Auto? awesome, mine is manual, so I'm sure that counts for something.

Way to go!
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Old May 10, 2006 | 04:35 PM
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From: Portland, OR
I got 286 miles on my last tank. 90% city driving. I made a serious effort to not push the pedal down more than halfway for the whole tank. It was hard to do, but I think I am going to more often.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 04:38 PM
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I've had my runner about 2 months now and I get about 14.5 on each tank. I thought that I baby the go pedal since it doesn't do much, I wish I could get better mileage. I also Have a 95' 4wd v6 auto so I guess it needs some maintenance. The tires on it are 30x9.5 BFG A\T's so that shouldn't hurt it any.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 04:40 PM
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wow i average about 14-15 city and i thought that was awesome!!! but you showed me up by a long shot
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Old May 10, 2006 | 07:08 PM
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From: Miami FL
my laast fill up i hit 19 adjusted...i just hit 310 miles out of my tank today....

i mainly drive very little city and mostly 45-65mph secondary roads...2 lane roads that have route numbers....

these things have dummy lights right? i have never seen mine on!...
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Old May 10, 2006 | 07:10 PM
  #9  
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From: San Antonio, TX
Last tank I filled up was 16.75 mpg, all city driving. I average lower though when I travel above 70mph on the way to school (50 miles round trip).
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Old May 10, 2006 | 07:11 PM
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From: Canton, Ohio
WTF?

I have 4.88s with 32s and I drive pretty easy and I get no more then 13-MPG. No fair!

Lamm
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Old May 10, 2006 | 07:13 PM
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From: Newport News, Va
haha yeah talking about dummy lights, ive never seen mine come on till the other day when i was wheelin and was going up a steep hill!
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Old May 10, 2006 | 09:58 PM
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From: Maryland
Hit 20MPG the other day according to Corey's MPG calc.

Put 12 gallons in at 246 miles, do the math and....

It was, BTW, part of a 160 mile road trip, and then some round-town highway work. Then I headed up to Delaware (around 70 miles each way.) Filled up before it dropped below a quarter tank, and BING! Averaging around 65-75MPH and not nailing the throttle hard.

I'm impressed to say the least.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 10:16 PM
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my last tank with the 3.0 was 19.75mpg. This was mixed highway and city driving. But it was also on 33's with stock 4.11 gears. I've figured out how far off my odometer is off with my gps. A light foot does wonders when its time to fill up again.
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Old May 10, 2006 | 10:16 PM
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From: Dolores, CO
i'm at 18.9 or so, after the installation of the aisin hubs. woohoo! that's up from about 16.

edit: i've got 33s and 4.56 gears. the speedo is dead-on now, according to numerous speed traps.

edit (part 2): just got 187 miles when i refilled 9.247 gallons, for a new high of 20.22 i'll take it!

Last edited by photoleif; May 13, 2006 at 09:56 AM. Reason: clarify
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Old May 10, 2006 | 11:47 PM
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From: Fountain Valley, CA (so cali)
i average about 11 with my 3.0 with 31" shoes. that is mainly city driving and the engine barely warms up by the time i get to my destination. if i do all highway driving, i can average about 14-15. compesate for the bigger tires so somewhere around 12 normal 16 highway at 75 MPH
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Old May 11, 2006 | 02:23 AM
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From: TENN Native Languishing in Virginia
I read the manual when I bought my '94 XtraCab DLX V6 4x4 and it SAID there was a dummy low gas light, but I ended up stranded on I-10 in FL because it NEVER CAME ON! Don't trust it. Don't know if the bulb burned out or what, but I've run out of gas 4 times and it has never come on.

BTW, I get 16-18 combined mpg. I used to get over 20 on the highway, but it needs a tuneup I think.

Last edited by TNRabbit; May 11, 2006 at 02:24 AM. Reason: Add text
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Old May 11, 2006 | 04:05 AM
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From: the beach
For many years, and about 100K miles, I averaged 15-16 mpg, with the occasional 17-18 mpg on highway journeys. Last year I went to a different shop (where my wife has taken her Prelude for years) and they did a complete tune-up. Since then I average 18 mpg (local/hwy mixed), and have seen one tank get 21 mpg. But of course, a light foot helps.
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Old May 11, 2006 | 04:23 AM
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I just replaced the igniter/coil assy. on my 92 3.0 3Runner. It's a used unit I purchased on eBay for $50. I usually fill up at about half-tank. Previously in strict, around-town driving, I was getting 13.9 mpg. Now after the parts replacement, it's picked up 1 mpg - to 14.9. Hopefully, this trend will continue and the part will pay for itself in short order.

I'd like to do a road trip just to see if that mileage improves, as well. Best previous highway mileage was just over 21 mpg.

Mike in AR
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Old May 11, 2006 | 04:43 AM
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From: Atlanta
Good job. The only way gas prices will go down is if our consumption goes down. We who own small, fairly efficient Japanese engines are certainly doing our part. At least, we're doing a whole lot better than little momma all by her lonesome in a Denali at WOT to get to the mall.
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Old May 11, 2006 | 05:07 AM
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Originally Posted by RustBucket
Good job. The only way gas prices will go down is if our consumption goes down. We who own small, fairly efficient Japanese engines are certainly doing our part. At least, we're doing a whole lot better than little momma all by her lonesome in a Denali at WOT to get to the mall.

I dunno, a got a buddy with a Suburban and she gets 16 in town and 22 hwy. same as a 3.slow, only she has a 5.7 and another 2000 lbs to drag around.

I noticed in an article that the consumption actually dropped 1/2 of one percent last month.

so maybe $3 is the magic number.

Soon as I get the HG back on and the engine running good Im pondering selling the engine & transplanting a VW TDI-M

it will make 150 HP with a little tweaking and should get double the mpg.
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