[Perrone]

Been lurking around here for a while, but never need to post. I'm really sick of this and can't figure it out. I have a 1999 SR5 2wd and I normally only drive city. I do hit a lot of stop lights on the way to and from work but I only live about 5 minutes away from my job. I am currently only getting 160-180 miles per tank and I top off every single time. I have no idea what is causing this so I thought maybe you 4Runner gurus could help me out.

[cordrayj1]

sure you are topping off?

how much (gallons) are you able to put in at dead empty. im talking below the last line.

[Perrone]

I never let it get THAT low because I don't know how accurate the needle is and I'm a sissy. To be honest I can't remember how much I usually put in it because I've had the wife fill up the last few times. I'll be sure to check next time. Maybe I'm not COMPLETELY topping off, but I fill it up until it stops pumping. I came from a diesel car so I'm used to venting and overfilling, but I don't know how well that works with gas so I don't try it.

[cordrayj1]

so heres the deal, from what i have been educated on so far. . .

4runners have the tacoma fill tube going to the tank....

the tube is too long, which causes air to build up and gurgle while you pump. next time you go to fill up try to go to a quiet(er) area gas station and fill up till the click, then listen for: gurgle gurgle gurgle. then listen again, and again, and again, and again. i rarely pump more than 15.5 or 16 gals total at a fill up from dead empty. . . .but thats if im not trying to seriously MAX out the gas tank. there is a charcoal filter that can possibly damaged i think so try not to overfill. but also i personally never quit pumping at the first click.

[brian2sun]

Like cordrayj1 askd, how much is a "tank" for you. Sometimes the fuel gauge can be a little off so if it says you're empty when you still have a few gallons left. If your fuel light is on and then you top it off and only put in 10 gallons then you're getting average mpgs, but that means your gauge isn't reading correctly. But if you're putting in 14 or 15 gallons and only got 160 miles out of it, you have something wrong.

If it is in fact getting that bad of mpgs, you may want to replace your front 02 sensor if it's the original. Even if you're not throwing an engine light, a poorly functioning 02 can cause pretty bad mpgs.

[Nelsonmd]

You need to figure out your mpg's before assuming you are getting bad mileage. The gauges are notoriously off, and when the light turns on, you really have 80-120 miles left.

And don't top off. Stop when the pump clicks off and leave it alone. Overfilling can cause fuel to get into your evap system and ruin your charcoal canister

[JohnsD90]

Originally Posted by Perrone

I never let it get THAT low because I don't know how accurate the needle is and I'm a sissy. To be honest I can't remember how much I usually put in it because I've had the wife fill up the last few times. I'll be sure to check next time. Maybe I'm not COMPLETELY topping off, but I fill it up until it stops pumping. I came from a diesel car so I'm used to venting and overfilling, but I don't know how well that works with gas so I don't try it.

Yeah there isn't a venctectomy on the 4runners so no extra 2 gallons into the tank, but im surprised a what looks like TDIClub member that claims bad fuel milage by just saying what he gets miles per tank and not actually calculating milage! 180 sounds low but city can do that do you, just drive the tdi more.

[Perrone]

Originally Posted by JohnsD90

Yeah there isn't a venctectomy on the 4runners so no extra 2 gallons into the tank, but im surprised a what looks like TDIClub member that claims bad fuel milage by just saying what he gets miles per tank and not actually calculating milage! 180 sounds low but city can do that do you, just drive the tdi more.

I don't have the TDI anymore, but I wish I did. I might get another one later down the road. I'll check everything out next time I fill up. Sorry for the lack of details everyone. It just seems like I should be getting better mileage than this that's all.

Also, why are you surprised? I didn't seem it necessary to divide 180 by 17. Just figured I should be getting more than 10mpg.

[cordrayj1]

my mileage is getting worse and worse. i have also thrown 4 codes related to sensors and closed loop BS.....that may be your issue for real. just keep an eye on the gallons v actual miles


ALSO, if i push it - tank fully FULLY topped off and driving as conservative as possible - I can get 250 usually out of a complete tank on reg gas.

[PitbullRescuer]

Originally Posted by Perrone

I don't have the TDI anymore, but I wish I did. I might get another one later down the road. I'll check everything out next time I fill up. Sorry for the lack of details everyone. It just seems like I should be getting better mileage than this that's all.

Also, why are you surprised? I didn't seem it necessary to divide 180 by 17. Just figured I should be getting more than 10mpg.

Ironic that you posted this today, I was going to post something similar.

Went to the gas station today, 164 miles on the tank, took 13.5 gallons to refill with topping off. I filled it for the first time since buying it last week and topped it of then and rest the tripometer at the same time. That's 12.15 MPG. About 40 miles or so of this past tank were highway miles too.

I have a 99 SR5, 3.4, Auto., Highlander with 265/75/16 Duratracs on it. 191K miles. Any advice? MPG seems way too low to me. I'm 33 years old so I don't drive it with my foot through the floor either.

Also, I know the gas gauges in these can be off. How big are the gas tanks on these?

[Perrone]

Originally Posted by cordrayj1

my mileage is getting worse and worse. i have also thrown 4 codes related to sensors and closed loop BS.....that may be your issue for real. just keep an eye on the gallons v actual miles


ALSO, if i push it - tank fully FULLY topped off and driving as conservative as possible - I can get 250 usually out of a complete tank on reg gas.

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a go. With gas prices going up like they are I need to figure something out.

[cordrayj1]

is there no way to make a "venctectomy" for the 4runner? i mean, once the gas gets to the filler it shuts off anyways. as long as its up high enough it should be good right?

[Perrone]

Originally Posted by cordrayj1

is there no way to make a "venctectomy" for the 4runner? i mean, once the gas gets to the filler it shuts off anyways. as long as its up high enough it should be good right?

Pretty sure you can't do it because gas needs room for the fumes and expansion. Diesel doesn't quite work the same way. I read the reasoning a long time ago, but I don't remember the exact details. Either way I'm pretty positive it's not safe to do it with gas.

[cordrayj1]

makes sense. diesel is hard to light, gas isnt. duh on my part.

[DenverKid24]

Originally Posted by PitbullRescuer

Ironic that you posted this today, I was going to post something similar.

Went to the gas station today, 164 miles on the tank, took 13.5 gallons to refill with topping off. I filled it for the first time since buying it last week and topped it of then and rest the tripometer at the same time. That's 12.15 MPG. About 40 miles or so of this past tank were highway miles too.

I have a 99 SR5, 3.4, Auto., Highlander with 265/75/16 Duratracs on it. 191K miles. Any advice? MPG seems way too low to me. I'm 33 years old so I don't drive it with my foot through the floor either.

Also, I know the gas gauges in these can be off. How big are the gas tanks on these?

I have a 1999 SR5, 3.4L V6, Auto 4runner and the owner manual says 18.5 is the tank. The empty light on mine comes on at around 13. So usually I fill up at about 14-15. I am only getting 16.8, which isn't too bad, but I was expecting more as well.

Hate how the light comes on so early, freaks me out.