16 mpg!
- Thread starter Woodsie8
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
awdjunkies
New member
CITY? HWY? How you drive also has some bearing on the MPGs. Also do you do any type of driving that involves elevation changes? Flat commute? Does that maintenance include fuel filter? cleaning your maf etc..
004runnerLtd
New member
Normal.
I average 17 mpg city/hwy.
Best I've gotten out of her was an average of 19 mpg.
Still gets better mileage than my Ranger!
I average 17 mpg city/hwy.
Best I've gotten out of her was an average of 19 mpg.
Still gets better mileage than my Ranger!
City, 16 mpg, & I drive like a grandma to conserve
When it starts, it smells rich to me, like the exhaust smells of gas. Can you lean them out some?
When it starts, it smells rich to me, like the exhaust smells of gas. Can you lean them out some?
Stick Figure
New member
You have to drive like your grandma only more conservative
I get around 15 with my normal driving habits and all city driving .. highway I have seen low 20's but only out of the CA area where there was much less traffic, and only if you keep the speed lower. This isn't an aerodynamic marvel after all.
I get around 15 with my normal driving habits and all city driving .. highway I have seen low 20's but only out of the CA area where there was much less traffic, and only if you keep the speed lower. This isn't an aerodynamic marvel after all.
I average about 18 hwy/ city. Most of which being highway.z28forlife
New member
Yup, I get right around 18 mixed city and hwy. Not great but definitely not bad IMO for an suv. Especially when you compare some of these little trucks like rangers or frontiers barely getting 15mpg. Best Ive gotten is 21 and that was basically all hwy and the worst so far is 16, which was all city. I try not to mash the pedal to the floor though, its already a slow truck, no sense in being a tenth of a second quicker and loosing 3mpg on every tank....haha.
awdjunkies
New member
Weird, almost sounds like a tune-up is needed even though you just had one. Or like Plugs or an o2 sensor/cat would be on it's way out(Although cat would be more of a sulfur/Rotten egg smell). Regarding the leaning, My answer to that is, Only if you are FI'd. Although there may be a program out there for us N/A people and I just haven't heard of it.
kman55
New member
Very wise words!
95Econobox
New member
Judging my the tripometer and the fuel gauge im gonna be lucky to get 200 miles out of a tank.
Fresh plugs, air filter, fuel filter, plug wires and seafoam treatment.
Had this truck about a month now and it drinks gas, i just cant figure out why. its not a large V6, it has ZERO power yet drinks gas as if it were a 500 hp V8.
I sold a Honda Pilot to get out from under the monthly payment and got a good deal on this 4runner but i have to say...It sorta sucks giving up something that regularly got 20mpg around town with well over 60 more HP. Naturally its a far more off road capable truck but man, its so slow and thirsty.
Im going to give it 2 tanks but there's no way i can keep this thing if it cant get more than 200 per tank.
Fresh plugs, air filter, fuel filter, plug wires and seafoam treatment.
Had this truck about a month now and it drinks gas, i just cant figure out why. its not a large V6, it has ZERO power yet drinks gas as if it were a 500 hp V8.
I sold a Honda Pilot to get out from under the monthly payment and got a good deal on this 4runner but i have to say...It sorta sucks giving up something that regularly got 20mpg around town with well over 60 more HP. Naturally its a far more off road capable truck but man, its so slow and thirsty.
Im going to give it 2 tanks but there's no way i can keep this thing if it cant get more than 200 per tank.
Keep in mind these have a fairly small tank. I don't think you have much chance of getting more than 200 per tank unless you are doing mostly highway driving.
I for one still think it is a crime that they didn't offer the turbo diesel option in the US for our 3rd gens. We would have everything we love about our 4Runners and still get decent mileage!
Baja Runner
Member
If you're stock then I'd agree you should be getting more. I dont know if its already been mentioned but make sure the following are completed:
Clean your MAF
Clean Throttle body, air intake, etc.
Replace with new Denso plugs and NGK wires
Replace PCV valve
Replace front O2 sensor with new Denso OEM style
Replace fuel filter with OEM filter
Do the seafoam before this stuff, and do the cheapest stuff first. I know it basically sounds like we're throwing parts at it, but everything together should help you get back into the 18-20 range, which would be better. I've owned 3 3rd gen 4x4's (Auto) and never got more than 19 on a tank, just to let you know... but it seems most people get around 18-20 on the boards. With my 33's and corrected mileage I get 17 mpg 95% hiway.
Clean your MAF
Clean Throttle body, air intake, etc.
Replace with new Denso plugs and NGK wires
Replace PCV valve
Replace front O2 sensor with new Denso OEM style
Replace fuel filter with OEM filter
Do the seafoam before this stuff, and do the cheapest stuff first. I know it basically sounds like we're throwing parts at it, but everything together should help you get back into the 18-20 range, which would be better. I've owned 3 3rd gen 4x4's (Auto) and never got more than 19 on a tank, just to let you know... but it seems most people get around 18-20 on the boards. With my 33's and corrected mileage I get 17 mpg 95% hiway.
95Econobox
New member
Shes stock and half of that Ive done. Plugs are right and i always use NGK wires on anything that left Japan. Also used an OEM fuel filter when i replaced it.
I did clean the TB but didn't clean the MAF and i figure the O2 would throw a code if it were bad wouldn't it? The truck runs great it would seem.
I guess i just got used to the Honda, it also had a small 16 gallon tank but would get around 350 to that tank and would scoot if you gagged it.
If it ends up being about 190 miles to this tank and its a 16 gallon tank my math says 11.8 mpg. I was expecting closer to the 16 mpg range putting me somewhere around 250 miles per tank. that's still crappy mpg but doable.
I did clean the TB but didn't clean the MAF and i figure the O2 would throw a code if it were bad wouldn't it? The truck runs great it would seem.
I guess i just got used to the Honda, it also had a small 16 gallon tank but would get around 350 to that tank and would scoot if you gagged it.
If it ends up being about 190 miles to this tank and its a 16 gallon tank my math says 11.8 mpg. I was expecting closer to the 16 mpg range putting me somewhere around 250 miles per tank. that's still crappy mpg but doable.
Drcoffee
Senior Member
If it makes you feel any better your cost per mile is the same as the MDX wthout the car payment. Here's the math:
MDX Premium gas is $3.73/gallon / 18mpg = $0.21/mile
4Runner Regular gas is $3.39/gallon / 16mpg = $0.21/mile
A smaller gas tank means more frequent fill-ups but the gas bill bill at the end of the month should be similar. Think of how many more miles you can drive for what you were spending on the monthly payment. ie $300/mo / $0.21 = 1,429 miles (=7 tanks of gas more) you can drive before you equal the expenses of the MDX. Need I remind you of the $4,000 replacement transmission if you own a 2001-2005 model.
The reliability is a huge factor of why I bought my 1999 4runner. That'll hopefully save me money in maintenance over the life of the truck. We all have to make choices but do the math on vehicle ownership and you may just find that the 4runner is a better value in the end.
MDX Premium gas is $3.73/gallon / 18mpg = $0.21/mile
4Runner Regular gas is $3.39/gallon / 16mpg = $0.21/mile
A smaller gas tank means more frequent fill-ups but the gas bill bill at the end of the month should be similar. Think of how many more miles you can drive for what you were spending on the monthly payment. ie $300/mo / $0.21 = 1,429 miles (=7 tanks of gas more) you can drive before you equal the expenses of the MDX. Need I remind you of the $4,000 replacement transmission if you own a 2001-2005 model.
The reliability is a huge factor of why I bought my 1999 4runner. That'll hopefully save me money in maintenance over the life of the truck. We all have to make choices but do the math on vehicle ownership and you may just find that the 4runner is a better value in the end.
HCurphy
New member
don't neglect air filter and the simplest of things: tire pressure.
The best I've ever gotten was 24--all highway--and I usually average high 18's with mostly city. You'res need some attention somewhere, but your not to low in the range so no matter what you do you're not going to gain but maybe 2-3 mpg.
The best I've ever gotten was 24--all highway--and I usually average high 18's with mostly city. You'res need some attention somewhere, but your not to low in the range so no matter what you do you're not going to gain but maybe 2-3 mpg.
GladeRunner
New member
You're MPG's aren't out of line at all. I get 16/19 running 31x10.5's and drive conservatively here in flat Florida.
Doing some of the regular maintenance stuff should help a little, and as someone else pointed out, proper air pressure should help a little.
Doing some of the regular maintenance stuff should help a little, and as someone else pointed out, proper air pressure should help a little.
Drcoffee
Senior Member
An O2 sensor will wear out and be less responsive but still not throw a code. You should replace it. Then clear the memory by disconnecting the battery for 15 mintues, hit the brake pedal a few times to discharge the computer and let it relearn the way you drive the truck. Modern vehicles actually learn your driving style. If the PO was a lead foot, the truck is pumping in more gas than it needs. It'll take a few tankfulls but your milage should improve.
As mentioned already, sea foam the engine and clean off the piston-top carbon buildup. Then replace the O2 sensor.
Maritimer
New member
Mine was bad, giving me 14mpg, and I had no code. If you know a nice shop with a great diagnostic computer they should be able to get you a great tune up that will improve things.
