2003 4Runner Limited V8 Gas Mileage Average?

[03LimitedRunner]

I just bought a used 2003 4Runner Limited with V8. Before purchasing, I read that they get between 18-20 Hwy and 14-18 city. I'm still on my first tank of gas and its halfway empty and I have only gone 150 miles. If that is correct, then that means I'm only averaging about 8 miles per gallon? Thats worse than a Hummer. What do you usually average per tank with your 4Runner, 2003 and beyond?

 

[peter78]

Don't freak out quite yet, when you are empty you still have about 2 1/2 gallons in the tank. I would say at about a half a tank you have used about 11 gallons, which would be 13.6 MPG, not great but not 8. When you fill up, that will tell you what is going on.

On my 2004 V6, a half a tank is about 200 miles and I get a little over 18 MPG. When I am below empty and the light has been on and the computer says 0 miles left in the tank, I still have about 2 gallons left.

So check it a few times before you freak out.

 

[Brady]

These were rated at 15/20 mpg city/hwy. 15 is about what I usually get in city or when towing lightly, 16-17 on the highway. Check your air filter, tire pressure etc., 8 mpg is too low

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I have a 03 Limited 4x4 with v8. In stock form I get between 15-16 with mixed driving (mostly highway). I should note I have a very heavy foot, so it's capable of more. With the new 255/75/17 tires, I'm getting 16-17 mpg average.

 

[nmsail]

Mine is stock, according to the computer I get ~20 to 20.5 on the highway doing 65-70. Above 75-80 and it comes down quickly.I get 14-16 mpg in the city and average 19 mpg overall, which is mostly highway driving. This is all according to the computer.

I just reset the trip last time I filled up so I'll let you know what I'm really getting in a few days, currently I'm showing a little over half tank and I've gone like 175 mi.

 

[03LimitedRunner]

Mine is stock, according to the computer I get ~20 to 20.5 on the highway doing 65-70. Above 75-80 and it comes down quickly.I get 14-16 mpg in the city and average 19 mpg overall, which is mostly highway driving. This is all according to the computer.

I just reset the trip last time I filled up so I'll let you know what I'm really getting in a few days, currently I'm showing a little over half tank and I've gone like 175 mi.

hmm not sure if I have a MPG computer on the 03...

 

[MikesToy]

hmm not sure if I have a MPG computer on the 03...

Press the "Mode" button, you'll get the Range, MPG, then AVG MPH.

 

[03LimitedRunner]

Coolio brotha :drummer:

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yep, we have the mpg readout, but it's useless. Mine is typically at the minimum 2mpg high.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

i get as low as 9-11mpg but I have a really short commute ~ 1 mile. On the highway I can get as high as 20-21mpg if i keep it at 65mph. These are corrected numbers since my readout is always 2mpg more than actual.

 

[M1911]

Yep, we have the mpg readout, but it's useless. Mine is typically at the minimum 2mpg high.

Agreed. Mine is 1-2 mpg optimistic.

I'm currently getting 14.5 mpg (measured by hand, miles driven divided by gallons pumped) on a my stop-and-go city/highway commute. My mileage seems to be a couple mpg lower than it used to be.

 

[mtabor]

I just got back from a 1k mile trip and was averaging 18 mpg at 85 mph with my 04 V-8

 

[03LimitedRunner]

how much do you normally spend on gas per week?

 

[M1911]

how much do you normally spend on gas per week?

How much I spend really isn't relevant to how much you will spend. Figure out how many miles you drive per week, make an assumption about the cost of gas, measure your mileage, and do the math.

Suppose I drive 240 miles per week. I get 14.5 mpg. 240 miles / 14.5 mpg = 16.6 gallons. Assuming $3/gallon, 16.6 x $3 = $49.6 per week.

But the mileage that I get, the miles I drive, and the cost of gas around here may not be the same for you.

 

[V8 AWD 4EVR]

V8 awd 2003 here.

my computer says 21.x on road trips. in town i am at 17 avg.

v8

 

[M1911]

my computer says 21.x on road trips. in town i am at 17 avg.

Try determining it by hand -- miles driven divided by gallons pumped. I suspect you'll find that your computer is 2 mpg optimistic.

 

[nmsail]

03 V8 Sport

Computer: 19.3 mpg avg.
Actual: 17.6 mpg

That is probably 85% hwy miles

 

[radicalwillie]

Also, mileage estimates are usually calculated at sea level with "true" gas. If you drive at high altitude, your mileage will suffer. If you're using gas with a high ethanol percentage, this will hurt your mileage too. Most states require gas stations to list their ethanol percentage if its over 8 -10%. If you are buying your gas from a station that is drastically cheaper than other stations, its probably very high in ethanol.

 

[spyne]

I bought my 2003 V8 Limited new and have tracked every tank of gas and it's MPG in an Excel spreadsheet. The truck currently has 59K on it.

I'm averaging 13 - 14 MPG right now on a 2 mile commute with numerous traffic lights and a top speed of 40. A few years ago, my 24 mile round trip commute with few lights and an average speed of about 50 got me roughly 16 MPG.

The best I ever saw was on a trip where I filled up at the top of a ramp onto the highway, drove with the cruse at 70 until the tank had about an eighth of a tank, and then filled up at the top of the ramp. We hit 20.78 MPG on that trip.

 

[03LimitedRunner]

I got an appt at the dealership. I'm still averaging about 10mpg's. I can watch the needle go down as I drive. Must be a hole in the tank!