I bought my first 4 runner 4 months ago, a 98 from Texas with no rust and a lot of deferred maintenance . 250K miles with an AT and a CEL that said AF sensor malfunction. The engine and drive train was all original and never touched. The good: good oil change history and always garaged and one woman owner. The bad: original transmission and PS , dif oils, brake fluid, loose spark plugs, leaky valve covers and original TB, fuel filter, radiator..Prev owner said gas mileage about 14 -16. Over a few weeks I replaced all the fluids,new cover gaskets, new TB, water pump and crank, cam seals, Toyota filters, both 02 sensors and MAF,, all oil and coolant flushes including full tranny drain and refill with synthetics The plugs were old ,all barely in and 3 were removed without a socket wrench. New iridiums.Brake work front and rear. Valve lash checked. All parts replaced were OEM Toyota from advice by Timmy. Car then ran perfectly so time for a road trip in my first 4R. 700 miles around our neighborhood of WY and MT. First tank was 24.3 mpg! mostly hwy using cruise and 55-65 mph. A fluke? Next tank 23.4. Since then a mixture of hwy and city, never less than 21.1. I always fill to one click on the Toyota gas cap. NO oil consumption in almost 2000 miles. My scanner shows STFT always near 0 and LTFT 4-6 with normal voltages, current and AF ratio. Wow. couldn't be happier with a relatively heavy 4wd close in mpg to our slightly older and much lighter MT subaru impreza wagon. Anybody out there with numbers like this? We have old stock tires and rarely drive over 65-70, no xtra wt or air resistance.Cost to do all this work wasn't cheap but so far has been well worth it especially for spending less than $3500 on a 25 year old car.
3rd gen gas mileage..wow!
- Thread starter hugho
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Rushthezeppelin
New member
Yeah that's definitely out of the ordinary. Best I've gotten was 22. Normally 17-18 with mixed driving.
I got an indicated 20 - 21 mpg a couple of times when I first got my '99 5 spd. But it had some tiny tires on it. More rotations per mile, more miles on the odometer, so it would calculate to more miles per gallon. Then I put 32" tires on it, fewer rotations per mile, fewer miles on the odo. And now it has 33" tires. So even fewer indicated miles. I'm sure it's affected the actual MPG, but the effect on the odometer is probably the bigger reason it currently gets around 15 (indicated) mpg.
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gamefreakgc
Elite Member
It's a bit on the high side, that's for sure. Did you install a Toyota OEM A/F sensor for the front? I could see it running lean if it was not. Will seem fine in the short term but could cause issues in the long term.
I have achieved 21 MPG on pure highway driving when outside CA and 20 MPG inside CA (with 10% ethanol) so over 20 is definitely achievable.
I have achieved 21 MPG on pure highway driving when outside CA and 20 MPG inside CA (with 10% ethanol) so over 20 is definitely achievable.
the_welfare_wagon
New member
I can see it tbh though it definitely seems a decent bit higher than what I’d expect.
If I do ALL highway ~60-65mph I get about 19 with a softshell RTT, awning and rear basket carrier and 255/85s
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If I do ALL highway ~60-65mph I get about 19 with a softshell RTT, awning and rear basket carrier and 255/85s
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pluton
Senior Member
Explain, please. What do the clicks upon tightening the gas cap have to do with how much gas you put in the tank?
You got about the best mileage anyone's ever gotten on a 3rd gen 4Runner.
I think I'd get that mileage with stock tires (P=rated), 55 MPH, all highway, in 5th gear (5-speed here), no hiils, no wind, no air conditioning, no extra weight beside driver.
Wolfhound_Actual
Junior Member
I get about 20 in regular driving but I only drive on back roads to or from work at around 50 mph. It's also in Florida so no hills at all. That's kinda cheating, haha.
phattyduck
Elite Member
Most people don't drive that conservatively (ie, slow). If you do, over 20mpg is easily achievable, even on the V6 4WD AT.
When mine was new (V6, 2WD, AT at the time), there were many 26mpg tanks...
Now with 4WD, lift, slightly oversized tires, armor, roof rack, etc. I get around 20mpg on the highway. High teens on the commute with a fair amount of traffic.
-Charlie
When mine was new (V6, 2WD, AT at the time), there were many 26mpg tanks...
Now with 4WD, lift, slightly oversized tires, armor, roof rack, etc. I get around 20mpg on the highway. High teens on the commute with a fair amount of traffic.
-Charlie
I have gotten as high as 23.5 mpg, going from Atlanta to the Florida panhandle with my stock '99 SR5 3.4L 2WD. With 4 people inside and suitcases for a long weekend. It was slightly downhill the whole way (~1,000 feet over ~350 miles), and I set the cruise control on 60, which seems to be the magic number for the best fuel economy while still making some time. Anything over 65 and it starts dropping fast, becoming dismal above 70.
If my whitewater kayak or canoe are up top and I cruise @ 65-70 mph, then it drops down to ~17-19 mpg on the interstate.
If my whitewater kayak or canoe are up top and I cruise @ 65-70 mph, then it drops down to ~17-19 mpg on the interstate.
jross20
New member
It's possible at higher altitudes. I've achieved 26 mpg in my 4WD V6 when we drove out to Wyoming years ago. OF COURSE, this meant less power which was a struggle up at 12,000 feet.
OP, what is the elevation where you live?
I will say that I've been experimenting and battling with the fuel economy in my rig since I've had it. It varies so wildly that it drives me nuts. Over a year ago I was getting 19 weekly on my typical work route, where as now it can jump from 16.5 to 19.5 weekly with almost no difference in driving. Truthfully I think we don't actually know, or maybe the majority of us, what "good" or "typical" fuel economy should be in these rigs these days.
I achieved 28 mpg in my old 2nd taco (v6 2WD) which at the time the folks over on Tacoma world said they thought it was impossible.
Anyway, just my two cents....
