4th Gen SE, <12 MPG?????

[MoNkV6]

Hello all,

New to the forums, just bought an 03 4Runner SE V8. Love the vehicle! Have a few problems; sulfer smell issue (we all have this), the issue with not enough lubricant on the slip yoke (getting this fixed now), but the biggest issue I believe is unique to me (I tried searching).

I'm getting 11.9 MPG (calculated by setting my trip to 0 after a fill, then dividing the total miles by the gallons required to refill). I'm doing mixed driving 80% city. I am not horsing the 4runner, my last car I beat to death, but I'm being much nicer this time around.

The 4runner seems to be driving well, is this anything outside of the usualy (sensors, filters, etc) that can explain this horrible MPG or this the norm (I swore it was rate 16 for the city.

Please help.

 

[Jacobzky]

there alot to it when it comes to gas consumption, i'm sure alot will chime in on this topic. check your air filter, tire pressure to begin with and some notice fuel improvement with synthetic oil, not so much but better than nothing. and that 80% driving in the city could contribute as well. and there is a thread here that tell you how to save gas consumption. search around. hope this helps.

 

[toybox]

That definitely sounds low. I have oversized tires and don't baby it but don't abuse it also. I do a mix of driving but almost no highway driving. I get anywhere between 14 and 15 mpg and I'm happy with that considering my set up and driving habits.

 

[MoNkV6]

That definitely sounds low. I have oversized tires and don't baby it but don't abuse it also. I do a mix of driving but almost no highway driving. I get anywhere between 14 and 15 mpg and I'm happy with that considering my set up and driving habits.

If I could get that with the Stock Tires, I'd be happy. I'm wondering if a diagnostic at a dealer would help.

 

[toybox]

How many miles are on your truck? And I know you listed a V8 but your screen name has a V6 in it. Do you have the V8?

Tire pressure and air filter are the obvious things. Maybe take it to Autozone or the like to have them read if there are any error codes with an OBDII scanner (they do it for free)

 

[MoNkV6]

How many miles are on your truck? And I know you listed a V8 but your screen name has a V6 in it. Do you have the V8?

Tire pressure and air filter are the obvious things. Maybe take it to Autozone or the like to have them read if there are any error codes with an OBDII scanner (they do it for free)

MoNkV6 is just a handle I've used for a while. Yes I indeed have the v8, ironically I also live in Philly. I have no idea AutoZone will check your codes for free.

 

[toybox]

MoNkV6 is just a handle I've used for a while. Yes I indeed have the v8, ironically I also live in Philly. I have no idea AutoZone will check your codes for free.

Yes they will check it for free and I'd imagine that is all the dealer would do too if you brought it to them. If you have no luck on getting it scanned I have a scanner and could possibly meet you somewhere to check it.

 

[MoNkV6]

Yes they will check it for free and I'd imagine that is all the dealer would do too if you brought it to them. If you have no luck on getting it scanned I have a scanner and could possibly meet you somewhere to check it.

And my name is also Joe. Funny. I'll try hitting AutoZone this week, if nothing comes up I'll PM you. If anyone else out there has some suggestions please comment away.

 

[Bill42]

Isn't it the case that our vehicle "learns" our particular driving habits and compensates accordingly? If so, then maybe the previous driver was a leadfoot.

Possibly, unhook the battery and then rehook. Let the vehicle learn your driving patterns. Your vehicle should not be getting 12 mpg.

Mine gets 14-15 mpg with upsized tires. Also, I would calculate mpg based on how many miles on your trip dial as opposed to using the mpg from the info center in the console. That info is typically a rolling number.

Am I correct on this?

 

[Offroader]

Your fuel economy will depend on how much city or highway driving you do.

The T4R gets the best fuel economy between 55 and 65mph at constant speed with cruise control.

Also, your driving style. The less you brake, the better fuel economy you'll get.

If you floor the gas to then having to stop abrubtly, you'll get terrible fuel economy.

 

[MoNkV6]

Your fuel economy will depend on how much city or highway driving you do.

The T4R gets the best fuel economy between 55 and 65mph at constant speed with cruise control.

Also, your driving style. The less you brake, the better fuel economy you'll get.

If you floor the gas to then having to stop abrubtly, you'll get terrible fuel economy.

Like I wrote above, I've been driving fairly conservatively and mostly city, but from what I've read 12 is still very low. I am calculating my MPG using my trip and how much I pump at the station.

Anyone else know anything disconnecting the battery and reseting the ECM as a way of improving mileage?

 

[boston_kevin]

I think there was one user here getting about the same mileage, but all his mileage was in NYC and in the 'burbs.

How many miles are on the rig? Have you checked the plugs and filters? If you still have the Dunflops, set them to 35+ and see if your mileage improves. I'd start with the basics and work your way up to the codes and stuff. If you are not throwing any CEL or any obvious codes, it would be unlikely that this is due to a sensor error.

 

[jharris2]

Anyone else know anything disconnecting the battery and reseting the ECM as a way of improving mileage?

Just disconnect the negative cable for about a half hour, then reattach.

Don't forget that you'll need to initialize the driver's window, rear window, and sunroof. The radio will also likely lose its station settings.

 

[MoNkV6]

I think there was one user here getting about the same mileage, but all his mileage was in NYC and in the 'burbs.

How many miles are on the rig? Have you checked the plugs and filters? If you still have the Dunflops, set them to 35+ and see if your mileage improves. I'd start with the basics and work your way up to the codes and stuff. If you are not throwing any CEL or any obvious codes, it would be unlikely that this is due to a sensor error.

Just hit 34k, I have the Dunlops at 51 psi (I did that yesterday), going to check the plugs and filters this weekend. BTW, passenger side of the 4runner had 51 psi in both tires, the driver's side had like 30 in both tires, think that could have contributed?

 

[MoNkV6]

Just disconnect the negative cable for about a half hour, then reattach.

Don't forget that you'll need to initialize the driver's window, rear window, and sunroof. The radio will also likely lose its station settings.

How do I initialize the windows?

 

[boston_kevin]

Just hit 34k, I have the Dunlops at 51 psi (I did that yesterday), going to check the plugs and filters this weekend. BTW, passenger side of the 4runner had 51 psi in both tires, the driver's side had like 30 in both tires, think that could have contributed?

Yep. Although a big hit like that would not be due to 30 psi. Since your's is an '03 I don't think you have the air pressure sensors in the stems, so it wouldn't pick up on that.

 

[Offroader]

Like I wrote above, I've been driving...mostly city...

Well, that's the normal mpg for a V8 on city driving for low-speed, start and stop traffic.

To get a higher mpg in the city, you need to drive with a feather-light right foot.

Slow acceleration, and stepping off the gas ahead of time, if you know you have to stop. If you see a red light from a distance, don't continue accelerating.

Otherwise, you'll continue getting 11.9 mpg.

 

[MoNkV6]

Well, that's the normal mpg for a V8 on city driving for low-speed, start and stop traffic.

To get a higher mpg in the city, you need to drive with a feather-light right foot.

Slow acceleration, and stepping off the gas ahead of time, if you know you have to stop. If you see a red light from a distance, don't continue accelerating.

Otherwise, you'll continue getting 11.9 mpg.

I've read other V8 owners claiming to lead foot it in the city and still get 14 which is where my concern came from.

 

[jh26]

I've read other V8 owners claiming to lead foot it in the city and still get 14 which is where my concern came from.

Not everyone's "city" driving is the same. Your 12 mpg isn't out of line for stoplight driving. The guy getting 14 mpg probably has a bit more "free running" in his driving mix.

My current commute is to downtown Atlanta - city driving, right? I get 18mpg (calculated), because the biggest part is 50-60 mph steady moving traffic. Back when I had a surface street commute with my 2000 runner I only got 14mpg despite really driving easy. Stoplights simply kill mpg.

 

[toybox]

Just hit 34k, going to check the plugs and filters this weekend.

just to let you know the plugs in the V8 are good for 100k.

Search for the initialization of the windows and locks, it was just discussed within the past week.