'94 Gas mileage / gauge question

[Rosco]

Hey all, I'm a proud new 94-4Runner owner, and new to the forums here.

I guess the basics should be first. Just bought a used 94-4Runner SR5 2WD 3L V6, fully loaded, runs great, had it in for a tuneup etc, and all systems are a go.

I took it on a campout this weekend, where 99% of my miles were highway miles. at 240 miles I was right on "E" With the standard 17 gallon tank, this had me real confused. Because that is beyond bad gase mileage for these SUV's

My 4Runner is rated at 21mpg on the highway, so that would be about 350 miles.

so I guess my question is, are these the type of vehicles that when it's on 'E' I can still go another 100 miles or so? Or am I stuck with a 250 mile range on 17 gallons of gas?

thanks in advance

 

[peter78]

You need to fill up and see if your gauge or gas mileage is lousy. My feeling, it is a little bit of both. The second generation 4Runners is known for being a little thirsty. The gauge may also be off.

I have heard where some people get 14 mpg in their 2nd generation 4Runners.

Look at this link: It seems some of the 3.0 V6 4Runners get the worse mileage. They last forever though.

http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?threadid=8791&highlight=gas+mileage

 

[Rosco]

thanks, that is my plan, I got it down to E from from a full tank after 240 highway miles. the only reason I didn't fill up where I was is because the gas price was way up there. I just put in enough to get me home.

I'll be on E within a few days again. I love this 4runner, but I will be pretty disappointed if I fill up on empty and see almost 17 gallons go in there.

it's my hope that the gauge is just not that accurate and that I can still drive for quite a while when it appears the tank is empty.

I can live with 14-15mpg average in the city, but if that's my mileage on the highway then I may think of switching to a 96 4runner down the road.

thanks for you help

 

[peter78]

Here is a question and answer from another forum:

The mileage of my 3.0L V6 really bad, is this normal?
Yes it is. I get around 17 mpg freeway and about 12mpg city (maybe less). My mileage is actually considered normal for a V6 auto transmission. During freeway driving I can get about 250 miles per tank while I've heard of people getting about 200 miles per tank. Both are normal, it all depends on your tranny type, your style of driving, and most importantly your gearing.


http://www.yotatech.com/~corey/4runner_faq.htm



(Let us know if it is your gauge or your mileage.)

 

[Rosco]

Thanks...

in a way I'm both happy and bumbed to have seen that. Though I mostly hope that my gauge is a little bit off.

I'm not greedy, I don't expect much more, I'd just be that much happier knowing I could get at least 300 on a tank from highway driving.

I'm lucky my work is only 6 miles from home.

I got this 4runner in a bit of a rush, since someone totalled my old car. I had to find something pretty quick and loved the 4Runners I test drove. After testing the one that I bought I knew I had to have it, and after a quick check on

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

I was happy with what I saw regarding it's mileage.

I still would like to have a '96, but I'm in no rush to get rid of this one.

I'll proudly post a pic shortly

thanks again for all your quick help