A different kind of MPG thread...

[Martinjmpr]

I've only been hanging out on the 4th gen sub board for a couple of months, so I don't know how often MPG threads pop up, but over on the 3rd gen boards, OMG, we would get 2 or 3 a week. Almost always the same thing: "My MPG sucks! My low-fuel light is coming on at 210 miles! What can I do."

Well, I want to post a different kind of MPG thread. After just over a month of owning a 4th gen, I have to say I'm LOVING the MPG on my 4th gen! Seriously, for a vehicle this big and with this much power, I'm amazed at the MPG I've been getting.

And before anyone says it, no I'm not using the "MPG" that's displayed on the little "trip computer" on the dash. I know that's inaccurate! I hand calculate every tank (miles driven / gallons to fill up = MPG) and I also have a Scangauge II which I re-calibrate at every fill up.

I have a DD to drive to work (97 Mazda Protege) so my 4runner doesn't see a lot of street use, although occasionally I have used it to drive to work or to run errands on weekends.

On the highway, though, it's amazing. Wife and I drove from the Denver area to Durango (in the SW part of the state) a few weeks ago. This is a road that crosses 5 passes that are higher than 9500' (Kenosha, Red Hill, Trout Creek, Poncha and Wolf Creek) and my average MPG for that leg of the trip was 17.3. This was with us pulling a 1200 lb teardrop travel trailer. :wow:

Driving around Durango and Mesa Verde without the trailer average MPG was 20.5. And the trip back we got an astonishing 18.7, again while pulling the trailer up and down those 5 passes.

The other thing that is awesome is the much bigger fuel tank. I always hated the fact that my 3rd gen (99) not only got sub-par MPG (especially while pulling the trailer, which would sometimes drop my MPG into the 12 - 14 range) but the fact that with the puny 18.5 gallon tank, I could rarely get more than 300 miles from a tank. At this point I have now put more than 300 miles on a tank 3 times and twice I've exceeded 350 (most miles put on a single tank: 388!) It's such a great feeling knowing that I can figure on close to 400 miles for a tank, whereas with my 3rd gen I had to plan on 250 or less (it's almost enough to offset the heart-attack-inducing charges I see on my credit card when I pump 21 gallons of gas at $3.50+/gallon! :wow: )

Bottom line is, I'm loving the 4th gen! Bigger + more power + better MPG + bigger tank = fantastic road trip vehicle.

I'm only hoping that after I put a mild lift on it (most likely an OME spring/shock lift) it won't affect MPG too badly.

Anyway, lots of "rants" on these boards, I thought I'd put in a "rave" to try and balance things out!

BTW, here's my Fuelly badge showing my calculations for those who are interested:



The only reason it's at 18.2 now is that last weekend the wife and I went to Rocky Mountain National Park with the trailer. There were a lot of uphills (all the way up to 12,000' above sea level!) and not much flat terrain, so my average MPG was only 17. Next week we're going to Wyoming with the trailer so I'll bet my MPG will jump dramatically because of all the flat roads!

 

[foxtrot]

I do love the MPG I got on this last road trip. got over 22 MPG going from Oklahoma city to Colorado Springs. got over 400 miles to a tank. I was amazed lol

 

[JDSupreme]

All the local construction, traffic, and hills plus a constant running AC keeps me at 16MPG. I've yet to take it on a serious trip.

All towing I've done (1800lb boat) hasn't been much highway and drops my mpg to around 15 (with maybe 1/3 of tank towed)

 

[seanzorio]

I'm usually between 17 and 18mpg no matter how I drive.

 

[Martinjmpr]

All the local construction, traffic, and hills plus a constant running AC keeps me at 16MPG. I've yet to take it on a serious trip.

I would guess it's the hills more than the AC. I think the old AC-kills-your-MPG assumption is based on older (like 1970's) cars with less powerful engines and cruder, less efficient AC systems. I have only owned AC equipped vehicles since 1999 (99 Ford Ranger being my first one) and have never noticed any significant difference in MPG between running with AC and without it. :shrug:

 

[eli_lilly]

My 4.0L Cherokee, which I replaced with a V8 4runner, got 15.5 mpg. My 4.7L 4runner gets 17 to 19, so I'm happy.

-E

 

[JDSupreme]

I would guess it's the hills more than the AC. I think the old AC-kills-your-MPG assumption is based on older (like 1970's) cars with less powerful engines and cruder, less efficient AC systems. I have only owned AC equipped vehicles since 1999 (99 Ford Ranger being my first one) and have never noticed any significant difference in MPG between running with AC and without it. :shrug:

You're probably right. So this thread got me thinking. I have had my new tires for about a month, and decided to check the tire pressure today. 28-29psi all the way around. Took them up to 35 so i expect to see an improvement now. Tire max is 44psi

 

[Atlanta_man]

that just might loosen you teeth !

 

[TRDCal]

I can't say i'm "loving" the mpg because my last car was a Corolla but I too was pleasantly surprised on a recent trip to see my mpg at 19.77mpg (11.9L/100km) eventhough it was a pure highway tank I was cruising at 65mph-70mph with 3 pax plus luggage AND that includes the odd burst to teach some left lane hogging bas****s a lesson...if there's enough room for me to pass you on the inside, then move the **** over!

 

[boondoggle]

I went from driving a wrangler 4.0 to driving a VW GTI for about year (had a kid, got my wife a crossover and started driving the VW to work) so I got spoiled with 27MPG and about $90 a month in commuting fuel costs.

If I'd gone straight from the Jeep (15 mpg at best) to the 4 Runner I'd be happy. But I got spoiled in there.

Now I put about $55-$60 in the tank every 10 days at least. Sometimes weekly. BUT, I drive the T4R much more than the GTI. If we're going somewhere we almost always take the Toyota. I just don't care for her Ford Freestyle and its CVT that much.

I've been averaging about 16 mpg per tank.

My only real disappointment was on a trip to Missouri in June. Going 80mph through KS (speed limit) I was only getting 15mpg both ways. I was really looking forward to some of that 19mpg highway mileage. I think that only applies up to around 70 mph.

Can't complain for the quality/power of the truck. It's certainly a better 16 mpg than in the Jeep. And I just got new tires last week so I'm looking forward to seeing if that helps.

And I've been thinking about getting a super cheap sub $1000 beater for the commute but that can turn into a false economy (with repairs, maintenance, insurance etc.) real fast. Wouldn't hurt to keep the miles off the T4R tho...

Besides, I like driving the 4runner.

 

[BobbyZee]

I get between 17 and 18 no matter how I drive. I have Cornfed 3/2.

My last trip from Dallas to Houston it gave me almost 18mpg driving around 80 mph all the way. I have BFG Long Trail stock size though.

 

[noobshooter]

Most of my driving is in the city (90-95%). With a 4" lift, bigger tires, and around 100 lbs of gear I always have in my truck I don't get good gas milage. It's a good thing I own a gas station

I average 13.9 MPG a fuel up (based on fuelly data)

 

[CXS]

I don't give a rat's @ss what my mpg is and never check it. If I wanted good mpg's I buy an econocar. Now hijacking this to see a photo of your teardrop and hear what you think of it Martin!

 

[boondoggle]

Yeah let's see the trailer!

 

[Martinjmpr]

My only real disappointment was on a trip to Missouri in June. Going 80mph through KS (speed limit) I was only getting 15mpg both ways. I was really looking forward to some of that 19mpg highway mileage. I think that only applies up to around 70 mph.

Peak MPG is typically around 55 mph. Once you get above 65 it drops off sharply. For best MPG, stay between 55 and 65.

Also don't forget to correct for your tire size. If you run bigger than stock tires chances are your MPG is better than you think it is.

And I've been thinking about getting a super cheap sub $1000 beater for the commute but that can turn into a false economy (with repairs, maintenance, insurance etc.) real fast. Wouldn't hurt to keep the miles off the T4R tho...

That's exactly what I did when my office moved from downtown to the suburbs 18 months ago. Got a 97 Mazda Protege for $900. 4 cyl, 5 speed, and it does have AC. Nice thing about being in CO, the old cars aren't all rusted to hell like the ones in areas that use more salt (midwest, etc.)

So far I've had to put a new (well, used but newer) engine in my Mazda, to the tune of about $2400. Still, my total investment is less than $3500 (not counting routine maintenance, which I would have to do on any vehicle.) Not only does it result in fewer and cheaper fillups (my Mazda will go about 400 miles on a tank of 13 gallons) but it keeps me from putting too many miles on the 4runner and also saves wear on the tires - considering that tires for the 4runner are at least 2x the cost of tires for the Mazda, that's a good trade off!

Besides, I like driving the 4runner.

Well, there's that, too. And I do sometimes prefer the 4runner, especially on those really hot days where the AC in my little Mazda isn't really cutting it.

The separate DD arrangement doesn't work for everybody, but it works for me.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Now hijacking this to see a photo of your teardrop and hear what you think of it Martin!

Yeah let's see the trailer!

Here it is behind my old (99) 4runner, when we first got her in January:

It's actually pretty spacious inside. Here's my wife sitting inside:

We call the trailer "Bubbles" and my wife has gone a little crazy decorating! It's actually bigger than most commercial teardrops, which are usually built on a 4' wide frame. Ours was home built on a 5 x 8' utility frame so we have a full 5' width, which is nice (the sleeping area is actually bigger than our bed at home.)

 

[CXS]

Damn!

You're the guy that beat me to that one! One day later and I would have had it instead of you.

 

[xxaarraa]

Coming from a Tacoma with the same 4.0, the 4R gets much better MPG so I am very happy too.

On another note, OP, when I lived in Colorado, I too got much better MPG than I did at sea level, all else equal. Something about the less dense air causing the engine to run lean (with slightly reduced power obviously).

 

[Martinjmpr]

Damn!

You're the guy that beat me to that one! One day later and I would have had it instead of you.

The teardrop? Funny thing is, when we got it he'd had it advertised since late November (we got it the 3rd week of January.)

 

[CXS]

The teardrop? Funny thing is, when we got it he'd had it advertised since late November (we got it the 3rd week of January.)

Yep, that's the one! I was spending my time talking his price down and selling my popup since he had little interest. I was trying to find a day to run to Glenwood Springs and you went and bought it.