Awful MPG on a new 5th Gen

[philsey]

what tires did you have on the 2010 and what tires do you currently have? I bet that plays a role as well.

2010: OEMs, then Continentals, then Michelins. Always P265-70-17. Mileage was always the same throughout.

2018: Running OEM Dunlops. I'd hate to think they're responsible. (yes, they're at 32 psi). I'd like to think in time this will improve. Still new, but my 2010 NEVER had mpg this poor, even new.

 

[flatspin]

On my '14 LE, I run about 15.5 MPG but have a lift ad 275/70/17 BFG E's.

What I've noticed though is around Austin, it's 0 to 60 mph back to 0 at the next light. Kills the mpg. That and the ethanol in the gas. On my last 4Runner (2003), I went from averaging 16 mpg to 14 mpg (on the display which I know was off) when I moved from Okc which has a lot of real gas stations to Austin with has none.

On the highway, anything over 70 mph and the average starts going down too. Throw in some hills and it's way down. These things are aerodynamic bricks.

 

[DavidR1]

Hey guys, does anyone else have bad gas mileage on a brand new 5th gen? I picked up my '17 SR5 limited about 3 months ago and have been averaging less than 13 mpg combined after 3,000 miles.

Do you have an SR5 or Limited? The Limited has AWD so will decrease MPG a bit usually.

Also, since it is winter in Boston I'm sure you have "winter gas". This leads to slightly lower MPG.

And, since you warm the car for 10 minutes before heading out this will further decrease your MPG. Looks like you have several things that will lead to a lower MPG than advertised.

 

[jumbopain]

Bone stock 2016 SR5-P 4WD. Using only Shell fuel.

When I lived in the city with only city driving I averaged 13-14mpg

I still live in the city but my commute is 70% city streets/30% highway. I get 15-16 mpg

The best gas mileage I ever got (during all highway trips and 60 mph) I think was around 21+. Like others said, 65mph +, mpg starts going down

I have a pretty heavy right foot

 

[MasonCO]

here's a post I did almost 2 years and 25k miles ago. I now have new stock sized AT tires on, and we still get between 17 and 18 MPG going UPHILL on the way to our weekend place, with an overall 4,300 foot elevation gain.

Average speed is somewhere around 60MPH, so I think that is a positive factor for getting decent MPG...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2329702-post452.html

 

[c10bonanza]

I’m having similar issues. ‘17 SR5P bone stock. 11k miles. When I first got it I averaged 18-19 mixed driving. Now I can’t do any better than 16.5 mixed driving. I haven’t changed anything and buy fuel at the same Top Tier gas station.

I just drove 600 miles round trip 100% highway at 70mph and averaged 15.0 mpg. I can’t baby this thing any more than the way I drive it now.

I love my 4Runner but that is ridiculous.

Any thoughts before I take it back to the dealer’s service department? When I was there for my 10k service they were very dismissive.

 

[mauthe]

We have a remote start, use it most days in the winter. We were down to 13.1 mpg when it was -40 Celsius. The block heater makes a world of difference, a couple night it wasn’t plugged in and it was noticeable on mpg when it was cold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Toffees]

I have to disagree. If you reset it when you fill up it's pretty accurate. For the sake of testing I reset it as well as calculated my MPG for a few tanks and it was usually spot on or within .1 MPG.

To the OP, 13mpg doesn't sound right, even with city driving. The only time I get less than that is while towing, and that's usually around 12.5-13. Do you drive with a lead foot? That could be a contributing factor.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but my readout never changes, even if I reset it. Or I have very consistent/predictable driving habits.

Idling is a major issue--AAA estimates 1/4g every 15 minutes---if you have a 25 mile drive at 18mpg you use 1.4g, but if you add 15 minutes idle (or 1/4 tank of idling) it drops to 15.25mpg. And if you're an aggressive driver getting 16mpg and add 15 minutes idling, you're just under 14mpg.

To me there's only two real consumption rates: what you get on trips, and your effective rate (when you add in traffic, fuel mix, idling to warm, idling to keep ac/heat on for kids, etc).

And I'd really be surprised if two 4Rs in the same configuration got substantially different fuel economies--fuel economy differences are almost exclusively driving habits and the rest are load/weight.

 

[spottedraccoon]

I have to disagree. If you reset it when you fill up it's pretty accurate. For the sake of testing I reset it as well as calculated my MPG for a few tanks and it was usually spot on or within .1 MPG.

To the OP, 13mpg doesn't sound right, even with city driving. The only time I get less than that is while towing, and that's usually around 12.5-13. Do you drive with a lead foot? That could be a contributing factor.

I have been much more conservative since I realized how much gas this truck has been able to consume. Even on longer road trips, I have really been only able to average 16-17 while using cruise control at 70.

 

[sr5owner?]

Had mine almost a month and the first week the temps here were in the 60's and I'm averaging 20mpg 50/50 mix driving.
Unhooked the battery to hook up my sub 2 weeks ago and the temps are now freezing I'm getting 18.9mpg.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Hadelson]

3rd T4R: 4th and two 5th Gens-mileage comparable. Comparable is noticeable MPG drop on winter blend fuel at approximately 1.5-2MPG. Also drive time --- remember, takes longer to warm up colder temps affect fuel MPG.

To me, it comes down to research from reliable sources outside the Car manufacturer. Sales will stre...............tch the truth to close the deal and the EPA ratings are useless. IMO

 

[ddT4Rdd]

2017 TRD ORP w/ Wildpeaks stock size. 20.7 mpg last weekend to the Sierras and back.

 

[ADK Explorer]

I've found fuel grade does make a difference. I've read articles saying octane levels only matter in regards to engine knock but not performance. But I have also read that the knock sensors are so sensitive they pick up knocking that we cannot and advance or retard ignition as needed. I did a test changing fuel grades and felt a difference. I've always used Sunoco Ultra but filled up a couple of tanks with their Regular grade. There was a noticeable loss of pick up and responsiveness (pep) and a decrease in mileage. I then filled a tank with the Premium and performance improved but it was not as peppy as with the Ultra. When I went back to the Ultra the pep returned and my milage went up. Of course this is purely anecdotal.

Over the summer my last fill from empty, that I paid attention to, registered 335 miles range. I really don't pay much attention to the milage anymore because I offroad frequently and airing down and slipping into 4 wheel kills milage period. lol. I am a fairly conservative driver and am relatively stock. Around town I average roughly 15 mpg. If you are only getting 12 -13 you might want to have it checked out. Then wait for warmer weather and post break in to see where you're at.

What guts me is the price at the pump. But that's another thread.

 

[blanchard7684]

Is the oil the proper viscosity grade?

 

[John in NC]

I would be really bummed with low MPG unless I had larger tires/ lift/ big roof rack etc.

Mine is a stock 2011 SR5 4x4 wtih 96,000 miles, no roof cross bars. Full synthetic engine oil. I drive easy and relaxed mostly, no lead foot.

I get around 18.5 city and 21.5 highway, seemingly regardless of season.
Got right under 22 mpg recently on a winter highway 6 hour trip with 2 adults 2 kids and loaded with luggage/ Xmas gifts. Dips to about 21.5 when I get much above 70 mph on the highway. Get closer to 80 mph and dips to 21.
Currently my MPG readout has been hovering in the low 19's and been that way for a month, 90% city driving, Winter.
I feel pretty lucky compared to what I'm seeing from others.

MPG computer about the same as hand calculating for me.

 

[Jerbear006]

To the OP - just out of curiosity what is the air pressure at on your tires?
Not too long ago my MPGs dropped to 17.2 or less. I check the PSI on the tires which were at 30 psi after 10 miles of driving. I went ahead and air them up to 36 PSI and since then mileage has increased and been steady around 18.6 MPGs.

 

[JNorth]

Hey guys, does anyone else have bad gas mileage on a brand new 5th gen? I picked up my '17 SR5 PREMIUM (sorry, not limited) about 3 months ago and have been averaging less than 13 mpg combined after 3,000 miles. I live in the city but my commute is about 25 highway miles daily. The think is just absolutely sucking down gas.No mods or anything.

Anyone else have similar issues/advice?

I just bought a 2018 SR5 Premium and I have 230 miles on it. I am doing a 160 mile trip this evening heading up north (more northern MN). 30 miles will be city and traffic once out of that it should be about 70 miles cruising at 65+ and the final 60 will be 55+ plus roads. This vehicle isn't broken in obviously but I am going to see what type of read out I get for this frequent trip I make. I can report back.

 

[tm965]

I’m having similar issues. ‘17 SR5P bone stock. 11k miles. When I first got it I averaged 18-19 mixed driving. Now I can’t do any better than 16.5 mixed driving. I haven’t changed anything and buy fuel at the same Top Tier gas station.

I just drove 600 miles round trip 100% highway at 70mph and averaged 15.0 mpg. I can’t baby this thing any more than the way I drive it now.

I love my 4Runner but that is ridiculous.

Any thoughts before I take it back to the dealer’s service department? When I was there for my 10k service they were very dismissive.

winter gas?

 

[TexasChick]

I'm sitting at 14.5mpg, but mines still fairly new with less than 1,400 miles on it so I'm hoping it will get better as I break it in.

 

[1jzgte]

To the OP - just out of curiosity what is the air pressure at on your tires?
Not too long ago my MPGs dropped to 17.2 or less. I check the PSI on the tires which were at 30 psi after 10 miles of driving. I went ahead and air them up to 36 PSI and since then mileage has increased and been steady around 18.6 MPGs.

that reminds me.. if you haven't checked air pressure since the beginning of winter it will definitely be 5-10 psi lower because of colder weather.