Concerned something might be wrong...

[sbbamafan]

My '06 now has about 1800 miles on it. Granted I have not run many tanks of gas through it, my mileage has been averaging 16-17 while really driving it pretty easy. This is hand calculated (computer says 18.0+). I know it should get better as it breaks in but how long should it take. I honestly don't know that I would have replaced my old truck for such a small increase. I have friends with T4R and they have never gotten mileage this bad and one of them drives pretty hard.

One other thing I noticed a week or so ago; especially when cold, it makes a sort of ticking noise that reminds me of a sound my old,old blazer made when the exhaust manifold gasket was leaking. Could this be the problem? Could this affect the mileage? I don't really hear it once it warms up.

 

[toto]

Every one of the 4 Toyota V6's I've owned has made a ticking noise that sounds like lifters or injectors; it's perfectly normal. Haven't had the V8 long enough to think about it, but it probably does the same thing. (Now I'll have to listen for it!)

The V6 is rated 18/22 for 2WD and 17/21 for 4WD. The V8 is 17/20 and 16/19.

Unless you're doing a lot of highway driving, your mileage is pretty typical given the EPA ratings. (EPA testing is actually a pretty ideal scenario, and too optimistic for reality.) I doubt there's anything wrong with the truck.

 

[sharp4runr]

I think you're friends may be over hyping their gas mileages :

See my sig for my calculated gas mileage. I commute through DC Metro traffic so it isn't great, but it's what I have to deal with. Your gas mileage sounds typical to me. V6/V8?

 

[scott78945]

I had a 2003 V6 and it had the ticking in it. It drove me NUTS though and I traded it in for a V8 and my V8 does not have the ticking in it. I couldn't be happier as I love the extra pickup too. Best decision I ever did. They also gave me $5000 more than I owed on it so how could I pass it up without putting any money down to begin with.

 

[>MR2turbo4evr<]

The gas milage on our 4Runner was pretty bad when we got it too. I improved after a couple thousand miles. I think its normal for a brand new engine to use a little more gas. Ours has the V8 and i've never heard any sort of ticking noises. In fact its one of the quietest engines I've ever heard (once its warmed up of course and the rpmps have dropped).

 

[tkr128]

I don't think anything is wrong. Depending on your driving situation (city vs. highway, stop and go and a number of other factors) your mileage will vary. My V6 dips down to 15mpg with all city driving on the crowded streets of LA. Take it on the highway and I can manage 24-25mpg. My charts show a definate increase in mileage around the 20k mile mark, but I doubt it takes that long for it to really break in.

The ticking noise is normal if you have the V6, it's really noticeable on the new 4.0L's. Tacoma owners with the 4.0 also have the ticking noise.

 

[Falls]

I think your having pretty normal milage.

Did you see the window sticker EPA rating's ?

Also what do you have v6 or v8 , 4x4 or 2wd ?

These truck's or
any type of truck for that matter it does not get much better.

My 06 4x4 v8 Sport get 16-17 mpg with strictly city driving,winter blend fuel,and 265/70/17 Revos on it. I also have not accounted for the increase in tire size (actually showing less milage than I actually traveled ) since I cant figure out how much of a percentage to add to be acurate. I personally am thrilled to death with my milage. I have about 3k miles on it.

Give it more time to loosen up a little .

 

[khaug]

Our '03 continued to show improvement in fuel mileage until almost 10K miles, although the amount wasn't dramatic.

Look at it this way: You're driving a 2+ ton vehicle with the aerodynamics of an open parachute. 16 - 17 isn't bad for mostly around town, IMHO.

Regards.

 

[CVsGX470]

My '06 now has about 1800 miles on it. Granted I have not run many tanks of gas through it, my mileage has been averaging 16-17 while really driving it pretty easy. This is hand calculated (computer says 18.0+). I know it should get better as it breaks in but how long should it take. I honestly don't know that I would have replaced my old truck for such a small increase. I have friends with T4R and they have never gotten mileage this bad and one of them drives pretty hard.

One other thing I noticed a week or so ago; especially when cold, it makes a sort of ticking noise that reminds me of a sound my old,old blazer made when the exhaust manifold gasket was leaking. Could this be the problem? Could this affect the mileage? I don't really hear it once it warms up.

Let me guess. You have a V6? That ticking noise drove me nutts. However, you should be getting better than 18 mpg even if you are driving in town. I used to get at least 20 in town. Are you driving in H4 alot. Hard starts?

 

[Koz]

You are going find that most people will fudge their gas mileage to make themselves feel better, especially truck owners. The fact is, the 4Runner is average to good as far as gas mileage. My 98 Taco PreRunner (2wd) gets the same mileage as my 4Runner.

What I would suggest is maintain high tire pressure (I run 40psi), change all the fluids to pure synthetics (2-diffs, transfer case, and engine oil), use cruise control on hwy, and try to stay out of the throttle (VERY hard for me). I have gotten 20mpg with the V8, on a all highway trip, with no stopping, and traveling at 60mph for a whole tank of gas.

Koz

 

[Bluto]

I don't know if GA has it, but oxygenated gas does not help MPG.

I think Maryland has it October-April.

 

[Falls]

I agree with Koz about people bs'n about milage. weather it be a V6 owner or a V8 owner. Like I said I'm thrilled with my milage 16-17 city,I think its awsome for a full time 4x4 V8,this is one of the highest gas milage vehicles I've ever owned....lol. If I drive it hard it dies not seem to hurt much more than when I drive conservative it maybe drop's into the 15 range but that's about it,still about 3-4 mpg than last truck sooooo.....it's cool. Beside's my company pay's for all my fuel expenses so I really don't have a reason to fudge since I don't pay for it anyway.

I love this truck so much and am thrilled I got the V8 and as long as the milage is reasonable for a truck/4x4/SUV it's all good with me.

Are you going off of what the dash info center reads ? I'm not sure how accurate that is . I check it the old fashioned way with miles traveled and gallons put in the truck. My dash info read for range about 320-340 when I filled up after I first got it, then it dropped down to 280-290 range and everyone was piping in about how glad they were that they bought the v6 ect.... well thank's to Koz's knowledge he told me not to keep resetting the info center all the time and sure chit I just leave it alone and after a fill up it's back to the range it was at before .

 

[biglatka]

What I would suggest is maintain high tire pressure (I run 40psi), change all the fluids to pure synthetics (2-diffs, transfer case, and engine oil), use cruise control on hwy, and try to stay out of the throttle (VERY hard for me). I have gotten 20mpg with the V8, on a all highway trip, with no stopping, and traveling at 60mph for a whole tank of gas.

Koz

My experience exactly!

 

[M3_962]

seems normal...on my first tank I got a little over 16MPG. That was a lot of city driving, though

 

[sbbamafan]

Just to clarify, mine is V6 and 2WD. It seems my mileage is more consistant with those of you that have V8 4X4. That is why I have my gripe.

 

[Falls]

Just to clarify, mine is V6 and 2WD. It seems my mileage is more consistant with those of you that have V8 4X4. That is why I have my gripe.

That should make a diff. having a v6 2wd.....give it a little time to break in and see what happen's. I know other 2wd'er are getting pretty decent milage.

 

[toto]

You guys are right - no ticking on the V8! It's a miracle! :clap:

 

[T4RMatt]

According to the boys over on the Tacoma boards, the ticking in the 4.0L basically disappears when you use the combo of mobil 1 oil and a mobil 1 filter. I went this route this time around and sure enough, I cant really hear my motor ticking anymore, even when driving uphill next to a retaining wall. Give it a try or do a little research over on tundra solutions.

 

[TheBlueWave]

According to the boys over on the Tacoma boards, the ticking in the 4.0L basically disappears when you use the combo of mobil 1 oil and a mobil 1 filter. I went this route this time around and sure enough, I cant really hear my motor ticking anymore, even when driving uphill next to a retaining wall. Give it a try or do a little research over on tundra solutions.

My dealer said to only buy Toyota oil filters (of course) because they have a check valve that keeps oil "up" in the engine to lubricate the heads immediately on cold starts. Does the mobil 1 filter have this feature? Does the check valve really make a difference?:beer:

'05 SR5 V6 4x4
30k miles

 

[TheBlueWave]

According to the boys over on the Tacoma boards, the ticking in the 4.0L basically disappears when you use the combo of mobil 1 oil and a mobil 1 filter. I went this route this time around and sure enough, I cant really hear my motor ticking anymore, even when driving uphill next to a retaining wall. Give it a try or do a little research over on tundra solutions.

My dealer said to only buy Toyota oil filters (of course) becuase they have a check valve that keeps oil "up" in the engine to lubricate the heads immediately on cold starts. Does the mobil 1 filter have this feature? Does the check valve really make a difference?:beer: