Explain to me how towing in 4WD yields BETTER gas mileage than 2WD?
- Thread starter itsdchz
- Start date
Gulfstreamblue
New member
I see that you are in California and Tahoe, but could you please describe why you are using 4WD on the highway when towing your trailer? Is there snow or ice on the roads.
I live in Florida and other than pulling a boat out of a very slippery ramp, don't understand why you would be towing in 4WD for long distances. We don't have hills here.
I live in Florida and other than pulling a boat out of a very slippery ramp, don't understand why you would be towing in 4WD for long distances. We don't have hills here.
2014 Warthog
New member
I know that 50mph or so is the max for switching into or out of 4hi to 2hi. But I don't believe it is the max recommended speed as long as you stay in 4hi.
I've accidentally left myself in 4hi for a return trip from the desert at 75 mph on the freeway and couldn't even tell. Wasn't till I was 95% home that I noticed the 4wd light on
itsdchz
New member
Heavy, heavy rain, winding roads, snow and ice in higher elevations... All stated in a few posts back.
itsdchz
New member
ScanGauge II. Verified (relatively) same throttle, speed, same RPMs, same gear. I could also understand the uphill downhill argument, but that would be only a small segment, and not enough to change MPG that much in relation to the entire trip.
I also had heavy wind, head and cross, coming back, which is when I gained better mileage.
I know it is very puzzling and doesn't seem right, but this is the 3rd or 4th time I have noticed better MPG's in 4WD highway driving towing the trailer in adverse conditions.
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I know that 50mph or so is the max for switching into or out of 4hi to 2hi. But I don't believe it is the max recommended speed as long as you stay in 4hi.
I've accidentally left myself in 4hi for a return trip from the desert at 75 mph on the freeway and couldn't even tell. Wasn't till I was 95% home that I noticed the 4wd light on
Sweet. Good to know. Thanks.
itsdchz
New member
I understand this. The segment of the trip that is in question was relatively the same uphill and downhill slopes to and from, and again, very minor differences, but not long enough, or steep enough, to skew the entire average 3 MPG..
I REALLY wish I could give a definite variable that changes the entire average, but really the only prevailing variable is 2WD vs. 4WD, as conditions were worse on the 4WD segment.
e60ral
Banned
No, 2WD vs 4WD is not the only variable
All those other things that we are talking about are variables, they are combining to cause the difference you are seeing. You can not exclude those variables, the grade being opposite is not negligible and the other things aren't either especially when you combine them all.
(although my money is still on that difference not being real)
All those other things that we are talking about are variables, they are combining to cause the difference you are seeing. You can not exclude those variables, the grade being opposite is not negligible and the other things aren't either especially when you combine them all.
(although my money is still on that difference not being real)
itsdchz
New member
I guess I just fail to agree and see that a 3 MPG difference for the entire trip in 4WD, changed so drastically in the short time the 2WD was engaged on the ride back, especially on flat highway speeds. We can go back and forth for days as to why vs why not. Simply stated, I have experienced this on more than one occasion and for the life of me cannot understand how this phenomenon has happened. I must have a really special 4Runner
ray2:
Land_Shark
New member
Are you saying you drove 2WD there, then switched to 4WD for the return trip?
I run an out and back trip of about 75 miles one way, so it's about 140 miles round trip. I ALWAYS get better fuel economy on the return leg. Why? Because of the net elevation gain/loss. Though it seems like nothing, the gain and then loss of elevation means something in fuel economy.
It's about a 400 foot difference btw....
That, or I'm crazy.
itsdchz
New member
My fuel tank noticed it getting about 193 miles until I needed a fill up in 2WD vs 263 miles in 4WD...... Like I said, I must be really CRAZY, and have a very unique 4Runner.. Who knows, maybe its the lift, oversized tires and added weight that is making it GAIN mileage..:help:
OH and BTW... Last month I traveled 1951 miles in 56 hours to and from NM. On way there I was averaging 13.9 MPG with no 2000lb trailer. On way back I had a 2000LB trailer connected the whole way AND I drove just as fast with the trailer as I did w/o, with the exception of in CA, as they have the trailers drive 55 law. and I averaged 13.5 MPG on way back. Only a .4 MPG drop with a 2000lb trailer, and ALL 2WD.....
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itsdchz
New member
93ft start
564ft end
in between are very close to equal grades of elevation gain/drop
My bad as well. I thought it was 120 miles, but after looking at logs, it was 193 miles..
Yukon4Runner
New member
Sub-space gravitational waves in the time-space continuum, DARPA extreme long frequency electromagnetic wave testing or genetically modified anthophila interference
*firmly snaps up the chin strap on his tinfoil hat*
*firmly snaps up the chin strap on his tinfoil hat*
itsdchz
New member
Finally, a logical response!
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