Fuel Mileage Question

[thirstyturtle]

Just bought a 2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 with 185k miles on it. It has a 3" lift front and back with P265/70-R17 Nitto Terra Grapplers. I'm currently driving it home from Indiana to North Carolina.

I've gone through one tank so far and averaged 14.8mpg. I've been going 70mph (speed limit) most of the way.

Is that reasonable? Or does it sound a bit low?

Thanks!

 

[JayRolla]

For highway thats kind of low. I average around 16-16.8 on the highway.

 

[thirstyturtle]

For highway thats kind of low. I average around 16-16.8 on the highway.

Going 70 though? Typically when I think "highway" I'm thinking more like 60mph...

 

[snivilous]

Depends. If I'm averaging like 60 I can get 17-18, if I'm doing 70-75 and it's constantly kicking out of overdrive I'll do 12-14. Though I'm also running a lot of extra weight. I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[02SE]

There's a significant difference in air density between In.- Nc., and high-altitude Co.

The increased air density at the lower elevations and the effect it has on MPG is really noticeable when driving a lifted SUV that has even worse aerodynamics than it already did when stock.

I've driven my 4Runner at sea level, and at altitudes over 10k feet. The difference in MPG is dramatic. High altitude achieving better MPG.

Also, at speeds higher than 60 MPH, my fuel economy starts dropping rapidly, due to the rapidly increasing aero drag.

Without going into a bunch of Bernoulli's equations explaining this, I'd say your MPG is pretty typical.

 

[JayRolla]

I run her around 65mph when on the highway, its just to much downshifting to keep her at 75-80.

 

[thirstyturtle]

Thanks all! The second tank has been mostly 60mph so I'll report the mileage on this tank when it's done.

Also, the ECT button is legit in these West Virginia mountains!

 

[thirstyturtle]

Averaged 18.4mpg on the second tank. Never went over 65mph and most of the time it was 55mph-60mph.

Yay!

 

[jgue467]

Pretty darn good

That's about the same as mine Without a 3" lift, which I want.... :doh:

 

[Offroad_Medic]

I'm running 265/75/16 with 4.30 gears and with highway driving 70-72 MPH on the freeway mixed with town driving I average 18.5-19 MPG without babying my throttle or anything.

 

[thirstyturtle]

I'm running 265/75/16 with 4.30 gears and with highway driving 70-72 MPH on the freeway mixed with town driving I average 18.5-19 MPG without babying my throttle or anything.

Dang! Well my new Runner certainly may need new plugs and wires and maybe a few other things to help with the fuel economy.

Forgive my ignorance but should the 4.3 gears help or hurt fuel efficiency? That sounds QUITE high like wow.

 

[BasinRunner]

Dang! Well my new Runner certainly may need new plugs and wires and maybe a few other things to help with the fuel economy.

Forgive my ignorance but should the 4.3 gears help or hurt fuel efficiency? That sounds QUITE high like wow.

I would be happier if they were geared lower, I'm at 2.5k doing 70 and it's a little sluggish off the line. My old pathfinder was geared lower and felt much quicker.

 

[Offroad_Medic]

The lower gearing helps you run bigger tires without bogging down your motor/trans. I feel like my combo of ~32" tires and 4.30 works well for my runner. Also lower gearing will help you immensely when offroad being able to get over obstacles.

I also have a modified intake and a full exhaust to help with airflow the small amount that it may help.

 

[thirstyturtle]

Averaged 20.8mpg on the last tank, so that's an average of 18mpg over the course of 800 miles. Awesome!

That far exceeded my expectations and blew away what my 4th gen V8 would've gotten.

 

[Robb235]

I just returned ~22mpg on my last tank. I don't remember exact numbers, but it took something like 15 gallons after driving approximately 330 miles. This tank of gas included several 20 to 30 mile trips on interstates to different parts of Atlanta.

 

[Nunyabiz]

I did a 7,770 mile trip last year and got an average of 19.8mpg while hauling 800# of crap in the cargo area.
Mileage varied drastically from area to area though, got over 21mpg in a couple places and down to 15mpg in others.

Around town in Raleigh NC I am lucky to get 13mpg with nothing in the cargo area.

 

[thirstyturtle]

I did a 7,770 mile trip last year and got an average of 19.8mpg while hauling 800# of crap in the cargo area.
Mileage varied drastically from area to area though, got over 21mpg in a couple places and down to 15mpg in others.

Around town in Raleigh NC I am lucky to get 13mpg with nothing in the cargo area.

That's epic! And frankly all of these numbers are much higher than I had anticipated.