gas mileage go-to fixes

M

mendozer

Member
I just noticed that I filled up 16.5 gallons. My odo measured 222 miles in that time. That's 13.45 mpg. I know my spark plugs are good. My air filter's good. I don't gun it when I drive and I go maybe 10 miles to/fro work daily on some hills, but mainly flat driving, no freeway.

What other things can I check which might be affecting my poor mileage? I was thinking MAF sensor next. Also, no ECU codes.

2002 with 126000 miles
 
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Are you running synthetic oil? I was in the same boat as you before I switched to synthetic oil. I now get upwards of 240+ from one tank.
 
I just bought the car used last month. I've yet to do oil change yet so I don't know what's in there, but it ain't that dirty yet. But yes I run valvoline max life. Although I have about 7-8 quarts of Chevron Supreme leftover from the wife's car oil changes (just changed hers to Max life). SOOO...I might use up Chevron first then go synthetic.
 
Look into motorvac service which supposedly helps make mpg gains... I just got a 00 T4R LTD and filled up when I was bringing it home, the fuel light just came on and I see 286 miles on odometer... Granted most of that was highway driving... What size tires, lift, etc...
 
Check out the 3rd gen buyers guide. Tons of great info in there about priority maintenance you should knock out after taking ownership. Plenty of things in there that will help improve mpgs.....new spark plugs and wires, cleaning the maf and throttle body, and the IAC.
 
I'm in the same boat. The truck runs great...smooth, responsive, etc.. I plan to switch to synthetic oil after my Power Foam treatment. Hopefully that will help a bit.
 
mendozer said:
I just noticed that I filled up 16.5 gallons. My odo measured 222 miles in that time. That's 13.45 mpg. I know my spark plugs are good. My air filter's good. I don't gun it when I drive and I go maybe 10 miles to/fro work daily on some hills, but mainly flat driving, no freeway.

What other things can I check which might be affecting my poor mileage? I was thinking MAF sensor next. Also, no ECU codes.

2002 with 126000 miles
Click to expand...

-Run a can of BG 44k in your gas tank.
-Replace A/F sensor pre cat (Denso).
-Replace O2 sensor post cat (Denso).
-Clean MAF with MAF only cleaner.
-Reset ECU by undoing negative battery terminal.
 
when I got mine, it was a city car...so all its driving was in the city of Portland.

Now its a country car, very little stop and go driving.
One thing that really helped was pulling the battery cable and resetting the ecu. It then seemed to take about a tank of gas before I started to notice it was getting better mpg
 
I did the ecu reset (without knowing it) when I pulled my steering wheel off since I disconnected my battery. Ill look into the two catalytic sensors. I was also leaning towards new oem pcv valve. Altho looking at pics it looks like a silly little tube piece so idk
 
change the fluids & oils in the transmission, transaxle, differentials, and lube the zerks in the driveshafts. A lot of resistance through all of those.

Air in the tires, no extra weight in the car, anticipate stopping, and foot off the gas.

I have a 2000 with 104,000 miles
 
i've been running synthetic since i bought mine and did all the maintenance on it and still getting a little over 15 city.
 
Ive done it all since owning and I get 14-15mpg city. 17-19 highway. These trucks hate city driving I have found out. Also keeping the ETC off in city seems to help.
 
I park mine in the garage and drive the honda when I want gas mileage. Ive recently did a tuneup, o2 sensor clean maf, all fluid change. My gas mileage dropped after that no idea why. Now that its lifted with a platform in the back I dont even worry about it.
What works for other people might not work for you just maintain it and enjoy your 4runner.
 
Last edited:
JayRolla said:
Ive done it all since owning and I get 14-15mpg city. 17-19 highway. These trucks hate city driving I have found out. Also keeping the ETC off in city seems to help.
Click to expand...

They hate anything over 65-70 too. I got 18.9 MPG on my last trip, averaged 65 MPH according to the scangauge over 250 miles on the way back. Nothing over 70 all the way. On the way there I got 15.8 running about 80 ish in heavy interstate traffic.
 
I get 12.5 - 13 MPG in the city with 91 and 93 octane. this is with my worn out tires.
Yet to check the MPG with the new tires at 30 PSI all around.
I removed the tow hitch (~ 20 kg's) to make it lighter. Hoping for the best.

This is not really bad if you compare the gas mileage of a 95 camry (4 cylider). Those usually do about 18 MPG in the city.
 
Dirty air filter will take miles off. Same with a dirty fuel filter. Also make sure your vacuum hoses are in good shape with no cracks and run a bottle of fuel injection cleaner through.
 
Unner said:
They hate anything over 65-70 too. I got 18.9 MPG on my last trip, averaged 65 MPH according to the scangauge over 250 miles on the way back. Nothing over 70 all the way. On the way there I got 15.8 running about 80 ish in heavy interstate traffic.
Click to expand...

Yes very true. To get that 18mpg I did 60-65 entire way last week. I take side highways instead of interstate when I can.
 
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