Gas mileage issues... tried everything

The-chick

The-chick

New member
I have a 1996 4runner V6 Standard. It has 169k on it bought it with 84k. Well its getting bad mpg. It has a 2 inch suspension lift on it and I am running 265/75/16s on it. I was getting about 20-21 on the highway with the taller tires up until about september. Then its starting getting bad mpg. I have replaced the rear 02 senser ( front one was done a couple years ago). I have replaced the fuel filter, airfilter, cleaned the maf and new plugs and wires. I still getting bad mpg. My 4 runner runs excellent with no other issue other then the mpg. Any suggestions?? Thanks Shannon
 
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What are your mpgs now? Winter gas (the blend they use) always cuts ~1.5-3 mpgs off. Did you add a roof rack or anything? You say you were getting 20-21 mpg before, that's way better than average with a lift and tires. I get about 16 mpg combined, but my truck is very heavy. Are you using 4x4 a lot, maybe in the snow?
 
holy crap, 20 - 21!! If that's a problem I'd hate to know what to call it for me! I average 12-14 city and MAYBE 16 highway.
 
What brand o2 sensor did you put in the truck?
When was the last time the Timing Belt was done?
Hows the fan clutch? Does the fan sound like its engaged longer?

The guys are right though, 20-21 mpg is rare period.
how much did you loose?
Stock Toyota is EPA estimate ar 16 city 19 highway, which, when I first got my 4Runner in stock form was like that.
 
I just had this issue after performing a tune-up (plugs, filters, MAF, TB cleaning) and someone recommended reseting the computer. They suggested disconnecting the negative battery lead for a while (I did it overnight but that's not necessary), starting her up and hitting the highway right away.

I did this, and it seems to have solved the issue. I am only through a 1/2 tank but my MPG's are defintely up.

Good to try, easy and doesn't cost anything.
 
I just burned through a whole tank in 170 miles playing in the snow.

Try resetting the computer like mentioned. We have 4000 pound trucks, and gas hungry V6s. I've never gotten more than 240 miles on a tank in the summer babying it.
 
Yup. Our rigs are 3 ton slightly-aerodynamic tool boxes.
Mileage is an afterthought. Anything above 250 miles on a tank is doing pretty good.
Recently, I made a choice to keep my speed at around 60mph, which equals arounf 1800rpms for me.
I have been getting 290-310 miles from full to "get gas now!" light comes on.
Weight, driving habits, tire pressure - all need to be adressed.
 
NickF said:
I just burned through a whole tank in 170 miles playing in the snow.

Try resetting the computer like mentioned. We have 4000 pound trucks, and gas hungry V6s. I've never gotten more than 240 miles on a tank in the summer babying it.
Click to expand...

That's pretty craptastic mileage you're getting there. You should be able to get further than 240.

i know a lot of the V6 guys average 300 miles a tank.
 
ChildrenOfBodom said:
That's pretty craptastic mileage you're getting there. You should be able to get further than 240.

i know a lot of the V6 guys average 300 miles a tank.
Click to expand...

I get about 250 on an average tank of around-town-to-work-and-back driving. 300 is doable on a long highway drive at 65-70.

Here's my last 18 months:

407f1a7b.jpg~original
 
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ChildrenOfBodom said:
That's pretty craptastic mileage you're getting there. You should be able to get further than 240.

i know a lot of the V6 guys average 300 miles a tank.
Click to expand...

I don't really drive on the highway, and when I do I drive pretty hard.
I just did a tuneup myself so hopefully I'll start seeing better mileage. I tihnk I'm going to reset my own computer.
 
The-chick said:
Any suggestions?? Thanks Shannon
Click to expand...
Hi Shannon,

Why did you replace the O2 sensor? Was there a check engine light on? Did it have any codes set? Are any codes set now?
What spark plugs did you install, brand and part number?
Another thing to check is the tire pressure. Tires typically need a little more air in the colder winter months.
 
Terrain makes more of a difference on mpgs than anything else. The OP is in WY., so that could mean mountains or plains. I can get 18-19+ with my heavy, lifted 4runner on the open road, but in town I only get ~14 unless I drive really slow. Too many steep hills to climb and that sucks gas fast.
 
BTO said:
Hi Shannon,

Why did you replace the O2 sensor? Was there a check engine light on? Did it have any codes set? Are any codes set now?
What spark plugs did you install, brand and part number?
Another thing to check is the tire pressure. Tires typically need a little more air in the colder winter months.
Click to expand...

Tire pressure is good. I replaced the 02 with the stock toyota 02 senser. I had a check engine light come up, so scanned it was bad O2 second one back. I do alot of highway driving. I just put it in 4wd this morning for the 1st time this winter and as always it does get a bit worse mpg. We just had alot of snow dumped on us. I live more the plains so I don't do alot of mountain driving. When I lived up in the more mountainous area I was still getting 20-21. I'm only averaging about 17.5 to 18 mpg at the moment. Which from reading the other post isn't bad. But alot less then I normaly get. Last timing belt change and water pump was done about 90-100k So its about due for it.
Shan
 
Gas mileage issue

We have a 2004 sport edition, 6 cyl., 2 wheel drive. (bought it used January 2010) My husband put a K & N air filter on it, new plugs, oil change, and cleaned the mass flow air sensor. We were told by a Toyota guy that the mass flow air sensor can make a huge difference in mileage. Last May, when we drove it to Canada, we were getting 23-24 mpg. We were thrilled. Well, now, we are getting 18 mpg. WTH!! We have a 2006 sport edition, 6 cyl. 4 wheel drive, and that gets 22mpg. Supposedly, the 4 wheel drive gets less mpg, so we don't get it. My husband was wondering if changing the fuel filter will make a difference. Any suggestions? We aren't towing anything; I just drive the 04 to work. We are using CA gas, which I know they put all kinds of crap in it; probably ethanol, which ruins mileage.
 
CanukRunner said:
I get 425 kilometers per tank Hwy and 196 kilometers per tank.. stupidity.
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what using the metric system ?:hatsoff:

i used to get the 300 mi a tnk before i did tires and lift now i think i get around 250-200 a tank haha nature of the beast, still better then my jeep which was getting 10-12 mpg's after i was done with it, the live counter thing would even show 0 mpg's when i would floor it, so i was technically spending $3.40 to go less then a mile, hahaa, so to say the least i'm happy with the runner, still going to swap fuel filters and try do the maintenance stuff to bring my mpg's up as much as possible.
 
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