Gas mileage question

[4RUNN!N]

When the gas light starts to go on, I go to the pump to fill up and it only takes 14.5 gallons. Does the tank really reserve that much gas? My dads Lexus LX470 gas light goes on when theres only about 2 gallons left. Also, when I fill up, I calculated the average mpg, I got around 15-16 mpg on average with mostly highway driving. Does that sound about right? I do drive at around 70-80 mph on the freeway.

 

[Techenigma]

Not sure on the 97 but my 2005 has about a 2 gallon reserve. I can run that thing for a good 40 miles after the light comes on and it still only takes 21 gallons to fill it up. Thats on a 23 gallon tank.

 

[mikes4runner]

I got around 15-16 mpg on average with mostly highway driving. Does that sound about right? I do drive at around 70-80 mph on the freeway.

IIRC the 3.4L should get better MPG then 15-16,

Hell my 3.0Lslow gets better MPG, maybe time for a tune up?


Mike

 

[lee]

Re: Re: Gas mileage question

IIRC the 3.4L should get better MPG then 15-16,

Hell my 3.0Lslow gets better MPG, maybe time for a tune up?


Mike

well that really depends... if he's driving 70-80, its all about inclines, if he's flooring it to maintain speed here and there, whether he's exceeding 80 and hitting nearer to 90... etc.

highway mileage is high if you set the cruise to 65 and have flat terrain....

i typically go 85 on the highways here, and my mileage is around 16.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

3.4 MPGs vary upon how it's driven and hard driving really kills gas mileage. My mom regularly sees over 17mpg in her '99 and I borrowed it for two weeks and I reduced her mileage over 30 miles a tankful which is almost 2mpg less than she sees.

 

[funk_drum]

I get about 17-18 if I'm easy on it. If I drive it hard, then more like 15-16.

 

[mharris]

I have a 97 Limited with a complete tune-up and I get 22-23 on the interstate going 5mph or so over, and in the city doing stop and go driving it is 19-20.

 

[mikes4runner]

I have a 97 Limited with a complete tune-up and I get 22-23 on the interstate going 5mph or so over, and in the city doing stop and go driving it is 19-20.

That sounds better....when I had my T-100 with the 3.4L I got much better MPG then our 3.0L 4runner.

I get 16-18 MPG in my 3.0L if you have the 3.4L you should be getting better, this is pretty common knowledge.

thats why 2nd gen guys love the 3.4L swap more HP/better MPG.:


Mike

 

[lee]

yes, at "5mph over" the mpgs are better.. thats putting it (assuming we're talking about a 65 limit) at 70mph or less... thus the engine is pushing about 2000-2500 rpms... above this, say in the 80-85 range, the engine pushes closer to 3500 rpm's, even more if youre pushing to maintain it up inclines, and through slower moving vehicles...

thus tune-up or not, the engine will get lower gas mileage.

 

[alotawatts]

Problem is the gauge ?

There is a known problem with some fuel gauges/level.
Do Google searches. I remember reading problems people were having a few years ago in the Edmunds 4Runner Forum.
Here's one about a 99 4Runner:

I do have a few complaints of my own. The gas gauge can be rather annoying. While the gas tank is 18.5 gallons the low fuel light will usually come on after using only 13-15 gallons. I've heard this is a common problem and have yet to hear of anyone getting this fixed. I've resorted to filling up sometime after the light goes on. I thought these warning lights were to indicate that you better get to a gas station right away but apparently with the 4Runner it just means you should probably consider filling up again in the next 50 miles.

More info re: 1999 here:

An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Combination Meter Circuit Plate #3 for the Fuel Gauge and the Fuel Tank Sending Unit. Failure of the Combination Meter Circuit Plate #3 and the Fuel Tank Sending Unit will cause the Fuel Gauge to indicate the incorrect fuel level. The cost to replace the Combination Meter Circuit Plate #3 is estimated at $152.31 for parts and $65.00 for labor. The cost to replace the Fuel Tank Sending Unit is estimated at $159.33 for parts and $130.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.

 

[4RUNN!N]

I filled up today after driving with the gas light for about 35 miles. It took 15.4 gallons to fill up. From my calculations, the average this tank was 16.74 MPG.

Thanks for the tip alota, I'll probably get the fuel gauge checked out at my dads shop.

 

[grimpy]

When the gas light starts to go on, I go to the pump to fill up and it only takes 14.5 gallons. Does the tank really reserve that much gas? My dads Lexus LX470 gas light goes on when theres only about 2 gallons left. Also, when I fill up, I calculated the average mpg, I got around 15-16 mpg on average with mostly highway driving. Does that sound about right? I do drive at around 70-80 mph on the freeway.

Welcome to the club... My light goes on at 13gallons and I get a whooping 15mpg avg... I'm on 33" tires though and not regeared. Most folks with the higher mpg lives in the boonies and have no idea what traffic is.

 

[lee]

well the gas guage wouldnt effect mpg's...

itll just effect whether you wait till youve used almost a whole tank or whether you fill earlier.

your mileage calculation will be the same.

 

[ebelen1]

I have a '99 w/ 32's and a 2-3" suspension lift. The truck has had full maintenance done and no CEL codes. I get about 13-15 mpg all city driving and can get to 15-17 mpg on highways. This is w/o compensation of upsizing in tire size. (I'm approximately 11% off from the speedo according to internet calculators.)

It's an auto tranny. I do run a little harder than I should but I think the lift and tires are the culprit more than my heavy foot. I've tried everything to get better gas mileage but even babying the truck gets max 2 mpg extra.

My last gas bill w/ 6 fillups over a five week period was $285.

 

[lee]

(I'm approximately 11% off from the speedo according to internet calculators.)

actually its funny cause i was off by 4 mph before i upped to 265/75's... now im dead on accurate.

so i bet youre less off than you think and less off than those calculators think.

i know my exact speed thanks to GPS by the way.

 

[ebelen1]

actually its funny cause i was off by 4 mph before i upped to 265/75's... now im dead on accurate.

so i bet youre less off than you think and less off than those calculators think.

i know my exact speed thanks to GPS by the way.

Checked today w/ a buddy on the freeway. Tried three different speeds and I am about 10% off. I wish I had a GPS to try it out. This is one of my soon-to-be mods.