Gas mileage

[Quantum]

So this is a question that has bothered me for a while. I had a 2006 4Runner and when I first got it I kept the stock tires on it and was getting an average of 19 mpg or better. With a full tank, I could touch 400 miles. As the truck got older, it seemed to drop a bit (I understand that). When I got new tires - Firestone Destination AT 265/65 - 17 it dropped down to 17 to 18 mpg. I would still get in the high 300's per tank however.

Now with a 2013 4Runner TE. I immediately switch out the stock tires for Firestone Destination AT 265/70 - 17. This seems insane to me but I am showing ~17 mpg on the highway and I will drop as low as 12.7 mpg city. I fill the tank and I am getting mid 200's at best! More like low 200 miles per tank!?

Any thoughts? Anyone else see this? What average mpg/miles per tank are you guys getting?

Thanks

Quantum

 

[1engineer]

So this is a question that has bothered me for a while. I had a 2006 4Runner and when I first got it I kept the stock tires on it and was getting an average of 19 mpg or better. With a full tank, I could touch 400 miles. As the truck got older, it seemed to drop a bit (I understand that). When I got new tires - Firestone Destination AT 265/65 - 17 it dropped down to 17 to 18 mpg. I would still get in the high 300's per tank however.

Now with a 2013 4Runner TE. I immediately switch out the stock tires for Firestone Destination AT 265/70 - 17. This seems insane to me but I am showing ~17 mpg on the highway and I will drop as low as 12.7 mpg city. I fill the tank and I am getting mid 200's at best! More like low 200 miles per tank!?

Any thoughts? Anyone else see this? What average mpg/miles per tank are you guys getting?

Thanks

Quantum

There are 100's of threads scattered throughout on mpg you can read and while they have good information they can all be summarized to a few key points:

1. ANY modification that adds weight, either sprung or unsprung, will reduce efficiency. For example how much do your new tire weigh vs the OEM tires?

2. Winter mpg vs summer mpg is different. You can expect to get a 10-20% hit on mpg in the winter. Why? Winter blend fuel, warm up time of engine extended because of starting ambient temp, using 4WD etc.

3. Driving style and speed. If you drive like a madman at 80 mph you will have reduced efficiency. If you drive fast same thing. The 4Runner is not the slickest vehicle tested in the wind tunnel.

Bottom line is this: You can expect to get 17-21 mpg overall with no modifications. That means averaging both city and highway. You will get less if you drive all city and no highway. Do not fall into the trap of using the little display for mpg and miles to empty as your official documentation method. You will be incorrect and thusly disappointed. Calculate your mpg by hand every fill up. The display only approximates your mpg and miles to empty. I was on a trip recently and drove three miles before the miles to empty changed one mile. It does not automatically recalculate miles to empty based on your true mpg, otherwise it would be fluctuating every few minutes by a large margin. And finally, relax and enjoy. You eventually will figure it out and probably will be within the range I listed above.

 

[JamesWhite]

12.7 MPG is too low for me even for the heavier tires and city driving. I recently replaced mine with Cooper Discovery ATP. I get ~17 MPG for mixed city and highway driving. I used have 17.6 MPG for the stock Donlop tires. The recent colder weather in my area may also contribute a bit.

Did you check the tire pressure?

 

[westwind77]

I have the same tires, I noticed a drop (well the 4R computer did). It would usually show 17 even around town, now the avg is about 16.7. There is NO reason for yours to be so low.

 

[jfdallas]

Do not fall into the trap of using the little display for mpg and miles to empty as your official documentation method. You will be incorrect and thusly disappointed. Calculate your mpg by hand every fill up. The display only approximates your mpg and miles to empty.

^^ This

I calculate mine every fillup and it has varied from 17.2 - 22.1 depending on city vs. highway. Since I purchased my 4R last April, my overall mpg is 19.0. I don't do any offroading so that certainly factors into the mileage, I'm sure.

If you have an iphone, there is a great app you can download for free called "Mileage Keeper" that will calculate current and running total of your gas mileage. Very simple and easy to use...check it out. Mileage Keeper - Homepage

 

[1engineer]

I have the same tires, I noticed a drop (well the 4R computer did). It would usually show 17 even around town, now the avg is about 16.7. There is NO reason for yours to be so low.

Sure there is. I have seen mine go this low and lower! This is why you can only use the display as a general guide and not for any type of accurate reading. Try this:
Start the vehicle and reset your display.
Let the vehicle idle for 5-10 minutes until warm.
Drive only around side streets for a few minutes and check the display.

My point is this will give you crappy numbers, same as coasting down a long hill will give you great numbers. Don't get bogged down worrying about a few miles or a few hundred miles.

Now, if you get 12 mpg on a long interstate trip and have not done any mods then I would take it to the dealer.

 

[Quantum]

Thanks for the great info. I will make sure to calculate by hand on the next fill up. I will post the results here when I do. I reset the trip odometer after every fill up and I am showing mid 200's on the odometer when I fill. I usually run the tank to almost empty every time (not sure why I do that! Lazy?)

I hear you on the modifications and driving like a fool as that would certainly make a difference. I just can't believe that a set of Firestones can make that much difference, but maybe they do.

I will post again when I have actual numbers.

Quantum

 

[ATL4R]

So this is a question that has bothered me for a while. I had a 2006 4Runner and when I first got it I kept the stock tires on it and was getting an average of 19 mpg or better. With a full tank, I could touch 400 miles. As the truck got older, it seemed to drop a bit (I understand that). When I got new tires - Firestone Destination AT 265/65 - 17 it dropped down to 17 to 18 mpg. I would still get in the high 300's per tank however.

Now with a 2013 4Runner TE. I immediately switch out the stock tires for Firestone Destination AT 265/70 - 17. This seems insane to me but I am showing ~17 mpg on the highway and I will drop as low as 12.7 mpg city. I fill the tank and I am getting mid 200's at best! More like low 200 miles per tank!?

Any thoughts? Anyone else see this? What average mpg/miles per tank are you guys getting?

Thanks

Quantum

I actually get better MPG in the city than I do highway. I think it has to do with the fact that I can't keep it under 80 on the highway...welcome to Atlanta!

I do about 30% highway and 70% city driving. My average comes in around 16.5 MPG lately according to the dash. 285 70's and decent amount of extra (non aerodynamic) weight doesn't help.

If I cruise highways around 65-70mph with cruise control on a long trip, I see around 20mpg.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

I really can't see how you could get a Trail down to 12.6 in the city even with tires. I suppose if you are a stoplight racer, and floored it every chance you got with red lights on every block...

This is the gas mileage my heavy 05 JGC with HEMI V8 (thirsty) and full time QDII four wheel drive got.

Downtown Chicago you might be able to pull this type of mileage...

 

[Quantum]

I really can't see how you could get a Trail down to 12.6 in the city even with tires. I suppose if you are a stoplight racer, and floored it every chance you got with red lights on every block...

This is the gas mileage my heavy 05 JGC with HEMI V8 (thirsty) and full time QDII four wheel drive got.

Downtown Chicago you might be able to pull this type of mileage...

That is a good point. I have only owned my TE for a couple of weeks now and frankly have not hand calculated the gas mileage. I absolutely do not stomp on it at all. Just normal driving, seriously. I know the dash gauge is not all that accurate but still when I saw 12.7 it still freaked me out. I do know that I am getting sub 300 miles per tank and the last refill was 18 gallons. I reset the trip OD and will calculate by hand next time I refill. I am sure it is not that low, 12.7, but it is lower than I feel like it should be. I will post as soon as I have solid numbers.

 

[westwind77]

Sure there is.

Ha yeah yeah yeah, I figured that was common knowledge though. Just like if you reset it going downhill and take your foot off the gas, sky high mileage. Same for if you reset it and drag race, single digits.

I reset mine a couple times a year, and I never saw the avg below 17 with the stock tires, and 16.7 with the new ties. My driving habits are generally the same as well. All in all the numbers are close enough to null themselves out though without exact scientific proof. For the small difference there is I am not concerned about it. Like you said, if the OP runs for a few months and still get 12, well then there might be a problem.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

That is a good point. I have only owned my TE for a couple of weeks now and frankly have not hand calculated the gas mileage. I absolutely do not stomp on it at all. Just normal driving, seriously. I know the dash gauge is not all that accurate but still when I saw 12.7 it still freaked me out. I do know that I am getting sub 300 miles per tank and the last refill was 18 gallons. I reset the trip OD and will calculate by hand next time I refill. I am sure it is not that low, 12.7, but it is lower than I feel like it should be. I will post as soon as I have solid numbers.

My guess is the wheels and tires are not balanced properly or you have a problem with tire pressure. 12.7 may be doable in certain areas in extreme conditions, with larger tires and stop and go traffic, but unless that just described your typicaly driving something happened to cause the drop.

 

[marlin driver]

I've got a new '13 Limited. I reset my dash mpg gauge every fill up and I calculate by hand at every fill up. The dash gauge is accurate if you give it a reasonable number of miles to measure.

The mileage I get is really crappy in the city and decent on the highway. It is absolutely possible to get 12 or 13 mpg (real numbers) if you are driving mostly or all in the city. I have gone through most of a tank full with almost entirely stop and go driving and got 13.8 for that entire tank. Crappy numbers, but reality. When I drive even 50/50 city/hwy, the numbers jump up to the higher teens.

It has been surprising to me how really lousy the gas mileage can be on this car.

 

[Quantum]

Ha yeah yeah yeah, I figured that was common knowledge though. Just like if you reset it going downhill and take your foot off the gas, sky high mileage. Same for if you reset it and drag race, single digits.

I reset mine a couple times a year, and I never saw the avg below 17 with the stock tires, and 16.7 with the new ties. My driving habits are generally the same as well. All in all the numbers are close enough to null themselves out though without exact scientific proof. For the small difference there is I am not concerned about it. Like you said, if the OP runs for a few months and still get 12, well then there might be a problem.

Hey Westwind,

Good point on when you reset, ie on a hill with the throttle punched or down a hill coasting - the results will be drastic. And you are right, that is common knowledge.

The only real numbers will come from a manual calculation, will do that with next refill and post.

Quantum

 

[Quantum]

I've got a new '13 Limited. I reset my dash mpg gauge every fill up and I calculate by hand at every fill up. The dash gauge is accurate if you give it a reasonable number of miles to measure.

The mileage I get is really crappy in the city and decent on the highway. It is absolutely possible to get 12 or 13 mpg (real numbers) if you are driving mostly or all in the city. I have gone through most of a tank full with almost entirely stop and go driving and got 13.8 for that entire tank. Crappy numbers, but reality. When I drive even 50/50 city/hwy, the numbers jump up to the higher teens.

It has been surprising to me how really lousy the gas mileage can be on this car.

Marlin,

This is what I am talking about - the difference in MPG between the 4th and 5th gen seems remarkable. I'm getting the same results in city vs. hwy driving.

Quantum

 

[runnaz]

I too though the gas mileage would be a little better on these 4runners. I have a 12 SR5 and avg. 16-17 with mixed driving. On that note, I didn't buy the 4runner for gas mileage, I bought it for a family vehicle and reliability. But, it makes me wonder when my 08 Mustang with a V8 consistently gets 20-22 with the same type of driving. Of course, you can't really compare an aerodynamic car with a big box on wheels......

 

[calcrc]

So today I took my car to the dealer regarding the gas mileage.
I was amazed with what he told me when he called me to pick it up.

He said he can't do nothing because there are no warnings lights up in the dash board so he doesnt know what to look for. I was like what, did
ou check the liquids the brakes the motor, anything physical on the truck? He said no just that he sent in the data to toyota and see if they have something to update the car computer.

Bs if you ask me why the hell did I make an appointment if you just looked at it. Damn imcompetants.

 

[1engineer]

So today I took my car to the dealer regarding the gas mileage.
I was amazed with what he told me when he called me to pick it up.

He said he can't do nothing because there are no warnings lights up in the dash board so he doesnt know what to look for. I was like what, did
ou check the liquids the brakes the motor, anything physical on the truck? He said no just that he sent in the data to toyota and see if they have something to update the car computer.

Bs if you ask me why the hell did I make an appointment if you just looked at it. Damn imcompetants.

I told you why you get crap gas milage in the other thread. Don't believe me?

 

[diverscale]

So today I took my car to the dealer regarding the gas mileage.
I was amazed with what he told me when he called me to pick it up.

He said he can't do nothing because there are no warnings lights up in the dash board so he doesnt know what to look for. I was like what, did
ou check the liquids the brakes the motor, anything physical on the truck? He said no just that he sent in the data to toyota and see if they have something to update the car computer.

Bs if you ask me why the hell did I make an appointment if you just looked at it. Damn imcompetants.

Dude, you live where we have the worst climate possible for mileage (I know I live in the same province as you.)

You will need to understand that snow, very cold temperature, constant high winds and a somewhat hilly area will greatly hit your mileage. To know what your truck can achieve, wait for this summer and do a road trip going at 65 MPH, you will see that it's not that bad.

 

[calcrc]

I guess I have to accept it, I think I will hold on to it and take care of it and get the 2014 TE. When it comes out or maybe wait and see what the 2015 will look like.