nw_4Runner
New member
What changes in the '14 will net you better mileage?
Gas mileage
- Thread starter Quantum
- Start date
What changes in the '14 will net you better mileage?
nw_4Runner
New member
Hey Quantum - noticed you have the Nav in your TE. One thing you should check out is the mileage-by-minute screen - go to Info/Phone, then hit the Mileage icon... this way you can see, minute-by-minute what your mileage is. I've found it great for justifying those times my mileage seems exceptionally low ... that is, I leave it on, when I see it going down dramatically, I begin to think about the factors - was I on a slope, did I surge to pass someone, did I hit every stop light over the last stretch, etc. Found that if I'm on the highway, flat surface, keeping it under 70... doin' great. Also, if I pay attention to the eco light (yea, that'll get me flamed here), when driving around town... can see within a few minutes real progress towards better mileage.
Just a good tool to correlate all the variables to the results you're getting - and since there's only a minute delay, it's pretty useful.
Good luck!
Balcs1
New member
I bought a Camry SE to Run the Piss out of
The Camry Gets 28-32mpg. My wife and I use the heck out of it driving kids to school, if we head DT seattle for a Seahawk Game or appointments. Now when I get in my 4runner I enjoy it more vs driving it every day. And I can keep it fresh and reliable for my off Road Hunting Trips. I am glad I picked up a car for that purpose.
The Camry Gets 28-32mpg. My wife and I use the heck out of it driving kids to school, if we head DT seattle for a Seahawk Game or appointments. Now when I get in my 4runner I enjoy it more vs driving it every day. And I can keep it fresh and reliable for my off Road Hunting Trips. I am glad I picked up a car for that purpose.
4everunner
Member
By looking at this thread i guess my 14 avg is normal. I think last tank i calculated was 13.9 @ 40/60 highway/city :juggle:
iPhone app
This is a free app I started using to track my MPG, its very data driven
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gas-cubby-free-fuel-economy/id347639491?mt=8
This is a free app I started using to track my MPG, its very data driven
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gas-cubby-free-fuel-economy/id347639491?mt=8
Ok, so I now know the actual gas mileage that I am getting and I also know that the range gauge is fairly accurate. Below are pictures that show:
1. The type of road I drive on primarily - side roads, 30 to 40 MPH
2. The miles I drove on a full tank
3. The range shown left
4. The MPG from the gauge
5. The gallons for the fill up at the gas station
I set the trip odometer when I filled up the last time. Filled up this time with ~18 gallons. At that point I had driven ~250 miles.
250/18=13.8 MPG!!????
I DID NOT drive with a lead foot. Did not stomp on it at every light. Did not race. Did not spin the tires. Just normal every day commuting, regular driving.
This is insane, it really is. The only change I made was switching tires to Destination AT's. If this thing is supposed to get 19 MPG (like my 4th gen did), I can't believe that the tires make that much difference. This seems unacceptable to me and that there is a problem or a misrepresentation of the advertised MPG. I am really not happy about this. Anyone else see these numbers consistently?
1. The type of road I drive on primarily - side roads, 30 to 40 MPH
2. The miles I drove on a full tank
3. The range shown left
4. The MPG from the gauge
5. The gallons for the fill up at the gas station
I set the trip odometer when I filled up the last time. Filled up this time with ~18 gallons. At that point I had driven ~250 miles.
250/18=13.8 MPG!!????
I DID NOT drive with a lead foot. Did not stomp on it at every light. Did not race. Did not spin the tires. Just normal every day commuting, regular driving.
This is insane, it really is. The only change I made was switching tires to Destination AT's. If this thing is supposed to get 19 MPG (like my 4th gen did), I can't believe that the tires make that much difference. This seems unacceptable to me and that there is a problem or a misrepresentation of the advertised MPG. I am really not happy about this. Anyone else see these numbers consistently?
Attachments
Ukie
New member
Yes, tire weight and thread pattern affects rolling resistance and MPG but in no way it can drop it to 13.8 MPG alone.
Not sure what Destination AT you have P(40lbs) or LT E(46lbs), but let's say in you have E load which is 2 lbs less then my GY Silen Armor load C(48 lbs). I'm averaging 16.5 MPG and you can see my stats at fuelly
There is another variable related to your MPG drop...just don't know what it is.
Are you making a lot of short trips by chance?
1engineer
Moderator
It's not insane at all. As a matter of fact, it is normal, with a few caveats:
1. Roads.
2. Weather.
3. Temperature.
4. Driving Distance.
You are driving on side roads, in cold weather and making short trips with lots of stoplights correct? You just happened to buy a vehicle and check the efficiency at absolutely the worst time you could pick.
Sometime in October of every year, gas stations across the country start getting in their "winter blend" gasoline. I have previously did a write up on it here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/102219-winter-gas-explained.html so this will get you started. Suffice to say this will cost you a few mpg's until late spring.
Now, you are driving on side roads at 40 mph and have lots of stoplights. There is another few mpg's because of inefficiency of driving stop and go. It takes a lot more power to accelerate anything from rest than maintain a set speed for a longer interval. This is why some new vehicles have developed the stop-start tech of turning a vehicle off at stoplights. You are using fuel without going anywhere.
Next, it's cold. Are you warming your vehicle up before you drive? If you are not warming it up because you think that is a waste of gas think again. If you get into a vehicle on a 20 degree day, start it up and immediately take off here is what happens: Your vehicle has automatically adjusted the air/fuel ratio to burn a lot more fuel and less air in order to "warm up" the vehicle to nominal operating temperatures as quick as possible. You could conceivably arrive at your destination in this engine state, meaning you burned much more fuel than you would have on an 80 degree day.
I have the exact same vehicle as shown only a 2012 with 4K miles. I have owned it two months. I drove it 600 miles over the weekend and averaged 18.7 mpg. Much of my driving was on the interstate. I know come summer I will get around 21 mpg on the highway. I get around 14-17 around town this time of year. I had a 2011 SR5 that I put 60K+ miles on so I know a little about this subject.
Yes, your efficiency sucks right now. It will get better. Expecting 19 mpg around town is being a little optimistic though. 17 would be a more realistic number. Your tires are only hurting you by maybe 1/2 mpg because of constant acceleration of unsprung weight. That weight does not hurt as much on the interstate because of Newton's 2nd law but around town is the worst possible case. Here is another link http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/108973-abysmal-gas-mileage.html that might help. You are not the first to complain but a little research goes a long way.
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Hi Ukie,
My daily drive is about 17 minutes both ways on roads like you saw in the picture. It is not exactly stop and go, but it is not highway cruising either.
Hi Engineer,
That is really useful information, it really is. And it makes a lot of sense; I had not thought about the temperature and gas blends and did not realize they make that much difference.
My question then is: My 4th gen was averaging 16 to 18 MPG in the same exact conditions, consistently. I have had this same commute for a while now. I know clearly that when I filled up the tank I was getting in the high 300 - 360 to 375 miles per tank. I would fill the tank when just about empty and put in 20 gallons almost every time.
Even if I got 350 miles out of the tank:
350/20= 17.5 MPG
Driving conditions exactly the same, driving habits exactly the same. I am just perplexed as to how the two vehicles could be so off when they are both "supposed" to get the same mileage. The stickers (granted not a great gauge) both showed 19 MPG. Meaning the sticker on both when new said the same thing. It is driving me nuts and I feel like there is an issue or Toyota did not want to list the actual "city" milage
That is really useful information, it really is. And it makes a lot of sense; I had not thought about the temperature and gas blends and did not realize they make that much difference.
My question then is: My 4th gen was averaging 16 to 18 MPG in the same exact conditions, consistently. I have had this same commute for a while now. I know clearly that when I filled up the tank I was getting in the high 300 - 360 to 375 miles per tank. I would fill the tank when just about empty and put in 20 gallons almost every time.
Even if I got 350 miles out of the tank:
350/20= 17.5 MPG
Driving conditions exactly the same, driving habits exactly the same. I am just perplexed as to how the two vehicles could be so off when they are both "supposed" to get the same mileage. The stickers (granted not a great gauge) both showed 19 MPG. Meaning the sticker on both when new said the same thing. It is driving me nuts and I feel like there is an issue or Toyota did not want to list the actual "city" milage
1engineer
Moderator
Unfortunately, the "exact same conditions" are never the "exact same conditions" lol. Are you taking into account:
1. Tires
2. Mileage of both vehicles
3. Time of year
4. Temperature
You have heavier tires, you have a new vehicle that will improve somewhat on efficiency as the "newness" wears off. It's cold in January. You have records of your mileage in January? Make sure it is apples to apples, meaning pick a year that was similar. For example, January 2012 was nowhere near as cold here as this January. Basically what I'm saying is unless you are comparing EXACTLY to another vehicle the numbers could be off by 10-20%. That's like me comparing my numbers to yours. Even though we drive the exact same vehicle that is where the similarity ends. By the way, my worst tank so far has been 12 .6 mpg. Best tank 21 mpg. Averaging so far overall around 18 mpg. Toyota says 17/22 is the expected mpg for your vehicle. I don't think you have any worries just give it some time.
Ukie
New member
What about tires: load and tire pressure?
Ukie
New member
Honestly, I think short trips (17 minutes both ways) and colder temperatures are the main factors here. Let's put it in this perspective:
You start engine, it takes time/fuel to warm up, you drive 9 minutes, stop to do your business, engine cools down. You do the same going back home.
When I have a lot of short trips similar to yours, I see MPG goes down just by starting engine and pulling from garage. However, driving longer distances (20-30 minutes) helps to boost MPG and get better average.
Ha! Yes, I have to remember that I am talking to an Engineer, so when I say "exact" I should have thought about that a bit more!
All I can say is that when I first got the 4th gen - stock, brand new, I was getting about 415 miles per tank. Every time for a long time - few years maybe? Then the milage started to drop a bit 380/390 per tank. Then I switched to the Firestone Destination AT's and it dropped to 350/360 per tank and stayed there until I traded it in.
So having said all of that, yes you are right, "exact same conditions" is not exact. However I always, always reset the trip OD with every single fill up and the milage was always very close 17/19 MPG in "city" conditions no matter the time of year. Maybe a bit less in the winter hence the 2 MPG difference. But overall stayed fairly constant. Right now I am staying fairly constant at 13.8 MPG in "city" conditions. Absolutely not right and something is going on. I know on highway trips - only a few so far - the dash gauge shows 18/19 MPG so I know it is better on the highway but that is what I was getting in city in my 4th gen!
This is so frustrating and there is something not right, either the truck has a problem or Toyota did not give accurate numbers.
Quantum
All I can say is that when I first got the 4th gen - stock, brand new, I was getting about 415 miles per tank. Every time for a long time - few years maybe? Then the milage started to drop a bit 380/390 per tank. Then I switched to the Firestone Destination AT's and it dropped to 350/360 per tank and stayed there until I traded it in.
So having said all of that, yes you are right, "exact same conditions" is not exact. However I always, always reset the trip OD with every single fill up and the milage was always very close 17/19 MPG in "city" conditions no matter the time of year. Maybe a bit less in the winter hence the 2 MPG difference. But overall stayed fairly constant. Right now I am staying fairly constant at 13.8 MPG in "city" conditions. Absolutely not right and something is going on. I know on highway trips - only a few so far - the dash gauge shows 18/19 MPG so I know it is better on the highway but that is what I was getting in city in my 4th gen!
This is so frustrating and there is something not right, either the truck has a problem or Toyota did not give accurate numbers.
Quantum
Not sure on either right now, but I will check and post
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
I have posted this in the past but it tells why you loose mpg with your tires.
Also the 5th gen weighs around 400 lbs more than the 4th gen. Also the 5th gen seems to have less low end tourqe so you may be hitting the gas harder to get the same acceleration feels as you were used to in your 4th gen. It all adds up.
Tires and Fuel Economy - Four Wheeler Magazine
Also Excessive Tire Weight | Editorials Blog & Discussion at Jp Magazine
Also the 5th gen weighs around 400 lbs more than the 4th gen. Also the 5th gen seems to have less low end tourqe so you may be hitting the gas harder to get the same acceleration feels as you were used to in your 4th gen. It all adds up.
Tires and Fuel Economy - Four Wheeler Magazine
Also Excessive Tire Weight | Editorials Blog & Discussion at Jp Magazine
Hi 4x4Runner,
Great points. Especially the point about stepping on the gas more because of the lack of response. Tires do make a difference I realize, but on my 4th gen it was just a couple of MPG, not 5 to 6 MPG. I still feel like something is not quite right. But... it just might be the way this 5th gen is. If that is the case Toyota did not inform us properly on the MPG.
2013 Toyota 4Runner MPG | 4Runner Prices
I am getting consistently 13 +- MPG city. Tires are not responsible for that big of a drop! I know weather conditions, fuel mix etc play a part. But there is no way that it should drop this much.
Quantum
MacRunner
New member
Where do you buy your gas? I know when I buy from a major gas chain like Chevron or Exxon I tend to get better mileage. Sometimes I fill up at Costco and it seems my mpg goes down for that tank of gas.
As a previous 2010 5th gen SR5 owner I can tell you that I get worse gas mpg with my '12 Trail. I do have E rated LT tires that weigh 8 lbs more than the stock tires that came on the Trail and I average about 1.5 to 2 mpg less than my '10 SR5. I account the difference to the the extra weight of the Trail vs the SR5 (over 200lbs) and the extra tire weight & rolling resistance.
One other point is the body style difference with the Trail edition. I dont have any facts to back me up but you have to beleive the SR5 and Limited body style has better aerodynamics since the front bumper and side panels sit lower to the road - more like your previous 4th gen. Heck - maybe it's the hood scoop causing too much drag!
As a previous 2010 5th gen SR5 owner I can tell you that I get worse gas mpg with my '12 Trail. I do have E rated LT tires that weigh 8 lbs more than the stock tires that came on the Trail and I average about 1.5 to 2 mpg less than my '10 SR5. I account the difference to the the extra weight of the Trail vs the SR5 (over 200lbs) and the extra tire weight & rolling resistance.
One other point is the body style difference with the Trail edition. I dont have any facts to back me up but you have to beleive the SR5 and Limited body style has better aerodynamics since the front bumper and side panels sit lower to the road - more like your previous 4th gen. Heck - maybe it's the hood scoop causing too much drag!
