Gas mileage

[llessur2]

Well I have owned my 1998 Limited for almost 6 months now and she took her first road trip (140 miles highway one way). I figured this was a good time to see how she rode at highway speeds and see what kind of mpg she got. Well I hand calculated it after 200 miles and it came out to 16.89 mpg. I figured it would be a little better, but i was also running 77-81 on cruise. Also curious as to any clue what the top speed is on these beasts. Must say quite a big difference coming from a 5 speed Acura Legend to this.
I will say i was pleasantly surprised at how quite and smooth it rides running 80 mph on the freeway for what is essentially a large square.

 

[02SE]

Also curious as to any clue what the top speed is on these beasts.

3rd gen 4Runners are governed to 106 mph, in stock configuration. You also need good conditions to achieve that. Anything that increases rolling resistance like bigger, more aggressive tires, or increases aero drag like a lift, roof rack, etc. will reduce the likelihood of even achieving that.

 

[Joelev]

My average highway speed is around 70.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Well I have owned my 1998 Limited for almost 6 months now and she took her first road trip (140 miles highway one way). I figured this was a good time to see how she rode at highway speeds and see what kind of mpg she got. Well I hand calculated it after 200 miles and it came out to 16.89 mpg. I figured it would be a little better, but i was also running 77-81 on cruise. Also curious as to any clue what the top speed is on these beasts. Must say quite a big difference coming from a 5 speed Acura Legend to this.
I will say i was pleasantly surprised at how quite and smooth it rides running 80 mph on the freeway for what is essentially a large square.

The faster you go, the more wind drag increases exponentially. It's not a linear scale, but increases exponentially.

If you're a science geek like myself you might find this interesting (or scroll to the bottom for the approx. graph) What Will an 85 mph Speed Limit do to Your Mileage | WIRED.

Basically, your MPGs are normal for going 80 MPH. Slow down and you'll get better MPGs. These trucks are rated as 16 MPG city, 19 MPG Highway (at roughly 65 MPH).

 

[Unner]

Yeah like 02SE said the 4Runners govern around 106. I personally thought I had read 108 before, but it's close enough.

One of the reasons your mileage was so low was your speed. I just got back from a trip where I did about 240 miles highway and probably 50 miles city on one tank and I had 18.4 mpg. That was with never going above 73 mph unless I needed to get around something quickly or so. You can get over 19 mpg highway if you drive reasonably, and have a well running, tuned up engine. I saw almost 21 mpg on the way back from the beach this summer.

 

[cbr900boy]

Well I have owned my 1998 Limited for almost 6 months now and she took her first road trip (140 miles highway one way). I figured this was a good time to see how she rode at highway speeds and see what kind of mpg she got. Well I hand calculated it after 200 miles and it came out to 16.89 mpg. I figured it would be a little better, but i was also running 77-81 on cruise. Also curious as to any clue what the top speed is on these beasts. Must say quite a big difference coming from a 5 speed Acura Legend to this.
I will say i was pleasantly surprised at how quite and smooth it rides running 80 mph on the freeway for what is essentially a large square.

DAMN MAN!!! I use this online MPG calculator and I always get around 14 to 15 MPG, that is the best I can get.

 

[92Pony]

We bought my son's '98 Limited ~180mi from home. It had 223k mi on it when we bought it. Filled 'er up and drove home (90% interstate 70mph). We got off the interstate at our exit and filled up again and did the math. 19mpg - Which is right what the Feds say it should get on the highway. Being as that it had 200k+ on it, I thought that was pretty respectable!

Federal Fuel Mileage chart - Search by Model

 

[Angryclown5]

Slightly above

My '99 SR5 V6 5 speed has been getting 19-21 on highway trips in the mountains in Colorado. I keep the speed around 65-70 and use the cruise control as much as possible.

A couple miles per gallon less when I'm driving around town.

Gotta say I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[mattgreeneva]

32"s and 3.5" lift with a roof rack I see 14 city 16 highway

 

[02SE]

My '99 SR5 V6 5 speed has been getting 19-21 on highway trips in the mountains in Colorado. I keep the speed around 65-70 and use the cruise control as much as possible.

A couple miles per gallon less when I'm driving around town.

Gotta say I'm pretty happy with it.

The high altitude helps. These trucks have poor aerodynamics. They were designed at a time when great gas mileage wasn't as big of a concern, as it is today.

At higher altitudes the air is less dense, so as you are driving along the engine isn't working as hard to overcome the aerodynamic drag. The truck slips through the less-dense air easier.

My 4Runner spends most of it's life at 4500 feet and higher. My MPG always drops the lower in elevation I drive. Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, my MPG is approx. 2 MPG less than I can achieve when just driving around back home.

 

[Jsonne]

Im averaging 20-21mpg in a mostly stock 1998 4x4 limited. But I put around like grandpa, 60-65 on the freeways.

 

[BoarderDave]

Stock 2001 2WD.. In the few months of ownership so far.. here's my tracked information. I get low 15 during stop and go LA traffic commuting (worst traffic ever.. I basically idle my way to work and home ). On my freeway trips though when I average 65-70MPH.. I get 20. I've seen highest at 21 couple times..