Getting Chittay Gas Mileage !!! HELP !!!

[03LimitedRunner]

I just bought a 2003 4Runner Limited w/ V8 and 55k miles. Its in perfect shape, except for that I get only 230 miles per tank which equals about 11 MPG's! Thats less than a Hummer and I don't dog the vehicle, I drive like an old man most of the time.

I took it to a certified Toyota dealership yesterday and they ran diagnostics and what do you you know - the engine is in perfect running condition.

Why is this happening and should I take the car back and return it to the dealership I bought it from?

I thought these cars were supposed to get between 16 and 20 mpgs?

My friend has the same SUV and gets almost 400 Miles per gallon. What gives?

 

[Bamaskeet]

Mine gets 16-18 mpg and 20 mpg on a trip. Towing my 22' boat, it gets 12 mpg.

 

[03LimitedRunner]

Mine gets 16-18 mpg and 20 mpg on a trip. Towing my 22' boat, it gets 12 mpg.

How many miles total do you get per tank? (average)

 

[riverider]

Run some Texron injector cleaner through it, say two tanks of gas with the injector cleaner.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Make sure all of the obvious stuff is ok, fresh oil, clean air filter, tire pressure is correct, you aren't accidentally towing around a camp trailer etc.

A can of fuel injection wouldn't hurt. I like Sea-foam but there's many good ones.

I'd reset the engine computer and give the "learning" function a fresh start. To do this go into the fuse box by the battery, remove the fuses labeled 10A ETCS and 20A EFI for a few minutes (vehicle off, key off). Why? Both the engine and the transmission 'learn' your driving style and sometimes they take home the wrong message and learn stupid stuff like 2+2=5. When you go to to restart the truck turn the key on, count to 10 then turn to the start position or it may sputter and stall on the first attempt.
:cheers:

 

[rook]

My friend has the same SUV and gets almost 400 Miles per gallon. What gives?

:trophy::dancin::frog: I want your friend's truck!

You'll get 18mpg on the highway. In the city with a heavy foot, 11-12 is low but not unreasonable.

Any chance someone is stealing gas out of the tank?

 

[M1911]

20 mpg on a 2003 V8? Downhill, with a tailwind, maybe. In stop and go city driving, I'm getting 14.5 mpg.

 

[mephisto]

Mpg

Unmodified 2009 v8, about 18mpg city driving.

Good to now on reset options from earlier post.

 

[progress4m]

Make sure all of the obvious stuff is ok, fresh oil, clean air filter, tire pressure is correct, you aren't accidentally towing around a camp trailer etc.

A can of fuel injection wouldn't hurt. I like Sea-foam but there's many good ones.

I'd reset the engine computer and give the "learning" function a fresh start. To do this go into the fuse box by the battery, remove the fuses labeled 10A ETCS and 20A EFI for a few minutes (vehicle off, key off). Why? Both the engine and the transmission 'learn' your driving style and sometimes they take home the wrong message and learn stupid stuff like 2+2=5. When you go to to restart the truck turn the key on, count to 10 then turn to the start position or it may sputter and stall on the first attempt.
:cheers:

X2!

230 mile a tank is not right at all. I have V8, lifted with AT tires and I get 18 to 19 in 50% City 50% Hwy. So I do get around 400 Miles per tank.

 

[nashman69g]

what is the operating temperature you are running at. Reason I'm asking is, if the temperature is low, you might have a open thermostat. My Integra had one and I was getting about 4mpg less than normal. Changed it with a working one and voila, back to normal. Also check for fuel leaks. I had one in my RX7 and was getting horrible milage.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Clean the mass air flow sensor. Very easy to do. You will notice a mileage and power increase

 

[12guns]

I also have a 4x4 V8 and get right at 325 miles per tank w/ mostly highway driving. That's running around 78 on the highway and with a fairly heavy foot in town. If I were driving only in town I'm seeing no more than 300 miles, normally around 280. I'm seeing guys claiming to get 20 mpg on trips, but I couldn't get a true 20 mpg unless I were doing 55 the whole time. I've cleaned my MAF and just "reset" the ECU today. I'm also hoping for an increase but have my doubts with my driving style. I think the biggest difference between us and the guys claiming 20 mpg is driving style and more highway miles that they realize. My ride is a 05' Sport and has been maintained well with new plug, all fuids changed, etc. I would LOVE to get an average of 18 highway, but have see 16 or so is realistic for me. The up side is that I get better in town and when pulling a trailer than my old Tacoma did so I'm still happy with my 4runner. I'll let you know if resetting the ECU does anything. Oh, and I have also noticed that running a good quality 93 octane does give me better mpg, just not sure if it's enough to make it worth the extra cost.

 

[Sporin]

my mpg is up quite a bit since the warm weather arrived (I bought my truck in the fall). I was seeing a high of 16 per tank over the winter, often as low as mid 14's (hand calculated).

The last 4 or 5 tanks have all been around 18, some a bit higher.

I do wonder who much of that is related to resetting the ECU though. I had to pull my batter to change that turn signal bulb a couple weeks ago.

Cumulatively though, I'm happy with the bump.

(06 SR5 V8 4x4, 60k miles)

 

[Carl_G]

Make sure all of the obvious stuff is ok, fresh oil, clean air filter, tire pressure is correct, you aren't accidentally towing around a camp trailer etc.

A can of fuel injection wouldn't hurt. I like Sea-foam but there's many good ones.

I'd reset the engine computer and give the "learning" function a fresh start. To do this go into the fuse box by the battery, remove the fuses labeled 10A ETCS and 20A EFI for a few minutes (vehicle off, key off). Why? Both the engine and the transmission 'learn' your driving style and sometimes they take home the wrong message and learn stupid stuff like 2+2=5. When you go to to restart the truck turn the key on, count to 10 then turn to the start position or it may sputter and stall on the first attempt.
:cheers:

Thanks for the tip about resetting the computer; shifts are smoother now. The computer shows better mileage but will check it manually. Checked the maf sensor and it was pristine with 140,000 kms so I didn't touch it. Has a k & n intake which sounds great.

 

[chip4]

Are you running non OEM sized tires? your calculations/ tripmeter might be off if you are.

 

[jharris2]

Thread closed.