Is my MPG normal?

[utkan]

I got my 4runner about 4 months ago and I have been doing a tune up since. I have full synthetic oil, new Bosh plugs, plug cables, rotor and distributor cap. oxygen sensor k&n drop in air filter. I drive in Chicago about 20 miles a day all city traffic never revving more then 2500 rpm . I have 300lb (more less) tools on the back all the time.
I can't get more then 9.5 mpg. Is this normal? Any other suggestions on better gas millage?


Thanks for your time.

 

[SUBTEGRAL]

Your V6 should be getting at least 13 in the city.

My 4Runner with 3VZ-E (see my sig) gets 13-14 city.. it's the best I've been able to get in the city.

 

[95SR5colo]

I'm getting 17.5 in the city and 19.3 on the highway in my 1995 S5v6 4wd with 169,000miles.

 

[Geolander]

Your V6 should be getting at least 13 in the city.

My 4Runner with 3VZ-E (see my sig) gets 13-14 city.. it's the best I've been able to get in the city.

Same here. My highway mileage is usually about 18-20 though.

@OP: Maybe try running some Seafoam through it? I know the auto gets worse mileage than the 5-speed, but it shouldn't be 4-5 mpg worse.

 

[Wagglyfawn]

Perhaps you should shift your focus away from the engine and look for things leeching power. Have you gotten an alignment recently? Checked your wheel bearings? Any of the brakes (especially rear drums) dragging a bit?

Also, you said you replaced the 02 sensors, but maybe an exhaust leak is causing bad readings and you're running rich.

 

[utkan]

I did not think to check the breaks. It does not feel like its dragging but I will lift it up and check the bearings and breaks .
I have a exhaust leak after the cat. I thought that would not effect the oxygen sensors reading, does it?

 

[Awz]

Switch out the bosch plugs for NGK. Toyota engines tend to run better with them. I've had a few friends get improvement from that alone. Bosch works best in german cars.

 

[utkan]

Switch out the bosch plugs for NGK. Toyota engines tend to run better with them. I've had a few friends get improvement from that alone. Bosch works best in german cars.

I got Platinum+4 on the truck. I tough those are the bast for getting the most out of your MPGs . I will put the NGKs I removed back and see if it will help.

 

[GonOvr]

Definitely seems lower than normal. Who am I to say though, I am literally close to a gallon per mile. Can't wait for my EFI conversion.

 

[utkan]

Definitely seems lower than normal. Who am I to say though, I am literally close to a gallon per mile. Can't wait for my EFI conversion.

I was just reading your build thread thinking I would have put a twin turbo supra engine in there. That's just me, not used to Chevy. Is that a 6 litter or something?

 

[GonOvr]

I was just reading your build thread thinking I would have put a twin turbo supra engine in there. That's just me, not used to Chevy. Is that a 6 litter or something?

It's a 383. The problem with turbo supra conversions is that they are not low end torque engines. You have to spool the turbos up, and then hold on. I make most of my torque at about 3000-3500 rpms and have about 360 ft-lbs just off idle. If I'm stuck in the mud I don't want to wait for the turbos. I want to blip the throttle and immediately clean the tires. When i stand on the skinny pedal, my axles want to back flips and run away right out of the chute. There was actually a method to my madness... Except for the lift, even I admit that I went over board.

 

[77'911]

You might give the truck a decent check over:
-vacuum leaks
-fuel pressures, filter, replace injector o-rings
-check torque on front wheel bearings
-general tune up parts, etc....
We generally get about 13-15mpg in the city, but even that gets tough with the ethanol put in today's petrol. It really has killed the mpg in these old trucks. We do better on the highway, but maybe 19/20mpg. You might check the condition of your gas cap seal, ours was completely gone(thanks ethanol). I'm sure a bit of petrol was lost due to that one.
regards

 

[EvilMonkeyMike]

I'm getting similar MPG's with the 93 3VZE I just bought about 3 months ago. Since I bought it, I've done the following:

Replaced the leaking valve cover gaskets, both sides
Replaced the brake rotors/pads on the front
Replaced the wheel bearings
Replaced both CV shafts
Replaced the EGR valve (broke the original when I was getting to the valve cover gaskets...OOPS!)

Since I've done this, I've noticed the poor gas mileage (never checked it before I did all this work, I don't drive around vehicles with broken parts if I can help it so I changed everything ASAP) as well as a weird pull to the right when braking.

To diagnose the pull, I first assumed I had mis-torqued the wheel bearings. I checked the roll resistance with the wheels on (both felt about the same.) Just to be sure, I pulled off the wheels and checked the drag with a spring gauge (both within 1-2 lbs. of each other.) Am I looking at a bad caliper possibly? Maybe when I pushed the pistons in for the new pads I'm seeing a sticky piston?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, the only thing I can think to do is replace the calipers, possibly the brake lines on both sides. I hate to throw parts at it but I'm at my wits end with diagnosing this problem! I'm also thinking that maybe if I can fix the pull my MPG's will go up a bit.

EvilMonkeyMike
1993 4Runner, V-6, Auto

 

[utkan]

Hi Mike, did you do any tuneup that might help with fuel efficiency like air filter, new plugs?

 

[EvilMonkeyMike]

The plugs, cap, rotor are all new (replaced a few months before I bought it.) The plugs are NGK's, I guess I could pull them and check the gap, but other than that the ignition system should be tuned up. The fuel filter looks old, I guess I should probably swap that and see if I get any results. I could probably throw a new air filter on it as well...good idea!

 

[csrobb007]

Here's my average after a few long trips...
4Runner (Toyota 4Runner) | Fuelly
This is also after going over just about every nut, bolt, and filter...checking everything twice to squeeze every drop of fuel out of it. As far as my truck goes (all are different), it's the best I'm going to get. How you drive it has a lot to do with it also, I drive this truck like a grandpa, so how do the commercials say it..."Your mileage may vary".