Long-Term 4th Gen V6 MPG Report

[Bluesky 07]

The only reliable way to measure MPG is miles traveled divided by gallons to fill. I've used an app called Auto Care to track that info for every fill-up since September 2016 and the app calculates your MPG each time. So FWIW, here is what my V6 '07 Sport has logged over nearly two years of data:

Most Recent - 16.13
Minimum - 13.17 (That was a full day off-road.)
Maximum - 21.18 (A full day of highway driving.)
Average - 17.48

I also used my OBD reader and Fusion app to check what the truck was reporting as instant MPG on a recent trip. I was curious to see if speed's effect on MPG was as much as it's supposed to be, and while I'm not certain how reliable the instant MPG info is, it is useful for measuring data relative to another value.

It surprised me to see 23.5 while cruising at 55 on a level highway. Increasing speed by 10 mph each time, the fuel economy declined significantly, first to around 20 at 65 and down to around 18.5 or so at 75.

YMMV - literally. ;-)

 

[raygenjay]

Wish I could give you an honest answer but with roof rack, Shrockworks front bumper, winch and other mods, I average between 16-20 depending.


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[TripleTS_T4R]

AVERAGE 16.4 on 93 pump gas (ETHANOL FREE) even with the skid plates and 32" tires with aftermarket wheels. I find that I have to resent the darn trip meter because if I don't it becomes unreliable which I believe that someone on here talked about its unreliability (search time).

 

[hinmo24t]

Wish I could give you an honest answer but with roof rack, Shrockworks front bumper, winch and other mods, I average between 16-20 depending.


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that doesnt seem too bad considering the bumper winch and rack...

OP - solid data - useful info. i liked knowing that at 55 you can rope almost 25 mpg but 65 and 75 youre into the 17-20 range. im cool with the 65-70 cruise. i had a WRX until a month ago when i got my t4r v6. my tank is 5 gallons more than wrx, i used 87 vs 91, and it turns out i am spending about $10 more and getting similar mpg (wrx prob avg 22ish) yet i am getting a nice extra 100 miles out of my tank, which is about 5% more efficient when looking at proportions than my wrx. 20% more $ to fill tank but 25% more range. yew.

 

[Ralph Blake]

My 2wd v6 gets around 15+ mpg using real gas. Tire pressure 35psi.

 

[thennen]

The only reliable way to measure MPG is miles traveled divided by gallons to fill. I've used an app called Auto Care to track that info for every fill-up since September 2016 and the app calculates your MPG each time. So FWIW, here is what my V6 '07 Sport has logged over nearly two years of data:

Most Recent - 16.13
Minimum - 13.17 (That was a full day off-road.)
Maximum - 21.18 (A full day of highway driving.)
Average - 17.48

I also used my OBD reader and Fusion app to check what the truck was reporting as instant MPG on a recent trip. I was curious to see if speed's effect on MPG was as much as it's supposed to be, and while I'm not certain how reliable the instant MPG info is, it is useful for measuring data relative to another value.

It was surprised me to see 23.5 while cruising at 55 on a level highway. Increasing speed by 10 mph each time, the fuel economy declined significantly, first to around 20 at 65 and down to around 18.5 or so at 75.

YMMV - literally. ;-)

Yeah, I recall reading an article a long time ago that explained and illustrated the effect of wind on a vehicle. They were measuring horsepower required to maintain different speeds, not mpg as I recall (Car & Driver or Road & Track). Same result, though. I don't remember exact numbers, but it was something like this: say it takes 20hp to maintain 55mph in a vehicle. Increase to 65 and it takes maybe 40hp. At 75, maybe it takes 70hp. Again, my numbers may be off, but the idea is there. It was interesting to see how much additional HP was required for relatively small increases in speed.

 

[hinmo24t]

Yeah, I recall reading an article a long time ago that explained and illustrated the effect of wind on a vehicle. They were measuring horsepower required to maintain different speeds, not mpg as I recall (Car & Driver or Road & Track). Same result, though. I don't remember exact numbers, but it was something like this: say it takes 20hp to maintain 55mph in a vehicle. Increase to 65 and it takes maybe 40hp. At 75, maybe it takes 70hp. Again, my numbers may be off, but the idea is there. It was interesting to see how much additional HP was required for relatively small increases in speed.

wind is a major factor in the physics. cyclists in a straight line, hanging an inch of the rear tire of person in front of them, measure something like 25 or 30% reduced drag compared to the person in the leadout spot. nascar drafting etc. same deal. wind make a difference, on top of shape of vehicle rolling at a particular speed etc.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Yeah, I recall reading an article a long time ago that explained and illustrated the effect of wind on a vehicle. They were measuring horsepower required to maintain different speeds, not mpg as I recall (Car & Driver or Road & Track). Same result, though. I don't remember exact numbers, but it was something like this: say it takes 20hp to maintain 55mph in a vehicle. Increase to 65 and it takes maybe 40hp. At 75, maybe it takes 70hp. Again, my numbers may be off, but the idea is there. It was interesting to see how much additional HP was required for relatively small increases in speed.

Interesting. The OBD Fusion app has a horsepower readout. I'll check out numbers on my 4R the next time I'm on a road trip.

 

[thennen]

Interesting. The OBD Fusion app has a horsepower readout. I'll check out numbers on my 4R the next time I'm on a road trip.

It would be interesting to see what your real numbers are. Let us know!

 

[Bluesky 07]

It would be interesting to see what your real numbers are. Let us know!

Will do. What I can say now is that while I don’t recall exact numbers, I was very surprised by how low the hp numbers were in normal driving. Somebody who knows engines can probably explain but it seems only a fraction of the rated hp is typically used.

 

[Roadtripr]

Nice analysis of mpg a different speed. I generally don't get great mpg from a combo of high speed and short stop and go trips

Drag or force of drag is calculated as below. The force of drag increased by the square of the speed (v). As speed is increase the wind resistance goes up exponentially needing more hp and gas to maintain speed. Some engineer will correct me soon...

Fd= 0.5*p*v^2*Cd*A
where

Fd is the drag force,
p is the density of the fluid,[11]
v is the speed of the object relative to the fluid,
A is the cross sectional area, and
Cd is the drag coefficient – a dimensionless number.

 

[AuSeeker]

Will do. What I can say now is that while I don’t recall exact numbers, I was very surprised by how low the hp numbers were in normal driving. Somebody who knows engines can probably explain but it seems only a fraction of the rated hp is typically used.

The rated HP is figure at a certain RPM, but usually it's well above 3000 RPMs, the V6 HP and the V8 HP are rated at different RPMs, the V6 VVT-I is rated at 270 HP at 5600 RPMs on 87 octane, the V8 VVT-I is rated at 271 HP at 4800 RPMs on 87 octane.

So it's hard to really tell what the actual normal HP is on these engines because who runs their T4R at such high RPMs and I think both engines should be rated for HP at the same RPMs so it could be compared apples to apples!!!

The same applies to torque, the torque ratings are done at the same RPMs as the HP so you really can't compare HP or torque on the V6 vs the V8!!

 

[CA-RJ]

I use Fulley to track my MPG. My current stats are:

150 fillups, covering 41,172 miles

AVG MPG: 17.4
AVG PRICE PER GAL: $2.42
AVG PRICE PER MILE: 13.8 CENTS

BEST MPG: 22.9
BEST MILES PER TANK: 439.1

 

[MT Runner]

My wife makes fun of me for bringing so OCD about this stuff. Now this thread makes me feel a little better that I’m not the only one.
I’ve used the Fuelly app (used to be called gas cubby) for years. I’ve logged every mile I’ve driven in the 4Runner since the day I got it in 2012. I also love that app to keep track of oil changes, tire rotations, etc. I use mine ALOT.

Anyway, my stats:

95,583 miles logged over 308 fillups

Avg-18.5
Best-25 (highway with a tailwind, but yes that is correct)

I do tow a small camper a few times a summer and tow our raft somewhere just about every other weekend in the summer, that really kills the mpg’s. On a normal tank, on summer gas (always 91 octane, ethanol free), I’m almost always 20-21ish, but those towing trips and of course winter fuel brings that average down to the 18.5 that it is.

I have a small lift and 32” tires, but I’ve also installed the speedohealer to account for the tire size, so my odometer and mileage’s are still accurate.