New comer, old question

[MN4R]

Hello everyone, I purchased my first 4runner (2011 BLK SR5, leather, roof) in December last year. What a great forum I found after that.
I have been enjoying reading the posts and finally I decided to register and ask an old question about milage.
I know some of you have complained sometimes T4R gives you about only 17 mpg. But my T4R consistantly give me 14~15miles/gallon. I also tried the ways mentioned here in the forum:
1. re-calculate by real miles/ gallons I put in.
2. Pump tires. The funny thing was I don't need to do that. I checked the tire pressure last week and it was 40psi each tire. I didn't do anything to the tire since I drove out of dealer's lot.
3. I consider myself as a "mild" driver.
4. I don't really idle my T4R.

I do live in MN (cold and long winter) and drive mostly city road. Since my work place is not too far aways, I have only put 1200 miles on it so far. Don't how much those facors matters. And thank you for any input/suggestion.

 

[Ryan_S]

How far is your daily commute? Does the engine warm up to operating temps by the time you get to work? If not that might contribute to it.

Where in MN are you at? I'm in the northern suburbs. Last summer I would average ~19.5 to and from work. All winter though I had a hard time breaking 18, crap winter gas. This is with GY Duratrac Load E tires, 50lbs each.

I try to accelerate pretty slowly, maybe that has something to do with it. Although I don't drive slow once I get to speed. Usually ~60-75 on the way to work.

 

[1engineer]

Do you always use the same gas station? How far is work? Lots of stoplights or intersections?

 

[MN4R]

How far is your daily commute? Does the engine warm up to operating temps by the time you get to work? If not that might contribute to it.

Where in MN are you at? I'm in the northern suburbs. Last summer I would average ~19.5 to and from work. All winter though I had a hard time breaking 18, crap winter gas. This is with GY Duratrac Load E tires, 50lbs each.

I try to accelerate pretty slowly, maybe that has something to do with it. Although I don't drive slow once I get to speed. Usually ~60-75 on the way to work.

I am in SE MN (Rochester). Only 4 miles one way. I have to agree with your opinion about winter gas. thank you.

 

[MN4R]

Do you always use the same gas station? How far is work? Lots of stoplights or intersections?

I only use KwikTrip. (There were used to be BP, econco, now all disappered..:ybrick. Let me count, in 4 miles one way, about 3 stop signs plus 7 stop lights.

 

[MN4R]

How far is your daily commute? Does the engine warm up to operating temps by the time you get to work? If not that might contribute to it.
.

it took me about 8 minutes to get to office and I usually just fire and go. You might be right, the engine is not warm enough yet.

 

[Quentin]

it took me about 8 minutes to get to office and I usually just fire and go. You might be right, the engine is not warm enough yet.

Yup, you aren't getting your engine warm in the time it takes to get to work. Having a 5 mile commute, I run into the same issue particularly during the winter. Spending 6 minutes of your 8 minute commute with the truck in "warming" mode and city driving is a recipe for bad gas mileage.

My winter commute: ~19mpg
My trips driving similar roads but longer distances: ~22mpg