New owner 2008 SR5 4x4 - MPG / Range gauge

[thomast]

Hello - I just purchased a 2008 SR 5 with 55k on it. I've had it about a week now.

I'm really enjoying the 4runner so far, but questioning the MPG average gauge. I haven't done an accurate test yet, but with a 23 gallon tank, it seems to be going through gas faster than my 2003 VW Eurovan (both are rated about the same mpg's). The Eurovan has a 21.1 gallon tank.

My MPG AVERAGE gauge says I'm getting 19.3 mpg, but I'm having a hard time believing that. Seems less. Also, the 19.3 never changes. City, Hwy, it's always at 19.3. Shouldn't it fluctuate depending on how and where I'm driving?

Just wondering if I should trust that gauge or are they not very accurate? Also, what should I really expect to get in mpgs average for a 2008 v6 4x4?

Thanks!

 

[RCs4Runner]

Do hand calculating w/ your tripometer vs the gallons you filled up with.

 

[cloudrunner]

I have the V6 as well and usually get between 16 and 18 depending upon how much I get on the throttle that week.

 

[xpeppyx]

The mpg and distance to empty are pretty much garbage. The mpg are at least off by 2mpg and it doesn't change because it's a cumulative average from the last time you reset it. Distance to empty is also calculated on your last 10 fill ups or something, so it's all over the place and useless.

With the crappy winter gas and mostly city driving I get 14.5-15mpg. Mostly highway driving and I get 19mpg. Those are hand calculated from fill ups.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Just wondering if I should trust that gauge or are they not very accurate? Also, what should I really expect to get in mpgs average for a 2008 v6 4x4?

Thanks!

We call the MPG gauge the "Lie-o-meter." : It's worthless.

You can use the "range" gauge as a general guideline, it's probably not a bad idea to fill up when it gets down around 20 miles or so, but realistically there's a reserve of probably at least another 25 miles or so before you're really empty.

As far as what kind of MPG to expect, the normal range is between about 16 and 20 but it will be dependent on a lot of factors like what kind of terrain/traffic/roads you're driving on, how hard you accellerate, etc.

If you really need to know your true MPG and range, best advice I can give is to get a Scangauge or similar device. The Scangauge does the same thing as the MPG gauge on the dashboard with one huge difference: It can be calibrated while the factory gauge cannot.

I run a Scangauge II on my 4runner and it's quite accurate. It accurately predicted when my 3rd gen (99) T4R would run out of gas in the middle of Oregon in 2012.

 

[Jailguard]

I like the mpg meter the wife thinks I am getting better mileage and doesn't bug me about having a 4x4.

 

[DarenS]

My gas gauge and MTE are both off. When they read empty/0 miles left my tank still has 3 gallons in it. The most I've ever put in is 20 gallons.

Daren

 

[JustSomeName]

its not called the wish-o-meter for nothing!