Poor Fuel Economy?

[nvmyrc51]

Ok, I purchased a 2001 4Runner, 3.4 V6, with 151,000 miles. It has had the timing belt done once already but is due again. Truck checked out fine at an auto shop with the cursory inspection. Here is the problem: I am averaging right around 300 miles per tank of fuel. I had a 2004 Tacoma and if I remember correctly I was getting 350 miles plus per tank. First question is: Is this normal for a 4Runner? Second, if the answer is no, what should I be looking at? Truck starts fine, runs fine, everything to include AC does work. It is my daily driver. Less than 10 miles to work with a 50/50 mix of hwy and city driving. I baby it. Also tell me if this is possible? It seems the first half of the tank I get close to 200 miles. After I hit half a tank it drops precipitously only getting another 100. COULD it be a poor sealing gas cap and I am getting evaporation? My reasoning is the fuller the tank is less sloshing is going on so less vapor is being created to get out of the cap but as the tank gets down lower it can move more and create more vapor and therefore it can escape through the old cap. Thanks for reading.

Craig,

 

[SweetWaterSurprise]

I know you're new here, but honestly you need to search this topic. It's been discussed many times over. Yes it's possible, they suck on gas.

 

[Millerad1651]

Man I wish I got 300 miles a tank! That is completely normal, if not more than usual. Next time you fill up, clear the odometer. Drive until you fill up again. Take the miles driven divided by gallons put in. That's should get you a close total MPGs. Most stock are around 17-20 depending on highway/city mix. My wife's stock 98 gets about 18.5 MPGs. And the more miles for the first half of the tank is normal. BOth mine and my wife's do that...although I'm only at about 100 miles by the half way mark.

 

[Avwizz]

100 at the half is pretty normal for me as well. it also depends on what part of the country you live in, I got better economy living in the NW and NE than here in florida. I got 20 mpg one time from Maine to CT and just about crapped my pants, re-did my math like three times too.

 

[farmerjon]

300 miles/tank is good if you drive with a light foot... I get that occasionally but that's really emptying my tank out and such.

 

[VolcanoT4R]

300 miles per tank sounds about right. +/- 10% depending on driving habits.

Depending on which Tacoma you had, fuel mileage may have been better. The 4-cyl base gets better fuel economy than the 6-cyl double-cab.

On stock tires (225/75R15) my '01 SR5 was getting between 20-21 mpg. My current tires (265/75R16) only get between 17-18 mpg. In 5 months of ownership I've only put 2500 miles on it, so I'm not too concerned with fuel economy. My DD is a Honda Accord that gets around 30 mpg.

 

[Jasonredwood]

I wish I got 300 miles per tank!

 

[montana_jeepn]

I wish I got 300 miles per tank!

This.

I filled up at 1/3 tank today. After 145 miles, she took 11 gallons. I currently have the front skid plate off so hopefully it will improve after I put it back on...lol.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Agreed. I wish I got 300 miles per tank. I didn't even get that when my truck was stock.

BTW if you go to fuel economy .gov you will see the MPG estimates were revised for this vehicle down to 15/17.

So if you are getting anything between 15.0 - 17.0 MPG that is perfectly normal. Anything better is a bonus.

:usa2:

 

[VolcanoT4R]

Agreed. I wish I got 300 miles per tank. I didn't even get that when my truck was stock.

BTW if you go to fuel economy .gov you will see the MPG estimates were revised for this vehicle down to 15/17.

So if you are getting anything between 15.0 - 17.0 MPG that is perfectly normal. Anything better is a bonus.

:usa2:

You can't put any stock in the numbers posted for fuel economy...I had a 2013 Nissan Altima rated at 38 mpg highway; yeah, RIGHT, I used an entire tank on the highway and even then 34 mpg was as good as it got. 31mpg was pretty typical. My 1996 Accord averaged 30mpg. THAT's how far we've come in getting better fuel economy. Man I wish I could have figured out what the heck was wrong with that Accord so I could have kept it.

Apologies for the tangent...I think the 3rd Gen could get right at 20 if it was left stock and all components were in good working order.

 

[ELock3rdGen]

300 and you are complaining??? I'm seeing 230 and that is on the freeway. But all kidding aside I get somewhere between 200-230 per tank. It all depends on how I'm driving. Sometimes I think my 4runner is a super car so I'll get 180. But 300 us not what I'm seeing.
A lot of guys will till you the same thing.

 

[yotallycrazy]

I struggle to get 250

 

[BrianSD_42]

Actually I do put stock in Fuel Economy . Gov

What I don't put stock in is the ability of people on the Internet to know how to actually measure MPG.

Alternative sources are the phone app websites that post their databases ... Those also confirm 15-18-ish.

I have noticed the 00 & 01s tend to report 1-2 mpg better than the 96-99s.

 

[red-runner]

I just ran two full tanks through my JDM swap, and it looks like I'm getting about 14 MPG. Not great, but I don't think I'd expect any better with a roof basket, bigger tires, a bunch of heavy armor, and constant AC. I get a little over 180 miles for 13 gallons (I fill around the 1/8 line, which is almost 13 gallons exactly per fill -- lots of gas left in the tank, but I am paranoid about running empty).

I think 300 miles is good for a 3rd gen.

 

[Brian757]

I get around 240-250 miles per tank.

 

[Jasonredwood]

Thats about where Im at as well. 220 when I'm towing. I have gotten as good as 270 on a long trip.

 

[Nunyabiz]

I went over 364 miles on 17 gallons one time coming back from the west coast.

On a 7,770 mile trip I burned 391.66 Gallons for an average of 19.83mpg and that was while hauling 800# of crap in the cargo area plus my wife and I and Chihuahua.
With 3" lift, 255/75/17 tires.

That was 95% all highway mileage.

But on the flipside here in my area, everyday stop and go, short trips, up and down hills, high humidity and so forth I feel lucky when I see 13MPG for 100% city driving with zero in the cargo area.

In general these trucks do not get very good MPG when compared to newer vehicles.

 

[c310sar]

Ive had my 4runner for about 1 1/2 years now, and was on the same boat as you man, turns out its a common thing. they're gas guzzlers unfortunately, but seriously fun to drive. I am totally with you on the whole after "half a tank, the gas gauge indicator just drops" but hey, its a gas consuming vehicle.

I got around 13-14 a gallon and about 300mi a tank, then i ended up lifting it and adding 32" duratrac tires and decreased that to 10-11mi a gallon, but i can tell you its so much fun to drive it lifted, i know im going off topic but its worth it and i suggest you lift it if you ever get serious with your 4runner. i know right now im preaching to the wrong crowd dealing with lack of mpg's and all but for future reference's lift it! lol

 

[c310sar]

I went over 364 miles on 17 gallons one time coming back from the west coast.

On a 7,770 mile trip I burned 391.66 Gallons for an average of 19.83mpg and that was while hauling 800# of crap in the cargo area plus my wife and I and Chihuahua.
With 3" lift, 255/75/17 tires.

That was 95% all highway mileage.

But on the flipside here in my area, everyday stop and go, short trips, up and down hills, high humidity and so forth I feel lucky when I see 13MPG for 100% city driving with zero in the cargo area.

In general these trucks do not get very good MPG when compared to newer vehicles.

hey bro, how can i add a picture at the bottom of every reply i post? such as yours and your 4runner picture, thanks!

 

[Nunyabiz]

hey bro, how can i add a picture at the bottom of every reply i post? such as yours and your 4runner picture, thanks!

Click on "User CP" top left hand corner, that is the Control Panel.
Got to "Edit Signature" and just add your picture.