I have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition and was curious how the gad range estimator works. In the summer when I fill up the vehicle I can get an estimated range of 730 km or more, but in the winter, I seem to only get a range estimate of 650 km or less on some occasions. Temperature doesn’t decrease the estimate either, if it is colder out, sometime the estimate is more than when I fill up when it is warmer in the winter.
Range Estimator Questions
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I have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition and was curious how the gad range estimator works. In the summer when I fill up the vehicle I can get an estimated range of 730 km or more, but in the winter, I seem to only get a range estimate of 650 km or less on some occasions. Temperature doesn’t decrease the estimate either, if it is colder out, sometime the estimate is more than when I fill up when it is warmer in the winter.
Just wondering if anyone knew how the gas range estimator worked.
Just wondering if anyone knew how the gas range estimator worked.
Nuke
New member
The on-board uses your average MPG based on a number of variables, any of which can be thrown off easily. Use your own calculator (a.k.a. brain) to determine how many gallons you have left times your current MPG. My MPG can be anywhere from 12 MPG in town on my V6 and even lower in snow to 24 MPG highway, hand calculated since the on-board tends to be conservative.
Could also be "winter gas". Required additives to gasoline in certain areas of North America will lower MPG during the winter months. Can't comment on Canada, where I assume you are since you're talking kilometers in lieu of miles.
If you're not in NA period, can't say at all. I don't know what if anything Europe/rest of the world does to their fuel during the winter months.
Also, to Nuke: I find my estimator to be off on the pessimistic side. I once drove it down to 0 Miles remaining and after filling up, calculated that I still had a smidge over a gallon left in the tank. Who knows? My mileage calculator, oddly enough, is usually pretty close. It reports 20.7 on most dry road tanks while my hand-calculated number is usually 20.51-20.62mpg. Not bad for an AWD V8 Runner - of course, I drive it like an old lady most of the time...lol
If you're not in NA period, can't say at all. I don't know what if anything Europe/rest of the world does to their fuel during the winter months.
Also, to Nuke: I find my estimator to be off on the pessimistic side. I once drove it down to 0 Miles remaining and after filling up, calculated that I still had a smidge over a gallon left in the tank. Who knows? My mileage calculator, oddly enough, is usually pretty close. It reports 20.7 on most dry road tanks while my hand-calculated number is usually 20.51-20.62mpg. Not bad for an AWD V8 Runner - of course, I drive it like an old lady most of the time...lol
eskimochaos
Banned
I find it calculates range based on your past tanks MPG even if you dont reset the comp.
gptoy96
New member
Wow! How do you get 650-730km estimate? I just came back from a road trip and every time I filled up my best estimated range was almost exactly 500km's. After working the motor a few times for a few passes on the highway I was near 480kms or so till next fill up required. Do you have a v6?
eskimochaos
Banned
Prolly, V6 owners frequently see 400+ miles a tank in the US. V8 is ~100 less.
It likes gas at WOT - I can almost watch the gauge drop sometimes.
Nuke
New member
My hand calculated MPG routinely averages 2 MPG less than what the computer reads and others here have stated the same. Some are pretty close but I believe that's the exception rather than the rule. The same applies to my '07 Mustang and others on the Mustang forum confirm that.
If I can keep my engine speed around 1600-1700 RPM on a long haul, I can get 23-24 MPG hand calculated. That's 529-552 MPG on my 23 gallon tank. However, that means driving long distance at 55-60 MPH. No can do... :naughty:
And, I NEVER watch the range reading since I consider that to be useless. I usually tank up before I get to 1/2 tank around town and on road trips I rarely run it below 1/4 tank. I've been in the middle of Bumf**k many times in the middle of the night with no gas station within comfort range.
If I can keep my engine speed around 1600-1700 RPM on a long haul, I can get 23-24 MPG hand calculated. That's 529-552 MPG on my 23 gallon tank. However, that means driving long distance at 55-60 MPH. No can do... :naughty:
And, I NEVER watch the range reading since I consider that to be useless. I usually tank up before I get to 1/2 tank around town and on road trips I rarely run it below 1/4 tank. I've been in the middle of Bumf**k many times in the middle of the night with no gas station within comfort range.
matroe11
New member
I have an iphone app that keeps track of what my mileage is at each fill up and how many gallons i filled up with. I too have noticed a significant drop in the ECUs calculation and my actual calculation. During the summer i was getting 400+ at around 19mpg and now i'm getting 350ish at 15-17 mpg.....maybe i'm trying to get there faster since its so cold 
not sure, but there is a definite drop during the winter.
not sure, but there is a definite drop during the winter.
gptoy96
New member
I know, and it's frustrating to me to have just filled my tank and by the time I do my short drive home the guage has already started dropping..
I know on paper the difference between v6 and v8 mileage is pretty slim, but with real world examples like this it hurts. I love the v8 and all but for a guy like me that doesn't really need it, it really makes me think I shouldn't have passed up that v6 I was looking at when I bought my v8.
Big_John
New member
No doubt if you drive 55-60 your range SKY ROCKETS, as much as plumits if you cross 70
but then again we dont drive SUV's for the prius like MPG do we 
chayos00
New member
Most of the time I'm at the 480-520 miles range on a fill up. I usually average 22.5-23.X most of the time. As long as I keep my foot out of it!
Uneek
Super Moderator
No doubt if you drive 55-60 your range SKY ROCKETS, as much as plumits if you cross 70
:iagree: The best mileage is the slowest speed in which the transmission shifts into overdrive.
I'll lose 2-3 mpg going 80mph, 65-70 helps MPG's and avoids speeding tickets. The 4Runner's aerodynamics isn't the best.
