Real MPG, Range, Cost Averages based on 25+ fill ups

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BamaDrewski

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I track every gallon of gas, miles driven, cost per gallon, estimated fuel remaining, type of fuel, estimated range, remaining range, etc. Over the course of 25+ fill ups, here is what the average data shows:

Average Cost Per gallon: $2.16
Average City MPG: 17.16
Average EST Range Per Tank: 317.50


This is real data I write down at every fill up. This is not based on and OBD reader or app. I will be happy to send the spreadsheet to anyone who wants it. Yes, I am “OCD” about my truck and mileage. (2000 T4R LTD 4WD with 260K+ miles as of NOV '15)
 
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BamaDrewski said:
I track every gallon of gas, miles driven, cost per gallon, estimated fuel remaining, type of fuel, estimated range, remaining range, etc. Over the course of 25+ fill ups, here is what the average data shows:

Average Cost Per gallon: $2.16
Average City MPG: 17.16
Average EST Range Per Tank: 317.50


This is real data I write down at every fill up. This is not based on and OBD reader or app. I will be happy to send the spreadsheet to anyone who wants it. Yes, I am “OCD” about by truck and mileage. (2000 T4R LTD 4WD with 260K+ miles as of NOV '15)
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Your not alone I do the same exact thing and the number seem pretty close to mine. I've seen a better range per tank running Premium.
 
I notice no difference in between running premium vs regular. I do notice a difference on from whom I buy gas though. Commuting we average 20-21, "other" 15-17.
 
SilverRidgeRunner1 said:
Your not alone I do the same exact thing and the number seem pretty close to mine. I've seen a better range per tank running Premium.
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SilverRidge: Thanks for the input. It seems to be a perpetual question as to how many maximum miles we can get out of a tank of gas. Our fuel gauges seem to be notoriously misleading so it is SO COOL to have some objective confirmation these numbers are not fantasy! Thanks man!
 
BamaDrewski said:
SilverRidge: Thanks for the input. It seems to be a perpetual question as to how many maximum miles we can get out of a tank of gas. Our fuel gauges seem to be notoriously misleading so it is SO COOL to have some objective confirmation these numbers are not fantasy! Thanks man!
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I can tell ya where mine runs out. I've tested with 8 attempts at the same result and it 368 miles. I established this number in June and the number is much lower during the winter months in
 
SilverRidgeRunner1 said:
I can tell ya where mine runs out. I've tested with 8 attempts at the same result and it 368 miles. I established this number in June and the number is much lower during the winter months in
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For years, I made the mistake of depending on the sketchy fuel gauge. I had to finally devise a way to figure "how far I could really drive on a tank" and I hope it will come in handy. I wanna take a road trip to Colorado this winter and get some mileage on my skis so hopefully if I calculate at least 300 range per tank, I won't run out of fuel. The 317.50 range number is based on the CITY mileage average....the highway average should (hopefully) bring me to where you are at the 368 level.....

Is yours a 6 cylinder or 4 banger?
 
BamaDrewski said:
For years, I made the mistake of depending on the sketchy fuel gauge. I had to finally devise a way to figure "how far I could really drive on a tank" and I hope it will come in handy. I wanna take a road trip to Colorado this winter and get some mileage on my skis so hopefully if I calculate at least 300 range per tank, I won't run out of fuel. The 317.50 range number is based on the CITY mileage average....the highway average should (hopefully) bring me to where you are at the 368 level.....

Is yours a 6 cylinder or 4 banger?
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Mine is a 6 Cylinder and that is based off of Hwy
 
I filled up my tank today with premium. Did 160 miles and 14 gallons all city driving! Yes I know 11.4 MPG!

Most gas stations charge $ 0.50 extra for premium. I found one gas station charging $ 0.20 extra for premium! $2.05 per gallon.
 
Just picked up my first 4 runner last week. It has BFGoodrich all terrains. I didn't expect "good" gas mileage , but I didn't expect it to be this bad ! I filled up past F and I've gone 144 miles and I'm pretty close to 1/4 tank left. Could this be from the All Terrains? Its almost all rural highway driving (95%).
 
Zamoros30 said:
Just picked up my first 4 runner last week. It has BFGoodrich all terrains. I didn't expect "good" gas mileage , but I didn't expect it to be this bad ! I filled up past F and I've gone 144 miles and I'm pretty close to 1/4 tank left. Could this be from the All Terrains? Its almost all rural highway driving (95%).
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Depending on the model year, there's a TSB for the fuel gauge on some of these trucks. They hit empty while there's still 4 gallons left in the tank.

If the owner complained about it while the truck was under warranty the dealerships would fix it for free. It involved replacing the fuel tank sending unit, and on some vehicles they had to change something in the gauge cluster.

My truck has this issue, and if I stop to fill up when the light comes on I will consistently only be putting 14.5-15 gallons into an 18.5 gallon tank. On road trips that would net me about 265 miles until I discovered the problem. Now I take note of the mileage when the light pops on, and run about another 40-50 miles before I stop.
 
When my gauge reads a 1/4 tank left I fill up and only put in ~12gal. This morning I was a needle width below 1/4 and it was 11 gallons. I get about 150-165 miles out of this. Averages about 14.5-15.5. I could definitely go farther but with the gauge being that inaccurate I don't like to push my luck.
 
From my experience the easist/cheapest workaround for the notorious 3rd gen fuel gauge is to get an aftermarket device like a Scangauge II or an Ultra Gauge. Once you get them calibrated they will give you a very accurate reading of your DTE (Distance to Empty) as well as a real-time readout on your "instant" and "average" MPG.

Once you've got the gauge calibrated you can ignore the factory fuel gauge.

Very useful tool, and unlike the factory gauges, the aftermarket ones can be calibrated to account for bigger tires, etc.

On the (I think) 99+ 4runners they can also be programmed to show your transmission temperature on the auto trans, which can be very useful especially if you pull a trailer.
 
I can't remember where I posted it but somewhere on this board I did a side-by-side comparison of the Scangauge II and the Ultra Gauge. I currently run both, the SGII is on my 4th gen 4runner and the UG is on my DD Mazda B2300 (AKA Ford Ranger) pickup.

The reason the UG is on the pickup is because my version of the UG does not show trans temps. Since my Mazda is a manual, no need to show trans temps. I have heard the newest version of the UG will show transmission temps, though. Something to consider since it's much less expensive than the Scangauge.
 
jeremyc74 said:
Depending on the model year, there's a TSB for the fuel gauge on some of these trucks. They hit empty while there's still 4 gallons left in the tank.

If the owner complained about it while the truck was under warranty the dealerships would fix it for free. It involved replacing the fuel tank sending unit, and on some vehicles they had to change something in the gauge cluster.

My truck has this issue, and if I stop to fill up when the light comes on I will consistently only be putting 14.5-15 gallons into an 18.5 gallon tank. On road trips that would net me about 265 miles until I discovered the problem. Now I take note of the mileage when the light pops on, and run about another 40-50 miles before I stop.
Click to expand...
It's a 2000 SR5. I will get in contact with the previous owner and ask him about this issue. THanks
 
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