TERRIBLE mpg!

[ledger33]

I am not attacking anyone. I simply don't believe you calculated it correctly because unless it has a SC, the 3rd gen 4Runner doesn't get a tank average of 20 MPG inn the city. 18 maybe but not 20. Its not an insult, I just don't think you are calculating correctly.

As far as who is Sr or Jr - you are the one who brought that up. I have never seen a member with a large post count (eg Sr) call out a noob as Jr. The only time Sr/Jr comes up in conversation on T4R is when someone new complains about the label. In this case you are complaining.

Hey Brian, It is what it is. I really don't have to prove anything to you or anyone else who chooses not to believe another members post. I don't even know what the factory RECOMMENDED MPG was so why would I lie? Everyone's driving habits are different and for anyone to call someone out is pathetic, why not just say great for you and leave it there?

 

[BrianSD_42]

It's not an issue of honesty. People mis-calculate their MPG all the time on this site.

The factory mpg can be found on fueleconomy.gov. Other sources would be fuel app online database.

It is 15-17 for a V6. Sure some people do better but I am highly skeptical of a claim of 20 average.

If you have a SC it is a bit different because those aren't accounted for in the original specs.

In order to calculate properly you need to fill to 1 click, drive around until tank is near empty and re-fill 15+ gallons then calculate using the mileage from the odometer.

Anyways I'm not trying to be PIA but I just want to stress 20 in the city is well outside the norm.

 

[Skidmarcx]

Unless you're driving 40mph without getting caught at stop lights I call BS on 20MPG city average

 

[04desertrunner]

with my 265/75 tire, lift, and roof basket i average 13 mpg all city, 15 mixed, all highway 17. If you guys want to complain about worst mpg then you can barrow my dodge ram

 

[Nunyabiz]

I can not imagine that "winter temps in the 60s & 70s" is going to make any difference in Southern Cal or that they even have "winter gas".

I have gotten right between 12.8-13.1mpg straight city driving for 2 years now and have done everything in the book EXCEPT what I have just done in the past few days (changed intake & air filter to an Airraid jr kit) put Nitrogen in my tires because in my upcoming trip I will be going from below sea level to upwards of 5000' above, from hot 90+ to cold 20s and I want my air pressure to remain as close to 44PSI as possible through all that change. Since today I also found a small hole in my muffler "stock" I am going to change it out to a 24" Magnaflow on Thursday.

I have in the past 2 years, changed water pump and all belts including timing plus Thermostat, changed the front 02 sensor, changed all oil and gear lube to 100% synthetic, put in the best spark plugs and wires, cleaned the MAF and Throttle body, changed fuel filter, PCV valve, bought a scangauge, I use 6oz of Lucas about every 2000 miles or so.

Except on rare occasions I drive 100% city driving and in a town of which is probably really bad for MPG because if I am not going uphill I am going downhill and cant go 1 mile between between stop lights in any direction and we do have winter gas and the last hold out for real unblended gas (Costco) is now "up to 10% Ethanol".

I MAY have gained 1/2mpg with all that so far, if anything.

HOWEVER, even though I have only driven about 1/3rd of tank of gas so far and some of that in AWD in pouring rain and pressure in my tires too low it appears as though I might be getting a bit better mileage just from changing the Intake Tube from stock to the air raid and from thin K&N to a no oil Airriad filter.
Have not actually filled up and checked mpg yet though so it could be a figment of my imagination but the scangauge which is usually accurate within about 2/10ths of a gal is saying I am getting around 14mpg which would be shocking if true.
So after changing the muffler to a higher flow on Thursday and the 44psi Nitrogen in my tires today I have high hopes of achieving an extra 1MPG finally.

 

[Brian757]

Bad MPGs = Story of my Life

 

[slapdappy]

99 4R ltd. 180,000 miles. Getting lower mileage than seemed reasonable. 15 mpg mostly city/suburbs but some highway. driving as gently and smoothly as possible. Already installed new plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, PCV valve and grommet. All Toyota. Had also hit most connectors with electric contact cleaner and dielectric grease. Had cleaned MAF and throttle body following J.A.s advice (Toyota 4Runner Highlander Mass Air Flow Sensor MAF cleaning). Front oxygen sensor replaced at 160,000.
Made appointment at great shop here in Denver (Colchin in Arvada, actually) for a BG Induction system cleaning. Thinking maybe fuel injectors and throttle body and valves etc could use a cleaning. Also wanted their expert diagnosis of other issues. They checked for and found no codes. They drove it and 'monitored data while on the road'. 'FOUND THAT THE COMPUTER WAS TRYING TO REMOVE 9% FUEL'. it was running very rich. 'FOUND 2 VACUUM LEAKS'. 'MAF IS DIRTY'. .
Vacuum leaks were not broken lines. One line had loose fit over male end, so they cut a bit off and zip tied it. other leak was loose clamp on intake tube (my fault). I never would have figured out the vacuum leaks. Obvious source of excess air causing computer to release extra gas to keep correct gas/oxygen ratio.
Dirty MAF was a surprise because I had recently done what i assumed was very thorough cleaning. It was not clean. It was very dirty. They cleaned it using solvent (MAF cleaner?) and a pipe cleaner. I said, but you're not supposed to touch the delicate sensor wire. They are experienced pros. They know what they're doing and how to do it. They actually scrub it clean. Gently. But actually scrub.
And they did the BG induction service.
Road tested again to monitor data. 'FUEL TRIM IS BACK IN LINE .8%' The .8% was actually on the lean side, as opposed to .8% on the rich side. It was now within spec. 9% vs .8%. Huge difference.
So now I have a clean MAF, no vacuum leaks, and correct fuel trim. I also know the vibration from 2300-3000 rpms is due to a worn transmission mount. Saggy transmission = misaligned drive shafts.
This was 2 days ago. I filled up afterwards and will let you know mpg at next fill up. I assume it will be 10-20% better but…..