Unbelievable Gas mileage
- Thread starter JimG
- Start date
phattyduck
Elite Member
If you auto-fill and stop the first time it stops, it is fairly consistent. 3 tanks or so is enough to even out any odd fill-ups.
-Charlie
AuSeeker
Elite Member
I disagree with that assumption, it may work OK if you use the same pump everytime, but even though I fill up at the same gas station on a regular basis I almost never get to use the same pump everytime, it's a very busy gas station, the automatic shut off feature is in the handle and each one is a bit different/sensitive, I always fill my tank until I see constant fuel near the top of the filler neck, I have notice the different pumps shutting off at different tank levels and then to get the tank filled to my liking see as much as 1 to 1 1/2 gallons differences in between the various pumps.
octanejunkie
Elite Member
Even if that kind of MPG were possible in a 3rd Gen, I doubt you'd get that while throwing codes.
I would perform all scheduled maintenance required to date and see where that takes you. If you were having sensor errors, you should get codes specific to each, TPS, CTS, etc.
Fuel pressure isn't easy to check at the service port without the correct adapter, and the FSM omits a fuel filter change interval - I suspect unless you are getting lean codes fuel delivery may not be the issue.
Regarding using the fill/mileage MPG calculation method, I hand fill till it leaks out the top of the fill neck - that is the only way (short of weighing your fuel) that I've found to introduce a repeatable constant given that each station/pump's calibrations and tolerances will be different. Remember, the State Department of Weights and Measures re-certifies fuel pumps annually - never trust the pump's meter.
FWIW, I've never seen more than 21 MPG highway that didn't include an extended roll down a hill in neutral.
I would perform all scheduled maintenance required to date and see where that takes you. If you were having sensor errors, you should get codes specific to each, TPS, CTS, etc.
Fuel pressure isn't easy to check at the service port without the correct adapter, and the FSM omits a fuel filter change interval - I suspect unless you are getting lean codes fuel delivery may not be the issue.
Regarding using the fill/mileage MPG calculation method, I hand fill till it leaks out the top of the fill neck - that is the only way (short of weighing your fuel) that I've found to introduce a repeatable constant given that each station/pump's calibrations and tolerances will be different. Remember, the State Department of Weights and Measures re-certifies fuel pumps annually - never trust the pump's meter.
FWIW, I've never seen more than 21 MPG highway that didn't include an extended roll down a hill in neutral.
jgue467
Senior Member
I don't believe that is a good idea. I've done it without issues (till I read otherwise) but read it can cause issues with the fuel recovery system. Just passing along what I've read from several others on here..... I think that's what makes getting consistent mpg readings difficult, different pumps, different degrees of level ground, temp of fuel in ground, etc. So i think we're supposed to stop pumping after 2 clicks? :cowboy:
phattyduck
Elite Member
Not so true on California pumps (they have a very sensitive vapor recovery system)... My actual fill-ups and my Scangauge calculated fuel used are nearly always within 0.3 gallons of each other, even at different stations and pumps throughout the state.
I would avoid overfilling the tank - you can flood the evap system if you do that, requiring an expensive fix (especially true on the 01/02's with the rear-mounted evap canister).
-Charlie
octanejunkie
Elite Member
Good to know, but I need all the fuel I can carry to go the 323.6 miles from Mojave, CA to Gardnerville, NV in one shot without stopping.
Dammit. I guess I can guestimate one gallon less and stop for a gallon or two at Topaz Lake (20 miles from Gardnerville)
Dude, you have to be on fumes by the time you roll into Gardnerville...
I get +/- 19 mpg around town, and 17-23 mpg on the interstae, depending on what speed I drive. 60 mph seems to be the magic number (I once got 23 mpg running an entire tank on the interstate at 60 mph). Above 70 mph, and my mileage gets dismal.
Not sure . . . I just sprayed everything in there down a couple times with QD electronics cleaner while I had things apart to get at the plugs and coils.
JRZEE2000TR4LTD
Senior Member
Check the coil boots for cracks. They can cause misfires if damaged.
https://www.amazon.com/Prenco-Coil-...automotive&vehicleId=3&vehicleType=automotive
phattyduck
Elite Member
I always get gas at the Bishop Paiute casino station when headed up 395...
The head winds up those valleys can kill mileage, but on a normal trip I will get ~22mpg highway. When my 4Runner was new, it would get 24-26mpg on the highway (my Dad had it then... very conservative driver).
-Charlie
octanejunkie
Elite Member
Bishop Paiute is expensive compared to ARCO in both Mojave and Gardnerville. But I hate stopping more than the $1 a gallon price difference.
I do the drive 2x a month and never stop anymore, but I have to fill to the tippy top.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
I do the drive 2x a month and never stop anymore, but I have to fill to the tippy top.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
tvpierce
New member
I believe your '99 has the newer version MAF sensor. If so, this is what you need to clean: (scroll down about 1 page to the "
Cleaning the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor" section. Has 5 step-by-step pics to follow)
Toyota Maintenance: Tacoma and 4Runner 30K Mile Service
Thankyou!
I'm in the same club with mine, with injector and coil issues. This stuff can be maddening.
phattyduck
Elite Member
If you can take the downtime, remove all the injectors to have the cleaned and checked...
-Charlie
-Charlie
Similar threads
