V6 vs. V8 gas mileage
- Thread starter jbmccul
- Start date
klennop
New member
Are you saying this from experience? Because I had a Tahoe with a v8 before this and I can tell you from experience that my v8 4Runner gets better gas mileage than my Tahoe did.
Koz
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6starbucks
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i am averaging 27 hwy and 22 city with my v6. and with my hydrocarbon filter still in.
i am also using premium 91 gas
i am also using premium 91 gas
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MICA4R
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27 on the highway! what speed? no way... not possible.
Snesley Wipes
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I do the "total miles / fill up gallons" method to calculate and pretty much get a solid 18 mpg every time. I drive about 60% highway and 40% city consistently as well. Also have the Yakima Fatcat 6 on permanently. Not bad for a V8 IMO.
Snes
Snes
Only way to get 27 mpg out of a 4th gen is to drop it off a cliff.
6starbucks
New member
i was going 60
Doozi
New member
We do get better mileage at higher altitudes, but 22/27 seems very unusual for a V6 Gen4! I don't run 91 octane in anything up here, but maybe that makes a difference. You don't need it at altitude (with this stock engine) but maybe paying more at the pump gets you the extra 3-4mph over what I get. I just wonder if it calculates out to be worth it.
Koz
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6starbucks
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im not sure if they higher octane helps. but when the price difference is 20 cents i really dont care.....and it gives me slightly more power aswell
6starbucks
New member
no i ran down to texas to see my brother and i got 27 in new mexico in the stupid safety corridor and about half of texas going 60mph.I hand calculated it. this was also the spot where i got the highest mpg i have ever got in all my cars(2009 vw passat 2.0t 36mpg, 2010 vw toureg tdi 40mpg, 2004 chevy suburban v8 20mpg)
and the computer isn't accurate for me because i have 265/70
and the computer isn't accurate for me because i have 265/70
6starbucks
New member
i also ran out of gas and had to get a ride from some one for about 10 miles to get some gas.
so i went from full to completely empty
oh and i forgot.....its not completely stock my dad put in a fuel regulator in and idk what its set at.
so i went from full to completely empty
oh and i forgot.....its not completely stock my dad put in a fuel regulator in and idk what its set at.
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get2thechoppah
New member
Whatever figures people are quoting for their fuel economy aren't important. What are important are the inherent characteristics of both the V6 and V8 engines. The V8 produces around 13% more horsepower (max), 15% more torque (max), has two additional cylinders and weighs ~200 lbs more than the V6 engine (I'm using 2006 SE edition). There is no way - repeat, NO WAY - that the V8 engine will match or even slightly trail the V6 in terms of fuel economy. Think about it - if it was so easy to improve performance while barely affecting the fuel economy, why would engineers even bother with a V6? If the V6 gets 19 MPG and the V8 gets 18 MPG, who in the world would even consider a V6?
Forget what the EPA ratings say - they're crap, and we've known that for years. The V8 is going to use significantly more fuel because it is designed to; We're feeding more pistons to produce more HP and Torque. I think this discussion is akin to discussing the recoil between a .38-cal and a .40-cal; the .40-cal bullet is heavier and produces greater muzzle energy. Therefore, the recoil will be worse. No matter how we try to sugar-coat things, the physics behind the reaction cannot be negotiated.
My previous ride was an E39 M5, which had a marvelous V8 394HP/368FT-LBS engine that leapt like a lion when I stabbed on the throttle. Which brings me to another point - V8 driving habits. Nobody who has a V8 tiptoes around town - we USE that torque because it puts a smile on our face. I would call it a "common sense" theory that if we took 10 guys and let them drive V6 4runners half the day, and then V8 4runners the other half of the day, the data would tell us that people absolutely had heavier feet in the V8.
Don't get me wrong, the V8 is the preferable engine for folks who 1) want a muscle-car feel in an SUV and/or 2) tow regularly. That's fine, but don't be fooled into thinking that the fuel consumption between the two models will be negligible. The V8 has about 15% better HP and Torque, and I'd be willing to bet that on average it gets about 15% worse fuel economy, too. Add on the "performance" penalty for lead feet, and I'd set a safe estimate that the V8 gets about 20% lower fuel economy than the V6.
Forget what the EPA ratings say - they're crap, and we've known that for years. The V8 is going to use significantly more fuel because it is designed to; We're feeding more pistons to produce more HP and Torque. I think this discussion is akin to discussing the recoil between a .38-cal and a .40-cal; the .40-cal bullet is heavier and produces greater muzzle energy. Therefore, the recoil will be worse. No matter how we try to sugar-coat things, the physics behind the reaction cannot be negotiated.
My previous ride was an E39 M5, which had a marvelous V8 394HP/368FT-LBS engine that leapt like a lion when I stabbed on the throttle. Which brings me to another point - V8 driving habits. Nobody who has a V8 tiptoes around town - we USE that torque because it puts a smile on our face. I would call it a "common sense" theory that if we took 10 guys and let them drive V6 4runners half the day, and then V8 4runners the other half of the day, the data would tell us that people absolutely had heavier feet in the V8.
Don't get me wrong, the V8 is the preferable engine for folks who 1) want a muscle-car feel in an SUV and/or 2) tow regularly. That's fine, but don't be fooled into thinking that the fuel consumption between the two models will be negligible. The V8 has about 15% better HP and Torque, and I'd be willing to bet that on average it gets about 15% worse fuel economy, too. Add on the "performance" penalty for lead feet, and I'd set a safe estimate that the V8 gets about 20% lower fuel economy than the V6.
2003 4runner 4x4 v8. I have monitored 2 complete fuel tanks the past 2 times I've filled up. Today I paid $67 to fill up, previous time $69, dont remember at what gas price. Anyway 23 gallon tank and I got 330 miles on the tank. The gas light was on but I assume if I really wanted to I could have squeezed a few more before empty. I usually see around 15-16mpg city and 20-22 highway. On an average tank my mpg monitor says 19mpg overall for 330 miles.
I havent done the math on paper, just going by the factory mpg monitor. I run 87 octane fuel and I do not have a lead foot. I drive 75% highway 18 miles to work 1 way 4 days per week.
Stock tires/suspension, only performance mod is K&N replacement filter.
I havent done the math on paper, just going by the factory mpg monitor. I run 87 octane fuel and I do not have a lead foot. I drive 75% highway 18 miles to work 1 way 4 days per week.
Stock tires/suspension, only performance mod is K&N replacement filter.
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truckmike26
New member
Finally, a V6/V8 debate thread.
I think this guy ended up with a v6. However i like what get 2 tha choppa said, forget about mpg ratings. It comes down to hp's. If you're considering getting a 4runner get a v8. Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it. I drove the v6 and it was peppy. However there's nothing like V8 POWER BABY! We can have show and tell all day long. I get this, I get that yadda yadda yadda. I got a V8 and wouldn't have it any other way. If you're worried about mpg's get a PRIUS.
