V6 vs. V8 gas mileage

[MikeInNH]

The belt is every 100k miles, not sure if the chain ever needs to replaced. I'm sure it does eventually but I don't think it has a set maintenance interval.

Timing chains do need to be replaced. Usually after 250k miles. The nice thing about a chain it usually lets you know when it's starting to go. Chains usually don't break..but they do stretch and this can cause it to slip a gear. And the V6 is an interference engine..this could mean an end to the engine.

I usually keep my vehicles well past 300k miles...so I may be looking at a timing chain replacement. I haven't replaced a timing chain on a vehicle in over 30 years. Timing belts are far less complicated...so not sure if I'll do the job or just take it to a mechanic or just buy a new truck when the chain starts to make noise. So far it's fine...just under 200k miles.

 

[CNJ Runner]

I have a 2006 v6. If I had discovered this board before I purchased it I would have gotten a v8. No doubt about it.
Maybe its because my v6 with 265/70/17 c load duratracs on stock rims, hfc delete, a yakima fat cat 6 ski rack, all pro spacers, and a leveling kit gets me about 12.5 mpg's(hand calculated), REGULARLY, driving around suburbia without a heavy foot...the way I see it. Its already slurrping down gas, a v8 would only make it more fun to drive any maybe improve gas mileage.

 

[hayes55987]

Wanted to chime in...
I feel I am getting just horrible gas mileage but maybe that is just me.

I have a 2004 V8 Sport Edition with all-season tires on it.

My computer says I get about 15.2mpg but so far I have driven around 168 miles from a full tank and am at about 1/4 of a tank. This is almost 9mpg??

Is there anything that can be ruining my mpg this badly? I feel like I do about 75% highway (around 65 - 70mph) and 25% city. I generally don't accelerate to quickly but every so often I like to have some fun.

 

[jimithing]

I have a 2006 v6. If I had discovered this board before I purchased it I would have gotten a v8. No doubt about it.
Maybe its because my v6 with 265/70/17 c load duratracs on stock rims, hfc delete, a yakima fat cat 6 ski rack, all pro spacers, and a leveling kit gets me about 12.5 mpg's(hand calculated), REGULARLY, driving around suburbia without a heavy foot...the way I see it. Its already slurrping down gas, a v8 would only make it more fun to drive any maybe improve gas mileage.

You should be getting better than that. I drive pretty much nothing but suburbia and average 16ish. How old are your spark plugs? You might try to seafoam it too and see if that helps.

 

[ceasar6]

v8 v. v6

I have a v8 2006. Sr5, KN air filter city/ suburb traffic 16.5 inPittsburgh. Pa
love the V8, adding brand new BF Goodrich Rugged Terrains, will see if mpg goes up or down.

 

[Casper421]

You should be getting better than that. I drive pretty much nothing but suburbia and average 16ish. How old are your spark plugs? You might try to seafoam it too and see if that helps.

He has the 03 V8 and you have an 07 V6...apples and oranges.

 

[jimithing]

He has the 03 V8 and you have an 07 V6...apples and oranges.

Or.... maybe you should re-read who I'm responding to. It's the guy with the 2006 V6.

 

[CNJ Runner]

Casper, I got my truck at 23k and now have 65k on it. I changed the plugs about 4,00 miles ago because I had never changed them. I'm 1000 miles away from an oil change so right before, I will seafoam it. I've also never done the diff, transfer case, or transmission so those will be done very soon.

Could the diffs not being change affect milage, its a 4wd sr5, so im usually in 2wd unless im in conditions that warrant 4wd or off roading.

 

[Forrest4runner]

Question for the guys who are lifted and 4x4.... So what about the mpg difference between the v6 and v8 4x4's since the v8 is all time 4x4? Next question what about a 4x4 when you lift it v6 vs v8 mpg?

 

[M1911]

So what about the mpg difference between the v6 and v8 4x4's since the v8 is all time 4x4?

It is not huge. 1-2 mpg. But at $4/gallon, every little bit helps.

Next question what about a 4x4 when you lift it v6 vs v8 mpg?

While I suspect that the difference would be roughly the same, you're never going to get enough data to really know. Finding two 4Runner drivers who used the same lift, the same tires, drive in the same place the same way is basically impossible.

 

[truckmike26]

Times two. It's splitting hairs. So many variables. Besides, generally, once one decides to lift a truck to add larger wheels/tires, the nick-picking efficiency thing kinda goes out the window.

 

[truckmike26]

Canadians pay $5/U.S. gallon for the same gasoline. Weird.

 

[TRDCal]

I hate to bump an mpg thread and I'm being a bit of a hypcrite because normally I'm not one to care about gas mileage. But just for the heck of it I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and see what all the hubbub is about.

So I filled up with 87, drove 220kms and then when refilling it took 27L. The entire time my revs never went above 2500 (which was painful ). Driving was 70% highway doing between 60-70mph. Truck computer read 12.1L/100 and my calculation came out to 12.27L/100. I met in the middle with 12.2L/100 = 19mpg. I'm confident that if I stayed closer to 60mph I could have squeezed 20-21 out of her.

Now I laugh because my v8 can get better mpg then my dad's v6 B4000

Note: I put off buying tires so I'm back to running stock size 265/65r17 Michelins that came with it. It's nice to have an accurate speedometer again but they have the mall crawler look.

 

[M1911]

The computer on my '03 V8 is about 2 mpg optimistic.

 

[Radial GT]

Mine has 125K on it now. Stock SR5 4wd w/16" rims

I just changed the plugs the beginning of the winter, factory OEM plugs. Amsoil Severe Gear in the diffs and transfer case, and also did the Seafoam before I changed the plugs.

I average 19.7 in the summer here with Michelin LT2 tires. My winter tires, Continental Winterextremes get my about 16-17 mpg, but that includes alot of cold winter morning warm up times (like every morning).

So far I am glad that I chose the V6 for how seldom I tow things.

 

[mrrab]

The computer on my '03 V8 is about 2 mpg optimistic.

Me too. Computer states 19.1, but calculations equal 17.1.

I still need to change the differential fluids, spark plugs, and run Sea Foam. Think I'll do the Sea Foam treatment before my next oil change...

 

[rebelbowtie]

16mpg mixed city/highway the DIC indicates 17.3mpg though. Best I've gotta is 19mpg all highway.

2004 v8 AWD

 

[progress4m]

Just filled my truck up yesterday: got 18.3 MPG calculated; this is after 344 miles: 40% Hwy and 60% city;
My truck is lifted with AT tires and A\C was on most of the time.
I do not think I can complain.

 

[OHP]

17.0 MPG Calculated to and from work. 30/70 Hwy/City

04 V8 4x4 SS (stock sport)

 

[MICA4R]

this thread belongs on a prius.org

99% highway, per tank I consistently get 425 miles before the light comes on and I fill up about 19 Gal.

/comp says 23.6mpg
/pen and paper 22.36mpg.

//synthetic motor oil/synthetic diff