Why does my 4runner use so much gas!
- Thread starter Downeys4Runner
- Start date
4'running'26
New member
If I am strictly on the interstate I have gotten as good as 22.7. All city driving I have gotten as bad as 14.something.
Keep it at or under 70 MPH and you should be ok. If you can't get close to 20 something is wrong IMO. A tune up can definitely help A LOT though.
Keep it at or under 70 MPH and you should be ok. If you can't get close to 20 something is wrong IMO. A tune up can definitely help A LOT though.
Atrox Caeda
New member
This isn't entirely true... for metric sizing everything is codependent. So a 275/65/16 actually means that the width of the tire is 275mm, the height of the sidewall of the tire is 65% of 275mm and it's based on a 16" rim. So if you have a 17" rim it roughly equates to the same size tire if you drop your side wall height percentage. However it is still dependent on the initial width. For example a 255/85/16 tire is around 33" tall but narrower than stock. This was my criteria when I decided on tires. I wanted a tall tire that still got decent mileage based on weight and friction. The taller and thinner the better. I have noticed a very negligible amount of MPG shift with these tires. They actually get better mileage around 55MPH than the stock ones, however since I have a roof rack w/ tire which adds drag that has taken away MPG. Basically there are a lot of variables to consider not the least of which is how the gas tank stays full forever then plummets the last 1/4. I get about 270-280miles per tank.
Atrox Caeda
New member
Use a GPS to track your actual mileage. You'd be surprised to see that you are probably only registering 0.88 miles when you have actually done 1.0 mile based on the 35's diameter over stock. I'm sure you've noticed that your speedo is off by around 5-6mph. That difference is also registering a shorter distance traveled by your gauges. I would consider a 12-13% change for 35's based on the fact that stock is 31" and you can calculate your circumference difference by using (2pir) which for 31's = 194.68", 35's = 219.8". At that point now you can see that you are actually getting (190mpg(1.12)) = 213mpg. Not a huge increase but it helps to think about and makes you feel a little better.
snivilous
Senior Member
That shouldn't decrease mileage I don't think. There is less air, so your engine will inject less fuel to maintain the right air/fuel ratio. You might depress the throttle more to compensate for less power though, but strictly speaking the elevation shouldn't make a difference in mileage. (Correct me if I'm retarded).
I get about 250 a tank. 31 Authorities, probably 200 pounds of bumpers and junk, some lift.
I'm still running stock tires and the 4.30 gears with the e-locker, but I get 260-280 miles before the light comes on. My light comes on at like 13 gallons though. That's a 50/50 combo of city and highway. I'm about to throw on some 34x11.50 equivilant Toyo MT's though, so my mileage is about to go down. Will update when I've ran a couple tanks through.
liv2bike
New member
I consistently can go at least 330 miles in my 2001 Sport before the dummy light comes on. I can squeak 350 or so miles out of a tank routinely. Truck is stock and in good shape. Running the stock 16 in wheels with Terra Grapplers. I do have a roof rack with a fairing though. Mind you most all of my driving/commute is highway and I set my cruise at 65 and leave it there...no matter what passes me.
5spd? So you are getting ~19mpg with 50/50? That seems really good.
I think I get about 19-20mpg on the freeway, only mods that matter are 2.5-3" lift and sliders. But I also usually drive 75+ on the freeway so I'm sure that doesn't help. I probably should do a tune up but the guy I bought it from claimed he did shortly before I bought it.
4'running'26
New member
I'm going to do 73-75 on the way back home today from my parents' place (about 185 miles of interstate and 35 of 2-lane where I'll be doing about 63) to see how that affects the mileage.
_Stephanie_
New member
Our 98 is driven all highway and we are averaging 330 miles to a tank. All stock, but the previous owner but on bigger tires. Not too shabby if you ask me. Oh and yes, the gas gauge sucks in this truck.
4'running'26
New member
After a 232 mile trip which included the following:
--185 miles of Interstate usually tooling along at 72 MPH
--47 miles of 2 lane highway usually tooling along at 61-63 MPH (with a few passes)
--1 "cross the ditch to get to the other side of the interstate because of a ridiculous traffic jam"
I put 10.7 gallons in her for an average of 21.7 MPG. Not bad.
--185 miles of Interstate usually tooling along at 72 MPH
--47 miles of 2 lane highway usually tooling along at 61-63 MPH (with a few passes)
--1 "cross the ditch to get to the other side of the interstate because of a ridiculous traffic jam"
I put 10.7 gallons in her for an average of 21.7 MPG. Not bad.
Geremy Klarkson
New member
Short answer- your truck weighs over 4,500 pounds. Takes a lot of energy to move that much steel around.
Robb235
Senior Member
I usually get ~20mpg or so going 70mph. About 19mpg with my usual 70-80mph I do on the interstate. Stock tires, auto, Yakima roof rack removed and put in the back.
Something I noticed is that ethanol-free gas helps my mileage a lot. Typically my gas light comes on at 270 miles with the 10% ethanol stuff. With no-ethanol gas, I can go 300 miles before it comes on. Ethanol-free is usually 10% more (about 20 or 30 cents more per gallon), but my mpg increase is usually about 10% as well, so it evens out as far as cost. I get to enjoy a slightly extended range at no net cost to me.
Something I noticed is that ethanol-free gas helps my mileage a lot. Typically my gas light comes on at 270 miles with the 10% ethanol stuff. With no-ethanol gas, I can go 300 miles before it comes on. Ethanol-free is usually 10% more (about 20 or 30 cents more per gallon), but my mpg increase is usually about 10% as well, so it evens out as far as cost. I get to enjoy a slightly extended range at no net cost to me.
4'running'26
New member
Robb235, hard to find that good gas anymore! The 10% ethanol gas is harder on the engine, there is no doubt. Here is a great website.
Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada
Ethanol-free gas stations in the U.S. and Canada
Robb235
Senior Member
Yup, that's the website I use. I have their iPhone app on my phone too that I use when traveling.
Downeys4Runner
New member
on the scan gauge im running low 17, on a stock runner. ALL City
