Yes another mpg thread BUT this one is different!

[djtc]

You are right that the AIR filter doesn't need to be OEM but yes spark plugs, wires and other engine parts should be OEM.

If you are really getting 11 MPG you should go to a Toyota mechanic. There has to be one somewhere nearby.

I would consider a compression test since you've already replaced the MAF, Spark Plug and Wires (OEM I assume ...?). :bolt:

Go to toyota and do what?They're going to try to sell me some more parts.

Compression test is something I didn't do yet because the truck has plenty of power and has no trouble starting.I could check it out doesn't take long.

Maf is oem , spark plugs/wires are ngk.

 

[MattAK]

+1 for compression test. I had a '94 T4R a few years ago. Ran fine, seemed to have all the power that little v6 could put out, but got horrible mileage. Worse than it should have. Turns out there were a couple of bad valves. Just because the truck seems to be running fine and have power doesn't mean you're not losing compression somewhere, and that will kill your mileage.

 

[Greg_Canada]

You are right that the AIR filter doesn't need to be OEM but yes spark plugs, wires and other engine parts should be OEM.

If you are really getting 11 MPG you should go to a Toyota mechanic. There has to be one somewhere nearby.

I would consider a compression test since you've already replaced the MAF, Spark Plug and Wires (OEM I assume ...?). :bolt:

Buddy you live in San Diego... completely different than Ottawa, did you read any of my posts?

As long as they are denso/NGK plugs / wires it's fine, he doesn't have to buy them from toyota. o2 sensors, as long as they are denso / NTK that's fine as well.

Go to toyota and do what?They're going to try to sell me some more parts.

Compression test is something I didn't do yet because the truck has plenty of power and has no trouble starting.I could check it out doesn't take long.

Maf is oem , spark plugs/wires are ngk.

Your truck is fine, wait till the spring time and you will see the MPG increase. As i said i went from 14-15mpg last year when i parked outside, to 16mpg parking inside, and in the summer i get 19-20mpg. Bone stock with all standard maintenance done.

Also, how long do you let your truck warm up for before driving it?

 

[BrianSD_42]

I never said OP needs to buy directly from Toyota just that the plugs etc should be genuine NGK / Den so parts. And not just any NGK / Denso but the exact part # for his year 4Runner.

You should not be getting 11 MPG, if you are then either there is something wrong with the truck or you don't know how to calculate miles per gallon. Normal range is at least 15. An average of 11 means something is wrong.

 

[Greg_Canada]

I never said OP needs to buy directly from Toyota just that the plugs etc should be genuine NGK / Den so parts. And not just any NGK / Denso but the exact part # for his year 4Runner.

You should not be getting 11 MPG, if you are then either there is something wrong with the truck or you don't know how to calculate miles per gallon. Normal range is at least 15. An average of 11 means something is wrong.

You still havent read any of my posts.

If DJ was in sunny san diego, i would agree with you. However he is in freezing cold ottawa canada and his truck spends the entire drive heating up (aka dumping fuel). 11mpg is completely reasonable based on his driving schedule. A civic would struggle to get 20mpg in the same scenario.
It takes a good 5-10km to hit operating temps where you then get decent mileage, the problem is he never gets there.

I believe he has used all OEM equivalent parts... It's just the weather that really messes with our MPG up here....

 

[mgull]

+1 for compression test. I had a '94 T4R a few years ago. Ran fine, seemed to have all the power that little v6 could put out, but got horrible mileage. Worse than it should have. Turns out there were a couple of bad valves. Just because the truck seems to be running fine and have power doesn't mean you're not losing compression somewhere, and that will kill your mileage.

happened to me, i bought a 99. i did all the tune ups recommended on this post and could never get over 11 or 12 mpg. seemed to run fine, just terrible gas mileage. ran a compression test, had one bad cylinder, the number 1 i believe. good luck

 

[BrianSD_42]

What evidence is there that getting 11 MPG is normal in Canada? What about the northern United States? You speak so strongly yet even you got 15 MPG in the winter.

I understand some type of drop but not 25-30% from 16 MPG.

Sorry but OP shouldn't dismiss the value of a compression test.

 

[Greg_Canada]

What evidence is there that getting 11 MPG is normal in Canada? What about the northern United States? You speak so strongly yet even you got 15 MPG in the winter.

I understand some type of drop but not 25-30% from 16 MPG.

Sorry but OP shouldn't dismiss the value of a compression test.

My reasoning is that his trips are 2-10km, or 1 - 6 miles... that means the truck is just dumping gas the entire time. My drive is 15-16mpg and i have a 25km drive (16 miles) and is mostly highway. His drive it city only. There is also lots of snow there, he's running bigger tires than me, he has heavy bumpers / etc. Also, because of all the snow in ottawa, i'm guessing he is driving in 4wd often. When i run 4wd an entire tank, i am at 12mpg.

But sure, get a compression test, but with short drives, winter gas, cold temps, running in 4wd, heavy tires / bumpers, 11mpg is definitely possible. Remember the 1990-1995 3vze 4runner was rated at 13-15mpg regular driving... and the 3rd gen's are EPA rated 14-17mpg... 11mpg in such rough conditions is definitely fathomable.

 

[BrianSD_42]

My reasoning is that his trips are 2-10km, or 1 - 6 miles..

Good point, I agree.


OP, go for a 2 hour drive somewhere on the freeway and record your actual mileage.

Start by stopping at a gas station and filling the tank to full. Do not top off. Write down your current odometer reading.
Drive 2 hours.
Go to gas station, fill tank to full. Write down odometer reading.

This really shouldn't be that hard.

Report back to us once you've done this. eace:

 

[djtc]

My reasoning is that his trips are 2-10km, or 1 - 6 miles... that means the truck is just dumping gas the entire time. My drive is 15-16mpg and i have a 25km drive (16 miles) and is mostly highway. His drive it city only. There is also lots of snow there, he's running bigger tires than me, he has heavy bumpers / etc. Also, because of all the snow in ottawa, i'm guessing he is driving in 4wd often. When i run 4wd an entire tank, i am at 12mpg.



But sure, get a compression test, but with short drives, winter gas, cold temps, running in 4wd, heavy tires / bumpers, 11mpg is definitely possible. Remember the 1990-1995 3vze 4runner was rated at 13-15mpg regular driving... and the 3rd gen's are EPA rated 14-17mpg... 11mpg in such rough conditions is definitely fathomable.

I never drive in 4wd even when storms hit.The duractracs with my aussie locker gets me by no problem.

Good point, I agree.


OP, go for a 2 hour drive somewhere on the freeway and record your actual mileage.

Start by stopping at a gas station and filling the tank to full. Do not top off. Write down your current odometer reading.
Drive 2 hours.
Go to gas station, fill tank to full. Write down odometer reading.

This really shouldn't be that hard.

Report back to us once you've done this. eace:

I've been wanting to try that but just by looking at the gauge( I know its not reliable) I can tell that the needle still goes down just as fast on the highway.



Anyhow...Just did a compression test and numbers showed 180-190 accros the board so she's still healthy.

 

[Greg_Canada]

I never drive in 4wd even when storms hit.The duractracs with my aussie locker gets me by no problem.



I've been wanting to try that but just by looking at the gauge( I know its not reliable) I can tell that the needle still goes down just as fast on the highway.



Anyhow...Just did a compression test and numbers showed 180-190 accros the board so she's still healthy.

My gauge drops like crazy too! There is actually a TSB on it but... too much $$ to fix...
Any difference now that the temps are up above 5 deg? I've gained 30km per tank

 

[djtc]

My gauge drops like crazy too! There is actually a TSB on it but... too much $$ to fix...
Any difference now that the temps are up above 5 deg? I've gained 30km per tank

Nope I think I'm even a little lower then the last one.My gas light just came on today and I think i'm at 290km from full.
I even removed my tire swingout to reduce the weight.

 

[paddlenbike]

...his truck spends the entire drive heating up (aka dumping fuel). 11mpg is completely reasonable based on his driving schedule. A civic would struggle to get 20mpg in the same scenario.

I certainly agree with this comment. I have a 3 mile drive to work and my mileage is below the EPA estimate when my only driving is cold start-to-cold start short trips. I typically get 15 mpg in that scenario and even my 2.3L Volvo got the same 15 mpg on that commute. (In a warm California climate, btw).
If I get a chance to do "normal city driving" I usually get about 16.5mpg city. Highway ranges from 18.5 to 21 mpg. I check my mileage at every fill up and oddly enough the 18.5 mpg is doing ~73 MPH on the freeway and the 21 mpg is typical when I head to the mountains and am climbing grades. Crazy, but those results are repeatable every time.
I have the SC V6, a 5-speed and 32" tires.

 

[Greg_Canada]

My mileage has increase from 15 to 17 to 18.5 mpg in the last month. Yours getting better too with this beautiful weather?