20 mpg How do you do it?

[txbonds]

I was happy to get 17.4 out of 370 miles of mixed driving the other day, with about 240 of it being a trip on highways with average speeds of 55 mph, a few 65mph and a few 45mph. This is on a 06 DC tundra 4x2 with undercover toneau cover.

[Early Riser]

I recently went to 41 psi in all four tires and replaced the air filter. I run Michelins, truxedo cover, JBAs, and Mobil 1. Since taking it easy on the acceleration and brakes I am now averaging about 19mpg. Last tank was 19.1combined hwy and light city driving. In the winter milage seems to drop off dramatically in these parts.

[Puffnstuff]

Well remember that winter equals more resistance in the driveline until things warm up. I continue to read all of the posts where people state that they are getting great mileage with their trucks. I hope that your calculations are done dividing miles driven by gallons used and not with any other method. The best I've ever managed with my truck is 17.97 mpg on I-95 which is just about as flat as you can get. Here on the coast the wind always blows so wind resistance is always high around here.

[lucky02]

Put bigger tires on it when you have to replace them.

[hagjohn]

I get about 280 miles on a tank (next time I fill up, I'll do my MPG)... I travel about 23 miles a day, working 5 days a week, I travel a semi back road (about 50-60 MPH) and I can go about 2 1/2 weeks.

I slowed down a bit, I've slowed down my aceleration, I coast to stop lights/signs, look ahead to see if anyone is turning and step off the gas. Basically, I try to use my brakes as little as possible.. while remaining safe (I'm not reckless about it).

[p-car-tower]

Wind resistance seems to play a really large role in my mpg. I typically drive easy (gentle accelerations, try to keep the truck moving in traffic, maintain momentum thru turns, coast when possible, etc.).

My commute is 35 miles each way with all but ~2 miles on the highway. Mornings I rarely have to slow down. Return trip frequently runs into some stop/go traffic. I always run my tires ~40 psi (factory Bridgestones) and have a Bakflip cover.

Up until a few months ago, I would travel 65-67 mph when on the highway and average 18.5 mpg (dividing miles driven by gas needed to refill the tank). Lately I've slowed down to 62-63 mpg and have been averaging 20.5.

[Boosted27606]

Originally Posted by lucky02

Put bigger tires on it when you have to replace them.

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Bigger tires will reduce the RPMs, hence possibly improving the gas mileage. (Be sure that your speedometer is still accurate now as it will show lower speed and less miles driven ). How do you know that the torque curve is at a more efficient point at the new RPMs ?

The bigger tires are also heavier and each one being a rotating mass, not just dead weight, they require a lot of energy to fight their inertia.

Now the truck will be riding higher, which will modify the aerodynamics and allow more air to pass under the truck. That creates more turbulence ( requiring energy ) as it chews on a larger volume of air, thus reducing your gas mileage.

Taking those facts into consideration makes the claim of bigger tires resulting in better gas mileage rather dubious.

[Bruce1]

I've kept close track over the last 6 months and averaged 14.8 mpg, 90% around town, not going over 50 mph most of the time.

My truck: 2002, V8, 2WD SR5 extended cab, TRD package. Everything is stock. I've kept the tires at the recommended pressure according to the sticker on the inside of the door. I'll probably try one of the higher pressures >30 psi for a couple of tanks to see.

I use the trip odometer and reset eveytime. I let the pump shut off when the tank is full and leave it at that.

[aidem1]

I log my mileage every tank, as trained by my Dad, for every car, all my life.

I averaged 18 with my 2000 Tundra.

I have an '01 2WD now. I have improved my mileage with the following measures:

Drive slow 55-65. I use a scan gauge to monitor my habits. Fill up when temperatures are the coolest (more gas per gallon). Do not let the tank get below 1/3 full (less evaporation). I took my bull bar off the front and use a tonneau cover on the bed. Windows up A/C off.

I tow a lot, so my average sucks. But on a trip using the above I have gotten tops 22.9 and typically 20. Traveling with a fiberglass topper cuts me back to 18.9.

Towing is 10-13. I am starting an experiment using air tabs to reduce drag with the trailer. I'll post if it makes a difference.

[NoLaTUNDRA]

2002 AC 4.7L automatic, stock size BF Goodrich Rugged Trails, open bed, tailgate up, etc etc.... I'm in the 12/17 club. Driving to work takes me along a stretch of roadway that is 50mph but has traffic lights every 1 mile or so. Stupid I know. Going to work has less traffic than coming home. Example...going to work in the morning takes 10 minutes. Coming home takes 20-25 minutes. I don't slam the accelerator. I let teh truck gain speed but do so without letting it get to far from 2000rpm. This in town commmute gets me about 12 mpg during the week. On the highway ( 65 mph with cruise) I've figured it at about 17 using the full tank then gas replacement calculation. To say what I get over a tank would be a guess. I don't let my tank get below 1/2 but I notice about 90 miles plus or minus for each 1/4 of a tank. So with combined city/highway that would put at about 14mpg.

Still, that Prius only looks good at the pump. I'd rather a horse than a Prius. LOL... He can take me to work, graze in my backyard, and fertilize the front. LOL. Think about it....reliable transportation, no grass cutting, no fertilizing, no kids coming to play in your front yard. OH wait....when he craps the hippy, tree hugging, Marxist, & fraudulent enviromentalist will claim he's polluting.

[Boosted27606]

hahaha

Wait until the Veterinarian slips you his bill !

You thought the gas bill was high..........................

[stevekx]

Engine off, going downhill with illegal aliens pushing

[USAFTUNDRA]

I get 20 mpg below 60 mph around town. If it is a lot of slow traffic then I'll get 17-18 mpg. If I drive over 60 mph I'll get 19 mpg. At 75 mph I get 17.5
Wind is not the 1st Gen friend
4.0 v6 with 18" Magnaflow.
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I just took a trip to Walmart and AT&T. 8 Stop signs round trip. I was not easy on acceleration but I did drive easy once up to speed limit. Scangauge said my daily mileage is 21.8 MPG.

[hydra]

I'm loving my V-6. I do 230 mile round trip commutes, gas paid for by company. At 65MPH I get 22-23 MPG using calculator and SG-II. This is single passenger unloaded with A/C on on flat Interstate.

I did 55MPH for about ten miles and ScanGuage was averaging 27MPG. If we go back to 55mph I think we will greatly slow down the money drain to the Middle East if we can keep from falling asleep at the wheel.

[JoeZ3]

I've only had my truck for about 1k miles so far, but I generally average between 16-17mpg overall in mixed driving. However on a short (60mi) highway stint last weekend where I filled up immediately before hopping on the highway, and again immediately after getting off I calculated 21.12mpg, which really surprised me. I expeced 18-19 or so, and was very happy to see it over the 20 mark. Now keep in mind this was very lightfooted driving (making sure not to bring rpm's over 2k accelerating onto the highway) and cruising around 70mph - nothing in tow and only a mtn bike in the bed.