You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
1Gen-TundraGeneral discussion forum for the 2000 to 2006 Toyota Tundra.
This is a discussion thread titled "20 mpg How do you do it?", within the 1Gen-Tundra forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
I've had my 02 4x4 AC for a little over a month now, and have put on a couple thousand miles. My best average so far was on an all interstate trip from WV to the Eastern shore of MD. I got 19 mpg. I was blown away. my truck has about 84K mi on it, totally sstock, and on that trip I was running the tire pressure just as the factory reccommends (26 psi front, 35 rear). Since then, I'm running 35 psi in all 4. However, I still only average anywhere from 13.6 mpg to 15.8 mpg. My driving is usually split between interstate and city/one lane country roads (about 40% highway, 60% other). When I'm on the highway I'm usually pushing it up to 80 or so. BUT, I do not live in a flat area. My driving is mostly in WV, and there are no flat roads here. Hell, I usually turn off my overdrive when not on interstate because these roads will kill an auto trans if you leave it in OD. I also do not use cruise unless I'm in flat lands. I tried it once here and it was not cool (the interstates here have curves with a max. safe speed of 55 in a lot of places), cruise in this state is uselss. So I can understand my lack of hitting 20 mpg.
I too have to say I'm shocked at the mileage some folks are getting. My '03 4.7 Tundra got it's worst mileage ever during the breakin period with a crappy 15.5-16...Since then it's NEVER gotten worse than 18 and I was pretty annoyed at that, (it was towing a fairly lightly loaded trailor)...typical highway mileage is a solid 20-20.5 with the occasional dip to 19.5 or a jump of 21-21.5...it's done this for over 100K miles. Even when I've got 1500 lbs in the bed it holds 20+ on the highway. (and yes, I've done it more than once)
The Retrax bed cover may make a slight difference but I haven't seen a difference when I have it open vs closed. I'm using the smaller 245 tires rather than the 265-285's that a lot of the folks around here like so that may make a small difference.
No effort involved in getting the mileage either, I typicaly drive the speed limit or close to it 70-75, though I will sometimes pace the faster traffic at ummm somewhat higher speeds LOL...I keep the air filter changed at 30K miles, and use Mobil 1 (though I saw no difference when I changed from dino oil), I keep my pressures up at 35psi in the tires.
Best I ever got was 17mpg with the wind at my rear. It looks like most of the folks that are getting the better mileage are 2wd's and access cabs. When I drove an 03 AC loaner 2wd, I could not believe how much more responsive it was in the power area...obviously the difference in weight has a lot to do with the mileage in turn. My DC has the new "higher hp" 4.7, and it is a dog compared to the 03 AC 2wd. Not that I'm into speed when it comes to trucks, but that 03 would pin me to the seat when I stomped on it...and I did that a lot since it was a loaner.
Anyone who thinks they'll get close to 20mpg with a 4wd DC is dreaming in my opinion. I would bet, however, that the 2wd's get better mileage than any of the other brands, and that 4.7 is a GREAT motor in those rigs. I wonder if they will ever offer it in the Tacoma's...THAT would be a screamer! And I bet it would get same if not better mileage than the 6 cylinder if put in the Taco.
having owned a 2003 3.4L V6 4x4 AC and 2005 4.7L V8 4x4 AC, I was disappointed in the mpg differences. The 03 I could get 22 on flat road at 70mph. The 05 I could get 17mpg going 65. Any faster and it drops to 16 or 15 or WORSE Drove the same roads and drove the same light foot with both. Love that extra power though in the V8. Wish I had the sticker MPG on the V8 though.
I have a 2000 limited AC 4x4 with the 4.7 and over 200,000 kms. Use Mobile 1 and a K&N air filter.
Just got back from a trip between Montreal and Oceanside California pulling a new TaB trailer. Recorded 17.5 mpg ( imperial mesure ) average for the whole trip cruising at 2000 rpm ( 66mph ). The truck used exactly one half liter of oil during the whole frigging trip !! I am amazed and a very happy Tundra owner, think I'll keep it for another six years.
Rod.
I gotta say, I am very happy with my mileage. I average in the 18s with mixed driving. I usually fill up at 1/2 tank and reset the odo with each fill. I always have at or just over 200 miles at each fill. I have not had a long highway trip since I bought the truck (bought it out of state because it was the best deal..drove it home 450 miles, MPG was 19.5), but would not be surprised to get an easy 19-20 MPG.
That's one thing I can't understand, the window stickers in Canada read the SAME numbers for ALL Tundra models with the 4.7 V8. 18 city and 23 hwy, Imperial gallons. I find it hard to believe that the regular cab 4.7L 2WD Tundra gets the SAME mileage as the double cab 4x4. All I know is there is NO WAY my truck would ever see 18 MPG in the city. 10 to 12 more like it, and THAT'S taking it easy.
Must be the better gas mileage is coming from the 2WD(I hope)
Does anyone happen to know the mileage on the window for a 2WD Tundra??
I know my 2006 4X4 DC was 15/18 on the window when I bought it..
Redman
I got out the window sticker on my 2000 4x4 & the fine print reads"11 & 17mpg in the city & between14 & 20 highway". Big numbers read 14 city-17 hwy. Sometimes we overlook the small print,huh!
Had a 99 5.3 silverado:16 & 19 big numbers:13-19 city,17-23 hwy in small print.
Interesting small print on both window stickers! Kind of covers it all for the manufacture!
I have never seen that type of mileage. I have an 05 DC TRD and I get about 13 mpg (winter) and 16 (summer). I drive about 75% of the time in the city. The longest hwy trip I have taken was driving to Seattle through the mountains and I got 16 mpg and this was around xmas time. I have about 16,000 miles on it and have just switched over to synthetic, hopefully I will get better mpg.
05, DC, 4X4, Stock (except bed cover) and my MPG sux. I was getting 15.5 when it was new and it improved up to nearly 18 after the first 10k miles. After switching to Mobile 1 synthetic oil (stock filter) the MPG has dropped down to between 14.5 and 15.5. Same driving habbits and nothing else has changed. I don't mind 15.5 after getting 9 in my old truck, but after getting nearly 18 for months, the drop sort of ticks me off.
Redman
I got out the window sticker on my 2000 4x4 & the fine print reads"11 & 17mpg in the city & between14 & 20 highway". Big numbers read 14 city-17 hwy. Sometimes we overlook the small print,huh!
Had a 99 5.3 silverado:16 & 19 big numbers:13-19 city,17-23 hwy in small print.
Interesting small print on both window stickers! Kind of covers it all for the manufacture!
Your right Tundra39 after a closer look to read the fine print mine says 12-18 city and 15-21 highway
I guess on at the bottom end of the scale
__________________
2006 Tundra DC 4x4 V-8,Bridgestone Revo's,Westin Platinum Series Black Nerf Bars,Wade Vent Visors,Husky Floor Liners, Wheeler Coils..
I posted about this before, but since that post, I still get 19-20 mpg on the highway. Around town it's a consistent 17.
Same old advice, I use the cruise control a lot, I have a hard lid on the bed (arguably can be a difference or not that has been explored in depth in this forum), limit the blastoffs, don't drive like you're in a NASCAR race, and most of all don't drive yourself crazy calculating and worrying if it gets 12 or 14 or 17 miles a gallon. You've got to use your Tundra for crying out loud. Isn't that what you bought it for? It's to drive, not sit in the driveway to look pretty. If you're worried about gas milage then get to the back of the line for a Prius.
I'm driving a V-8 pickup. Waddaya want? Thank god it's not a V-10 Diesel like my sister's Ford Excursion. You guys cry about 12, try 9 tops for that some of a beast. What a waste of money in my opinion.
Gas is expensive now. If you don't give a crap, then by all means, burn it up. I don't like spending all that money on each tank fill up, so I drive like my father. Well, maybe not that bad.
Later, Dudes. You guys are cool.
__________________
JT 2002 SR5, Thunder Grey, Access Cab, 4.7, Off Road pkg, 4WD, Toyota Bedliner, Bed Extender, Limited Slip Diff, ABS Add Ons: Toyota Tube Steps, Leer 700 Lid, Curt Front Mounted Receiver Hitch, WeatherTech Window Vents, WeatherTech Front Floor Liners, Cabela's Aux Back Up Lights, Hellwig Rear Anti Sway Bar, Skid Row Front Skid Plate, Fumoto Valve, SP Rotors and Hawk Pads, SnowSport SnowPlow Have on workbench: Total Chaos Steering Gear Bushing kit, Autoxray 6000
Re: 20 mpg How do you do it?
Drove the same roads and drove the same light foot with both. Love that extra power though in the V8. Wish I had the sticker MPG on the V8 though.
All I know is there is NO WAY my truck would ever see 18 MPG in the city. 10 to 12 more like it, and THAT'S taking it easy.
What a waste of money in my opinion.
Re: 20 mpg How do you do it?
Linear Mode
