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.
Engine & DrivetrainDiscussions about the engine and drivetrain of your vehicle.
This is a discussion thread titled "2003 Tundra mileage problem", within the Engine & Drivetrain forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
I have a 2003 4-door tundra 4x2, towing package, v8 LSD, snugtop cab. (california)
I've been getting 11 in the city, 13 on the road. The sticker said 14/17. I have 7000 miles on it currently. I accelerate slow, and usually don't break 40 on a daily basis. I'm definately not a lead foot. Normal driving usually never crosses 2200 rpms. I've even done 2000 max for a tank and it didn't help.
So I've read up on all the performance mods here, and the dealer says if I get cool air this and exhaust that, it'll improve my mileage by 5. If that actually happened for the $1500 they are quoting, I'd do it. But i'm skeptical. Opinions?
Is this anything I can do to get 14/17 (or maybe 18) like the sticker represented?
read my list of mods and make up your own mind. last tank of gas in mine was about 85% highway and 15% city and i got 18.2 mpg!
I'm assuming you calculated for the possible error in the odo due to the gear and tire size change. I don't want to do the math right now, but does that tire size and gear ratio equal the stock gearing and tire size? I'm pressive mileage if that is all accurate.
Anyhow, do you have some picture of your turck. It sounds pretty sweet.
__________________
"You play the hand you're dealt. I think the game's worthwhile." -C. S. Lewis
Yours is like mine, but I am 4x4. Not happy with the mpg either. Check the (very long) thread on MPG:
What is your Tundra's MPG averaging? Do a search for "gas mileage" and you'll find the thread. Some pretty wide variations.
One comment on your "fresh air" idea. The RAPS system noted by many on this forum seems pretty straight forward, but I hestitate to install it die to the location of the air intake. Rain water, road splash, gravel road dust and grit are very likely to enter the port at the recommended install location. I personally would like to see RAPS come up with a more protected location for the intake.
295's will cause the speedo to run slower, which will display less mileage, and actually have a negative impact on calculated mileage.
(edit) oops... just noticed a gear change too
Still, for one thing, I would get the dealer's claims IN WRITING, because if it doesn't pan out (and it won't), you need to be able to hold him accountable. Anyone who guarantees that you'll get 5mpg better is irresponsible... and a cold-air intake is NOT going to do it... besides, you already have a cold air intake (the stock box draws from your fender well).
My truck is bone stock (or was until I put on the TRD duals tonight) and I've been getting NO WORSE than 15, and, ignoring a couple of "fluke" tanks at 22 running from Salt Lake to Vegas, I generally run 17-18.5 highway... better if I keep the speed down to 70 or less. Average over my 65k is about 17.
This is on an '03 2WD TRD that I bought Nov '02.
Keeping your speed below 40 will actually hurt. At about 45, your torque convertor locks up, which pulls engine RPM down by about 3-500rpm, and reduces heating in the transmission.
City driving just flat out sucks a Tundra's mileage numbers.
__________________ 2003 SR5 TRD V8
Better Built toolbox / Limited leather / Power outlet mod / Maplight mod / Horn mod / Wheelskins leather wheel wrap / RS3200 Plus / Rebadged w/TRD / Bully Nerf bars / '05 OEM Taillights / Clear corners / Tint / Factory Woodgrain kit / Gentex EC Mirror / Gaylord's Toolbox-Lid / MB Overdrives with Revos / Muthco Signal Mirrors / Sport Grille / TRD Dual Exhaust / Camry Nav System
I have a 2003 4-door tundra 4x2, towing package, v8 LSD, snugtop cab. (california)
I've been getting 11 in the city, 13 on the road. The sticker said 14/17. I have 7000 miles on it currently. I accelerate slow, and usually don't break 40 on a daily basis. I'm definately not a lead foot. Normal driving usually never crosses 2200 rpms. I've even done 2000 max for a tank and it didn't help.
So I've read up on all the performance mods here, and the dealer says if I get cool air this and exhaust that, it'll improve my mileage by 5. If that actually happened for the $1500 they are quoting, I'd do it. But i'm skeptical. Opinions?
Is this anything I can do to get 14/17 (or maybe 18) like the sticker represented?
Thanks,
Trellend
Like someone else suggested, read the posts in the "mpg thread". There is a tremendous variation in mpg and many opinions as to why or how it occurs. However, I am like you--my mileage is not that great. AAMOF, I just ran a tank almost completely dry and with mainly city driving and got 315 miles out of it. With an anticipated 22 gal. fillup I will get about 14 mpg. If all of it is city, I get about 12.5 mpg. You will read some posts that get 18-19 mpg. I will never see that as my mpg is closer to yours. By my calculation, installing $1500 worth of mods to improve mpg. would not yield you a break even until 37500 miles (assuming a reduction from .14 per mile to .10 per mile) and that's assuming you get the extra 5 mpg. IMO, drive, enjoy, and pay the pump!
What type of driving do you usually do? All city? Short commute? Those will have a detrimental effect on your mileage regardless of how careful you are.
How long did it take to put those 7K miles on?
__________________
Genthar
Rhino Lining, Waag one piece grille guard and wheel to wheel nerf bars, 3M Xpel on headlights, front corner lights, and foglights, Valentine One radar detector, XM Satellite radio, Lightforce 240 Blitz aux lights, Aux. reverse lights.
AEM Brute force intake, courtesy of AEM Power and TundraSolutions.com
Teamwest Coilovers, JBA Headers, Y-Pipe, and EVOL exhaust.
What type of driving do you usually do? All city? Short commute? Those will have a detrimental effect on your mileage regardless of how careful you are.
How long did it take to put those 7K miles on?
Short city trips (most of my driving) get me a huge 12 MPG +/- 1 MPG. This is in my access cab. On the freeway it directly relates to how fast I drive. 17 MPG is a good baseline for freeway. Start subtracting from there for each 5 to 10 MPH above 70 or so.
__________________
"You play the hand you're dealt. I think the game's worthwhile." -C. S. Lewis
What type of driving do you usually do? All city? Short commute? Those will have a detrimental effect on your mileage regardless of how careful you are.
How long did it take to put those 7K miles on?
It's split dead even really between 3-4 mile trips, and long freeway trips. By long I mean you get to empty the tank completely. Generally I either drive 4 miles or over 300. Mostly 4.
It took quite a while to put on 7k miles, 8.5 months.
Try this one thing.....it always works, and if you don't like it you can revert back to the way it is now. Drive to the nearest gas station. Pressure up your tires to the max....I mean the max tire pressure that is printed on the sidewall of your tires. It will work, and it's free. The truck will ride much firmer, but you will definately get MUCH BETTER gas mileage.
__________________
Unichip'd TRD Supercharger & 5.9 Overboost Crank Pulley,TRD Boost guage and Oak color matched pod,TRD LSD,Valvebody Upgrade by IPT in NY, JBA headers,Y pipe, K&N(Evol) SS catback exhaust, Helwig Rear antisway bar, Rear custom Leafpack,TRD Coils,Cornfed Spacers's with Y/B Bilsteins,Westin Outdoorsman Bushbar and Nerf Tubes, TRD Ivan Stewart 16X8 Rims and 285/75/R16 Revo AT tires.Pioneer 5500 MP3 Head unit/Q-Logic sub enclosure with dual crossfire subs/ 700 watts of Crossfire Amps/Bazooka 6.5's and 5.25's in Kickpanels/ CodeAlarm Remote starter/antitheft system.
It's split dead even really between 3-4 mile trips, and long freeway trips. By long I mean you get to empty the tank completely. Generally I either drive 4 miles or over 300. Mostly 4.
It took quite a while to put on 7k miles, 8.5 months.
That's what's hurting your mileage. I'm assuming (bad thing I know) that your 3-4 miles is mostly city traffic (i.e. stop and go, or light to light) as well, yes? That will kill your mileage. And if it's split evenly between short and long trips, then you're theoretically doing 100 short trips for every long trip. (I know, it's an approximation, but you get the idea...)
__________________
Genthar
Rhino Lining, Waag one piece grille guard and wheel to wheel nerf bars, 3M Xpel on headlights, front corner lights, and foglights, Valentine One radar detector, XM Satellite radio, Lightforce 240 Blitz aux lights, Aux. reverse lights.
AEM Brute force intake, courtesy of AEM Power and TundraSolutions.com
Teamwest Coilovers, JBA Headers, Y-Pipe, and EVOL exhaust.
Good call on the tire pressure, but I run mine at 34 psi, just 1 lb short of the max. OEM tires (BFG Rugged Trail) which I never liked. They are soft, just like the rear springs. And, I bet they have a lot of rolling resistance. Anyone know a website where you can get tire stats that compare things like rolling resistance, etc.?
Good call on the tire pressure, but I run mine at 34 psi, just 1 lb short of the max.
Same here... I didn't even think of the idiotic recommendation for 26-29psi that was created by people who want a soft ride, but more to sell tires
Ya.. I run mine at 35, but I don't see that making more than 1-2 mpg difference.
FWIW, Overall I've had no change from the stock tires to the Michelin Cross-Terrains... one of the best on-road tires you can get. At first I had a slight decrease, but it could have been conditions, as it was well within my overall average... or the overall diameter could have been greater than the OEM BFG's (265's here).
__________________ 2003 SR5 TRD V8
Better Built toolbox / Limited leather / Power outlet mod / Maplight mod / Horn mod / Wheelskins leather wheel wrap / RS3200 Plus / Rebadged w/TRD / Bully Nerf bars / '05 OEM Taillights / Clear corners / Tint / Factory Woodgrain kit / Gentex EC Mirror / Gaylord's Toolbox-Lid / MB Overdrives with Revos / Muthco Signal Mirrors / Sport Grille / TRD Dual Exhaust / Camry Nav System
I've read many posts abut MPG on this forum. I drive easy. I accelerate slow and even I let off the gas as I approach a stoplight letting RPM's drop. I drive more defensively every year. I consistently get 16-18mpg. Mixed city/highway (mostly highway). Mine is Acces Cab 4x4 TRD, with stuff in the bed and a heavy topper (Snugtop). No other changes from stock. Factory tow package as well. Usually no passengers. I do not think I could get better mileage unless I was on freeway at 55-60 for a tankful with tailwind. I easily hit 350 miles before I need to refuel.
I know all of us know how to figure milage... but do we? I find it hard to believe there could be such discrepancies (in the range of 30%). Is there something we aren't factoring in? I know gas blends change in certain areas from summer to winter. I don't think that explains everything, though. Another thread talks about weight differences for a factory tire/rim set-up and bigger tires (70 to 75 series) and wheels that added 120+ pounds. Stock vehicles with similar driving habits shouldn't vary much. The mystery continues...
2003 Tundra mileage problem
Linear Mode
