RCSA Killed Mileage while towing - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum

rzone · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 02:11 AM

I just went and picked up a boat, 2000 miles each way, across WA, ID, MT, ND, MN and back.

On the way back we bucked a head wind, but the truck pulled great (4500LB boat and trailer), mileage was about 11MPG.

Then into ND we felt what we thought was wind on the truck, mileage dropped to 8.4MPG! I drove it as light as possible, but was stuck on that MPG. Just for kicks I turned off RCSA OFF, the mileage climbed up to 11MPG again over a couple hundred miles.

Something must have freaked the RCSA system.

Just passing it along for others to try.

Oh yea, to the dude in the Dodge Cummins pulling the smaller boat up Vantage hill, sorry man, had to do it. Bet you will respect the Tundra now.

2007dctundra4x4 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 02:16 AM

do you mean rsca and what would airbags have to do with gas mileage

rzone · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 02:19 AM

Sorry, yes RSCA.

That button to the left of the wheel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2007dctundra4x4

do you mean rsca and what would airbags have to do with gas mileage

2007dctundra4x4 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 02:24 AM

yeah roll sensing side curtain airbags...to be turned off when off roading

rzone · #5 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 02:37 AM

Well it seems weird that it would affect the mileage, does it do anything with the brakes?

I was on flat ground in North Dakota, and driving the same speed, so I am pretty sure it wasn't a placebo effect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2007dctundra4x4

yeah roll sensing side curtain airbags...to be turned off when off roading

2007dctundra4x4 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 02:45 AM

nope...just deactivates circuit so side curtain airbags won't deploy if you get on too steep an angle

Djackman777 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 03:37 AM

I think your MPG is normal when towing.. I got 9.5 MPG towing a 6000LBS (including trailer) boat. Thats going up and down the L.A. mountains

07DCwhiteSR5 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 04:01 AM

hahaha turning off the roll over airbags changes fuel consumption hahaha

Mtrosclair · #9 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 11:22 AM

The wind changed to an angle that was not perceptible to you at speed, and the wind change coincided with your button pushing.

dariusld · #10 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 01:46 PM

Maybe hes really talking about the tow button. Maybe not.

rzone · #11 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 01:02 AM

I did turn the TOW button OFF, then back ON at the same time I did turn on the RCSA.

Something reset in the truck, we were on FLAT ground, I drove it the same and the mileage went from 8.4 or so to 11MPG.

When you run the same speed on flat ground and the MPG changes by that much it seems something had to change. Wind direction would be a possible explanation I guess...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dariusld

Maybe hes really talking about the tow button. Maybe not.

cdevro · #12 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 02:14 PM

Towed a 25x8.5 enclosed trailer from MN to VA, then from VA to TN and back to MN. 8930 lbs total axle weight verified by CAT scale. About 500 lbs in the truck. Played with the Tow haul button, cruise, 65mph to 75mph. The best I got was 11 mpg at 72mph with no cruise control and tow haul off. Terrian was rolling hills with a little head wind. I believe that 11 mpg was great considering. Regular octane fuel. Truck felt like it was on rails and had more than enough power to get over the small mountain inclines.

double cab 07 4x4 lmtd.