maximizing MPG---my results--amazing!!

[yota4me2]

05 Toyota Tacoma V6, AT, 4x4, access cab----my quest for max mpg:
(Currently getting 24.7-26.7 mpg)

Apprx May, 2006:
Since the weather warmed up, I've been getting 21.6--22 mpg (EPA sticker said 17--21 mpg) with alot of cold start 7 mile trips & apprx. 50/50 city highway driving, flat terrain, using Shell 87 octane (owners manual recommends 91+ octane for best performance/fuel economy), 245/75/16 Michelin LTX A/S tires. Warm up time is apprx. 5-10 seconds. I gradually accelerate to 45-50 mph til normal operating temp, then 60 mph max. I coast (simply let off the gas) as much as possibe/gradually decelerate when approaching stops/turns. Basically gradually accelerating & decelerating. I don't know what my highway mileage would be now--23-24? This is the best mpg I've gotten for this type driving (50/50 city/highway) during the 15 months I've been driving the truck. I guess my results are a combination of truck getting broken in, driving style, summer blend gas/and/or warm weather, stock size (low rolling resistance) tires, flat terrain, synthetic oil, topper. Going to start trying some Lube Control FP60 & Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant for mpg increase.



UPDATE---apprx July, 2006: Above was as of sometime in May, 2006. Since then, I've been using Lucas UCL (1 oz per 5 gal of gas), the weather has gotten warmer, and I've limited my top speed to 55 mph. I've also replaced oil in front & rear differentials with synthetic oil. I've been getting around 22.6--23.2 mpg. The 23.2 mpg was probably closer to 65--70% highway miles. I assume my 100% highway mpg would be around 24 mpg using the 87 octane with Lucas UCL and around 25 mpg with Shell 93 octane & Lucas UCL. Note--now using Lube Control FP60 fuel additive.

UPDATED MPG RESULTS WITH AMSOIL SSO 0W-30 & EAA AIR FILTER--July, 2008:
Last tank--24.7 mpg (city/highway) w/Shell 87 octane. Scan Guage currently showing 26.7 mpg with 120 miles (mostly highway) on current tank w/Shell 93 octane. Amazing for a 17-21 mpg rated truck!
I'd have to say the SSO (& maybe the EAA air filter) definitely helps the mpg.
Note--Other than the recommended 10 minutes a week, I use A/C sparingly, which probably helps mpg. The white truck stays relatively cool in the hot sun. I put fan on high in hot weather.

[Nicklbrso]

That's great that you're getting that many mpg. On the other hand I do not feel like driving 55 on the highway and granny shifting til 50 mph. Tacomas are trucks: not small compact cars that are supposed to get great gas mileage.

Again You have proved that you can get good gas mileage with these trucks but I think I speak for most people when I say I dont feel like driving so conservatively.

[matts27]

Those results are live, represented through the scan gauge I take it... doing the math out comes out the same??? Just wondering. I just changed all my gear oil over to synthetic (transfer, transmission, front/rear diff) so I'm interested to see if I get some better results too. Still running the "dino" motor oil though. I also prefer the shell fuel, truck seems to run better even though it's only 87 octane but who can afford Super with these prices. How many miles you got on the truck??

By the way, gratz on the mileage!!

[EdgeR6]

If I can connsintaly get 20MPG's out of my 08 I'd be happy best so far is 18 something.

[WilsonTheDog]

How much do the fuel additives cost you? That could/would negate any advantage you gain in MPG.

Have I mentioned recently that I hate hypermilers?

[arkhillbilly]

Keep up the good work.

By Christmas you should be up to 40mpg

[Buurin]

Looking at all you Tacoma guys making that much improvement I am jealous. I got only 33mpg over the last two tanks which is disappointing for a Corolla. I want my 40mpg back!

[Boxedin]

Originally Posted by WilsonTheDog

How much do the fuel additives cost you? That could/would negate any advantage you gain in MPG.

Have I mentioned recently that I hate hypermilers?

Different strokes for different folks man.

[yota4me2]

Originally Posted by matts27

Those results are live, represented through the scan gauge I take it... doing the math out comes out the same??? Just wondering. I just changed all my gear oil over to synthetic (transfer, transmission, front/rear diff) so I'm interested to see if I get some better results too. Still running the "dino" motor oil though. I also prefer the shell fuel, truck seems to run better even though it's only 87 octane but who can afford Super with these prices. How many miles you got on the truck??

By the way, gratz on the mileage!!

Last tank--24.7 mpg (city/highway) was figured manually--miles driven divided by galllons to fill. The 26.7 mpg (mostly highway) Scan Guage reading--"trip"-- was average for tank thus far.

[yota4me2]

Originally Posted by WilsonTheDog

How much do the fuel additives cost you? That could/would negate any advantage you gain in MPG.

Have I mentioned recently that I hate hypermilers?

I think I paid around $33/gal for the FP60. 1 gallon treats 640 gallons gas.
When I run out, I'll be using FP Plus, which is even more econmical. It's $49.50/gal & treats 1280 gallons of gas. They offer 10% discount for online orders over $75. I get it from LCDinc.com

[middleoroad]

Seems like the biggest mpg gains on a truck could be from thinner and or harder rubber tires or a change to the rear diff. ratio.

[keene]

Hey MiddleORoad, I think you are right. I'm getting 15 m p g in a 2007 Sequoia. It has a 4.7L but also a towing package with 17" wheels and 4.10 rear end gears. It has all kinds of torque, but it runs at 2500 rpm at 70 mph. I think if I can get it down to 2000 rpm, it will improve dramatically.

Does anyone know how to calculate what kind of mile age a higher gear ratio might get me?

The problem is, a new set of gears costs about $800. It sure would be helpful to get an idea of my savings before spending that much.

[thaharlequin]

Originally Posted by keene

Hey MiddleORoad, I think you are right. I'm getting 15 m p g in a 2007 Sequoia. It has a 4.7L but also a towing package with 17" wheels and 4.10 rear end gears. It has all kinds of torque, but it runs at 2500 rpm at 70 mph. I think if I can get it down to 2000 rpm, it will improve dramatically.

Does anyone know how to calculate what kind of mile age a higher gear ratio might get me?

The problem is, a new set of gears costs about $800. It sure would be helpful to get an idea of my savings before spending that much.

The best way to be sure is to find a hill that you can go up in OD and coast down in gear above ~1500-2000rpm, ideally w/o stopping (maybe some kind of loop), get ~50-100 miles of travel through that loop, either using the tried and true fill-up/odometer or a scanguage and compare your mileage over the up/down loop to your mileage cruising on flat ground at the same average speed. The difference in how much you can pick up by regearing appropriately.

[RalphVa]

I want the mileage (27.4 mpg over 90k miles) I got on my 1996 Taco. So far, this 05 Taco has shown 22 mpg and 23.5 mpg. The 1996 got about 25 mpg in the winter; so this one is at least 1.5 mpg lower. The direct fuel injection, bigger exhaust and viscous fan didn't overcome the 300# weight and size increase.

A good 2.0 liter turbo diesel, probably about 130ish hp, should bring mileage up to over 30, probably nearer 35.

[BILLCLINTON]

WHAT WILL THE END RESULT BE IF I REMOVED ALL OF MY EMISSION CONTROLL PARTS. i HAVE A 1988 TRUCK WITH A 22RE MOTOR. WOULD REMOVING THE CATALITIC CONVERTER HELP MPG. i TRAVEL 20 HOURS PER WEEK AND USE MOBILE ONE DELVAC. ANY SUCESS STORIES ON K&N AIR FILYERS?