94 4Runner Gas Mileage

I Bought a 94 4Runner V6 SR5 W/automatic Transmission, and the thing is a
gas hog. Surprised me. I expected maybe at worst, 18 MPG highway. It does
have oversized mid tires on it. Seems to run good. Any ideas out there on
improving the mileage? or does anyone have an idea on the MPG on the sticker
when it was new? I would enjoy getting a little further on a tank of gas
than I do. I am new to 4X4 SUV's, so I am looking for some experience with
these things.
Thanks for any help!

That they are. Mines the same way, I get about 220 miles per tank which is
about 13.75 MPG. Mines a 90 same engine though. We have a 97 Ford Explorer
that gets almost 23 has more pep and a smaller engine.

Searcher

Thanks, wasn't really the anwser I was hoping for, But I am not surprised at
5900 LBS GVW.
I doubt I will get stuck easily though. What the hell. it's only money!


"Shopdog" <lookout@aol.net> wrote in message
news:GgB4g.5879$C63.532@trnddc06...[color=blue]
> That they are. Mines the same way, I get about 220 miles per tank which is
> about 13.75 MPG. Mines a 90 same engine though. We have a 97 Ford Explorer
> that gets almost 23 has more pep and a smaller engine.
>
> Searcher
>
>[/color]

On Fri, 28 Apr 2006 22:21:32 -0500, "Tony & Denise Akers"
<akersrus@cox.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>I Bought a 94 4Runner V6 SR5 W/automatic Transmission, and the thing is a
>gas hog. Surprised me. I expected maybe at worst, 18 MPG highway. It does
>have oversized mid tires on it. Seems to run good. Any ideas out there on
>improving the mileage? or does anyone have an idea on the MPG on the sticker
>when it was new? I would enjoy getting a little further on a tank of gas
>than I do. I am new to 4X4 SUV's, so I am looking for some experience with
>these things.
>Thanks for any help!
>[/color]


If you have big or agressive tires, it will hurt MPG a good bit and is
may also be wanting higher octane fuel. The last few Yota I had ran
better on 89 or higher. Also inflate tires to near max pressure to
reduce rolling resistance. It all adds up.
-----------------
The SnoMan
[url]www.thesnoman.com[/url]

I remember when it only cost me about 15 bucks to "fill'er up" Now its
40.00. As the next poster states every little bit helps, inflate the tires
to the max listed. Keep your alignment in order and turn off that ETC.

Searcher

Isn't GVW the max weight loaded --- it really doesn't weight that much with
just you and gas in it. (GVW is maximum weight allowed). Had read elsewhere
that the automatics used on these up til '96 did not have efficient gear
lock up and that really hurt the mileage. To add insult to the MPG --- the
engine is not that powerful (only 150 hp). (Road tests back then faulted
its fuel economy of 13.8 MPG and acceleration). EPA was only 14-16 mpg.

Do you have Automatic front hubs? If so a change to manual (Warn or OEM
AISIN) would give a little mileage as would chand\ging to a smoother tread
smaller tire (stock was 225x15 or 31x9.5 - check door sticker). There are
air intake kits and larger header exhausts that improve performance and
mileage.

I have an 03 4Rnr SE 4L V6 that gets 16-23 mpg --- still not great but is
heavy fairly quick box. In '04 the V6 4RNRs all switched to 5 spd
automatics - my 03 is a 4 spd - that may increas their mileage a bit too.

You do see many articles about swaping the OEM 3L for a GM 3.8L engine --
for better performance and gas mileage.
..

"Tony & Denise Akers" <akersrus@cox.net> wrote in message
news:WZA4g.23$QE.15@dukeread10...[color=blue]
>I Bought a 94 4Runner V6 SR5 W/automatic Transmission, and the thing is a
> gas hog. Surprised me. I expected maybe at worst, 18 MPG highway. It does
> have oversized mid tires on it. Seems to run good. Any ideas out there on
> improving the mileage? or does anyone have an idea on the MPG on the
> sticker
> when it was new? I would enjoy getting a little further on a tank of gas
> than I do. I am new to 4X4 SUV's, so I am looking for some experience with
> these things.
> Thanks for any help!
>
>[/color]

On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 08:58:27 -0400, "Wolfgang"
<NOwolfXgang_dieterxSPAM@NOXcox.netNOT> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Isn't GVW the max weight loaded --- it really doesn't weight that much with
>just you and gas in it. (GVW is maximum weight allowed).[/color]


Yes more or less, it is the recommanded max weight include fuel
passangers and cargo.
-----------------
The SnoMan
[url]www.thesnoman.com[/url]

I have a 99 Tacoma extended cab 4x4 with the 3.4L V6, and I average
17mpg on the highway.
Keep your oil changes regular, your tire pressure at or above Toyota
specs. I've seen Toyota err on the low side on tire pressure to
smoothen the ride, but it really hurts mileage. (be sure to check your
tire specs rather than the specs from your Toyota owner's manual). and
drive conservatively. That is, no quick takeoffs, an sticking to the
speed limit on the highway. The 55 mph law may be making a comeback
soon. It was put in place not for safety, but to save gasoline.
An estimate is that for every 100 pounds you add to the vehicle, you
suffer a loss of 1 mpg, so by all means, leave the mother-in-law at
home on long trips : )