Sounds like you have issues. My completely stock V6 4x4 gets a consistent 20-21 mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

Besides the check engine light that should be a red flag, consider the obvious, do you have a leak in the fuel system, or could someone be robbing your tank?

 

I would first check for timing issues and other items that might cause a misfire that might be causing the check injen light to happen. My airbag light came on in my altima and i was all woogitywoogity about it because i am selling it and didnt want someone to not have a fluffy pillow to rest on but I later found out it was from pushing the door switch 7 times fast while trying to get the door light to work. Who would have known that it throws altimas into Airbag Diagnostic Mode WOOOO! :Bruce:

 

Is there a way to inspect the timing belt without removing a ton of stuff?

 

recommended way: remove the plastic timing belt cover, its quite simple . OR if you are a chump like me, you will just pry it back as far as you can and peep through and see

 

Yeah, the timing upper timing cover comes off pretty easy. And you can see the marks on the lower timing cover to see if it in time.

BTW, my 91 V6 with 265,000 miles gets a consistent 18.5 MPG in city, so something is definitely wrong with your truck.

 

How do you drive your truck, that makes a HUGE difference in how much gas is consumed, especially with a 4WD, i drive nice and easy and i dont rag on my truck or rush it up to speeds and i have 32x11.50s and get roughly 18-19mpg depending on traffic and routes.


check engine light could be alot of issues, do some research and find out what it could be. It most like is NOT your timing, if you havent messed with it, then its probable fine. Again, probably.

If your spending $60 every 200 miles then take it over to Toyota nad have them hook up the diagnostics and see whats up, in the long run this could save you alot. Do the regular as well, tune up, plugs, wires, i also reccomend a engine flush with an oil change and lucas oil stabilizer.

Maybe even bite the bullet and run a few tanks of premium through.

Fife

 

You know, it just sucks. I find that no matter how I drive the mileage seems to be the same. The real sucker is that here in the midwest you get that crappy ethanol mixed fuel. what a crock. ethanol FTL. Are you running fuel with ethanol?? That definitely brings mileage down.

 

Hi,
When i got my 93, 4x4, 3vze, Auto. 5 months ago i got around 11MPG and there virtually no power ...a real dog...found out the Ex. valves were burnt...so after a head job,timing belt ,etc. replacement,TSP replacement I'm up to 16 MPG (93greenpickup) u say u get 20-21 mpg..urs is a 5-speed then?
(pee_cup) me too...i get a flat 16MPG no matter what I do...I concur with ur SUCKS>>>BUT about the power...I got plenty of power, tires squak without any problem..plenty of power here....mines all stock

 

Hi,
When i got my 93, 4x4, 3vze, Auto. 5 months ago i got around 11MPG and there virtually no power ...a real dog...found out the Ex. valves were burnt...so after a head job,timing belt ,etc. replacement,TSP replacement I'm up to 16 MPG (93greenpickup) u say u get 20-21 mpg..urs is a 5-speed then?
(pee_cup) me too...i get a flat 16MPG no matter what I do...I concur with ur SUCKS>>>BUT about the power...I got plenty of power, tires squak without any problem..plenty of power here....mines all stock

Yes, I have a 5 speed.

 

1993 4x4 ext cab SR5 mileage 129,000 miles

I would kill for 20mpg. Last winter I would get 13-15 mpg because I had to let the truck warm up, wouldn't shift into overdrive until warm. I have seen advice that I should change the thermostat.

I had tire issues also. I wanted a better ride and put the 'regular' samller factory size tires on, it originally had very big tires so now my engine runs higher rpms and the odometer is off by 4.5%. I would have to change the rear end but I'll just wait until these tires wear out and go back to the bigger tires.

Even with this problem I am getting a little over 17 mpg mosty city driving. My mechanic also cleaned the throttle body and checked everything out. I would take it to a mechanic and have it checked out first.

 

Can a bad 02 sensor and/or bad plugs cause bad mileage? 14mpg is NOT considered even decent mileage, to me. Now I gotta put another $50 in my tank......HELP!!!

 

if the o2 is making the engine run rich then yes mileage will be negatively affected meow:Bruce: if the o2 sensor is making the engine run lean then you will get better mileage :smokin:

 

Holy crap! Pee_cup is back


That is horrible mileage. My truck, fully modded as it is, gets 18-21mpg mixed driving. Here are some things you should look into:

1. CHECK your codes!!! Open up the little grey diagnostics box beside the underhood fusebox and use a paper clip to jump the te1 and e1 connections. Turn the key to "run" and count the number of blinks of the CEL. Go online (or use your FSM) and look up the codes...

2. Do a full tune up, Cap + rotor, plugs, plug wires, oil change, air filter and fuel filter.

3. Check your TPS, make sure your timing is on and consider changing the o2 sensor if it has over 60k on it.
4. Pump your tires to 35-40psi, this is usually good for 1-2mpg easy.

5. learn to time red-lights so you dont have to use the brakes at all. Coast as MUCH as possible, dont accellerate hard, keep the rpms under 3500.


I get around 16mpg if I am constantly on the throttle, banging though the gears...

 

But is the original pee_cup back, cuz there are two different ones in this thread...which is to original?