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My 4runner is so bad on MPG

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by nafees.im, Mar 7, 2020.

  1. Mar 7, 2020 at 5:33 AM
    #1
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    I bought a 2020 4runner SR5 just 2 weeks ago. I live in Dallas TX. I never bought a truck like SUV. 4runner is taking lots of gas which was beyond my expectations. Can u pls suggest how I can improve MPG on my 4runner ?

    IMG-20200304-WA0013.jpg
     
  2. Mar 7, 2020 at 5:40 AM
    #2
    Drababan

    Drababan New Member

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    What kind of MPG are you getting and what did you expect? These are heavy 5-speed transmission vehicles. If you are mostly city driving you aren't going to get more than 16MPG
     
  3. Mar 7, 2020 at 5:43 AM
    #3
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    Last 2 weeks I was driving that 4runner like a crossover. Driving on avg 75 miles per hour . Now I am feeling that MPG is not even near at what I saw in the website. Yesterday my gas tank became half empty for driving around 100 miles in the Dallas. How is that possible ?
     
  4. Mar 7, 2020 at 5:45 AM
    #4
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for reply. I am getting around 14 MPG.
     
  5. Mar 7, 2020 at 5:45 AM
    #5
    Drababan

    Drababan New Member

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    Sounds like you are a bit heavy on the gas pedal to me. The dash has you average MPG on it. Look to see what you are getting. These are not fuel efficient vehicles, AT ALL. If you are going to be driving like you are you are probably going to see 15MPG or less.
     
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  6. Mar 7, 2020 at 5:51 AM
    #6
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    In Dallas I mostly driving in Highway . Last 2 hours I am watching some 4runners forum for better MPG. Do u use the 87 octane or 91 ? Can u pls tell me is there any difference in MPG for premium gas ?
     
  7. Mar 7, 2020 at 5:53 AM
    #7
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    I will let you know after checking my dash MPG today.
     
  8. Mar 7, 2020 at 6:01 AM
    #8
    Texdoc

    Texdoc New Member

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    Mine is a 2017 SR5, 4x4, small roof rack, (no lift) which offers 15-mpg around our small town but will offer 20.2 mpg on open road at 75mph. this is my second 4L (first a 2008 Tacoma) and they are the same in performance. I consider that about normal for these vehicles and it seems to be the consensus with others. Pulling my 10' UT or 15' tin boat offers 14+- mpg.
    Mileage isn't as good as my wife's Highlander but what I expected. Your location is Dallas ?? so if crawling around at idle speed these vehicles may not be the best choice.
    I'am an old guy and appreciate the 4x4 on lake ramps and ease of parking as doctor trips have become more frequent.

    Sorry, NO suggestions on improving mileage; good luck.
     
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  9. Mar 7, 2020 at 6:05 AM
    #9
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    No. Some claim to get better mileage with premium. Others have not seen any difference. Even if it improved a little, you wouldn't make up for the added cost.

    Keep an eye on your Tachometer while accelerating. If you're regularly hitting 3-4K RPM's, you're going to get terrible mileage.

    Also, the 4runner seems to get the best economy around 65-70 MPH. Above that, it drops quickly.

    I still think 14 is very low. Driving cross country at 80-85 MPH I got 16-17 MPG. This is pure highway, though.
     
  10. Mar 7, 2020 at 6:15 AM
    #10
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    Which grade gas you have been using, 87 or 91 ?
     
  11. Mar 7, 2020 at 6:19 AM
    #11
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    I don't have any experience driving 4runner before. I will let u know what MPG i will get for the coming days. I will try to drive around 60-65 MPH. And will try to keep lower the RPM.
     
  12. Mar 7, 2020 at 6:20 AM
    #12
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    I am living in East Dallas.
     
  13. Mar 7, 2020 at 6:42 AM
    #13
    Jynarik

    Jynarik I like boobies

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    What were your expectations?

    16-18.5 is about average.
     
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  14. Mar 7, 2020 at 7:16 AM
    #14
    Blue 4ever Runner

    Blue 4ever Runner New Member

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    Blacked out badges, window deflectors, smoked 3rd brake light. I have a Borla muffler on order as well as some color matched engine cover stickers. I'll be painting the stock wheels soon as well. Falken tires in the fall as well.
    As others have said, these are not fuel efficient vehicles. Try to keep the RPM's down and at over 70 mph mileage falls off badly. That good looking, square front end is like a plow at higher speeds. I don't know if you get "winter" gas in Texas but that might be part of the problem. I don't think 91 would show any improvement at all. The engine is designed to run on 87. Also as the vehicle breaks in mileage should improve some. Have you checked tire pressure?
     
  15. Mar 7, 2020 at 7:21 AM
    #15
    Chris In Milwaukee

    Chris In Milwaukee New Member

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    If it matters, I increased tire pressure (BFG KO2s, stock size) from 35 to 40psi and my eco meter jumped from 16.8 to about 18.5mpg. Looks like you’re on street tires, so off-road tire inefficiency isn’t a factor. Might try tire pressure as an option.
     
  16. Mar 7, 2020 at 7:47 AM
    #16
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    This must depend on the tires and the driver, because I've gotten 20 MPG deflated to 25 PSI. I also tried running 45 PSI in my Tacoma and saw 0 difference in fuel economy.

    Plus, over-inflated tires will wear poorly and cost money in early replacement.
     
  17. Mar 7, 2020 at 8:10 AM
    #17
    Chris In Milwaukee

    Chris In Milwaukee New Member

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    Indeed. There are trade offs for sure. There must be some pretty significant variations in these vehicles, because I’ve never seen 20mpg with mine and I drive like a grandpa. I’ve only got 5K on my tires, so haven’t seen much wear one way or the other.
     
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  18. Mar 7, 2020 at 8:24 AM
    #18
    Marz09

    Marz09 New Member

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    My '20 limited gets about 15mpg around town. According to my kids, I drive like an old man. But on the highway at 70mph, I can get 21mpg.
     
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  19. Mar 7, 2020 at 8:27 AM
    #19
    thirdyota

    thirdyota shouldn't be trusted

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    Mine averages 17mpg overall in mixed city and highway driving.
     
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  20. Mar 7, 2020 at 8:39 AM
    #20
    mcat707

    mcat707 MURDERED TRD

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    I average 15mpg and don’t drive conservative. I’m not a speed racer by any means but I step on it when I need to. This is with mixed city/hwy driving. I can probably average 16/17mpgs if I really wanted to.
     
  21. Mar 7, 2020 at 9:53 AM
    #21
    DRobs

    DRobs New Member

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    Pinstripes, lots of em. Plus a couple dents.
    Last tank hand calculated was 19.2mpg.
    Mpg screen in the dash has been stuck at 18.1 for awhile now.

    I turned off the annoying Eco light but try to stay in the Eco bar.
     
  22. Mar 7, 2020 at 10:06 AM
    #22
    peter2772000

    peter2772000 New Member

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    At the risk of getting crucified...

    A bunch of little tricks can make a bit of a difference;

    - Make sure your tire pressure is correct, IMHO it does make a difference
    - Get yourself a vacuum gauge that you can mount where it's visible while driving. Higher vacuum = lower gas consumption. It'll show you why 65-70MPH is better for your wallet
    - Here's where I'll get fried alive LOL; Oil additives. In the mid-nineties (when I really cared about gas mileage) I tried a few different additives like Slick 50 etc. Slick 50 seemed to increase my mileage by 5-8%. I tried to mimic ambient temps, filled up at the same pump, drove the same circuit at the same speeds...and it really did seem to help. Dunno if the effect was long-term though
     
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  23. Mar 7, 2020 at 10:35 AM
    #23
    h4yd3n

    h4yd3n New Member

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    1. Keep RPM to under 1500 by accelerating more gently
    2. Use cruise control as much as reasonably possible once you reach 40+ miles per hour
     
  24. Mar 7, 2020 at 2:26 PM
    #24
    Georgia Native

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  25. Mar 7, 2020 at 2:38 PM
    #25
    SCMountaineer

    SCMountaineer New Member

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    I average around 18.5, with mostly in town, but not stop and go, driving in my 2020 model. I've yet to take it on a highway trip to say what I might get there. On my 2018, I averaged about 17.5 around town, and got around 20.5 on highway trips, with one trip of about 300 miles even getting 23 mpg.
    I try to keep a pretty light foot, knowing she's thirsty.
     
  26. Mar 7, 2020 at 3:39 PM
    #26
    Chris In Milwaukee

    Chris In Milwaukee New Member

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    I reckon that’s as good as it’s gonna get, right there. Good numbers.
     
  27. Mar 7, 2020 at 4:27 PM
    #27
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    IMG-20200307-WA0008.jpg
     
  28. Mar 7, 2020 at 4:32 PM
    #28
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    I was so careful today about MPG that I started driving as a old Grandma. Tried my best to drive between 60-65 miles per hour speed, keeping lower RPM . So I am getting good MPG now. Avg MPG is still low I will keep u guys posted about that too. I never had a truck before. I jumped from a Honda CR-V to 4Runner so it's a big difference for me.
     
  29. Mar 7, 2020 at 4:35 PM
    #29
    nafees.im

    nafees.im [OP] New Member

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    I can't imagine how 4runner thirsty is. Just knowing bad MPG is not same as facing that after buying it. On average I think I will need 250$ gas per month. It's not that much bad.
     
  30. Mar 7, 2020 at 6:55 PM
    #30
    Texdoc

    Texdoc New Member

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    don't laugh at me nafees.im but I use premium in the 2017 4runner; not the highlander. thanks
     
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