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Pickups Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tacoma Real World MPG Numbers
351 messages, Last post on Nov 30, 2009 at 3:00 PM
You are in the Toyota Tacoma Forum. Your Host is kcram
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Replying to: gas_gusler (Jul 20, 2009 9:12 am) Ever notice that a Prius has little skinny tires and it isn't jacked up 3' in the air? It's called "less rolling resistance" and aerodynamics. Been there, done that. Big tires cost me 2 MPG. K&N and Flowmasters cost me torque, and no improvement in MPG. Jacking it up changes the aerodynamics so that 60 MPH is now like trying to move through the wind at 90 MPH. But it sure looks cool 
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I keep hoping someone will have hooked up a Scan Gauge to their Tacoma, so they can post results of what kind of driving behavior gets the best gas mileage on the 2.7 and 4.0 engines. I just drove a new Honda Fit the other day, which has a fuel economy gauge on the dash right in front of the driver. I think EVERY car sold in the US should be required to have one !!! |
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Replying to: fastfreddy (Oct 25, 2008 11:10 am) |
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2009 DBL-Cab, long bed. Just turned 20K miles. MPG 20-22 city/highway. Very pleased with results. Great truck. The bed cover didn't change MPG. TSB installed to cover load/handling. (new shocks and 4 rear springs). Mick |
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I'm kicking tires on the new Tacomas to decide on my next Toyota. I really like my current Rav4 and am spoiled by its 25 mpg but my needs have changed and I'm ready to get back into a Toyota truck. I was just going to go with what I had in the past; a base 4cyl. As I checked out the specs I noticed the base 4cyl Prerunner is about the same money. The EPA MPG estimates CLAIM to be the same for both of these 2wd models but I'm not convinced. Even if you don't take the higher resistance caused by the larger mud and snow tires or by the higher profile of the Prerunner into account, I can't see how the Prerunner could even come close to the regular Base 2wd for MPG. According to 2 different published sources, the gear ratios inside the 5sp manual tranny are the same for both models. The only published difference being the Base 2wd has a 3.307 rear diff and the Prerunner has the 4.10 rear. I ran calculations for the 2 different rear diff ratios ( taking into account the difference in tire diameters) and I show that the Prerunner mill will turn approx. 200 rpm higher at (my) average highway speeds. Am I missing something? Did EPA miss something? Did Toyota find a loophole in reporting MPG specs for the Prerunner? As I said, I'm really spoiled by the 25 mpg I'm getting with the Rav4. When I priced the 2 models equipped as I want, there is almost no difference in price. The Prerunner comes equiped with options that I already want on the Base model and the extra payload capacity of the Prerunner sounds good for when I haul camping gear. Like most people I want to have my cake and eat it too but am not wanting to have a rude awakening if the MPG for the Prerunner in reality is significantly lower than advertised. I'm on a very fixed income and the MPG makes a big difference in my daily driving. I am a very conservative driver and am willing consider changing tires on a Prerunner to a compound that would improve highway mileage. So... I'm turning to you in hopes of getting some real world numbers for a Regular Cab - 4cyl - 5sd - Prerunner.
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Replying to: kickingtires (Nov 27, 2009 10:19 pm) A shorter (numerically larger) ratio will increase mechanical advantage-increase low speed torque, but will cause the engine to rev at a higher RPM while cruising. A taller (numerically smaller) ratio will decrease mechanical advantage-decrease low speed torque, but will cause the engine to rev at a lower RPM while cruising. This can easily be demonstrated on a bicycle with multiple speeds/gears. Put the chain on the largest gear on the cassette on the rear wheel and on the smallest gear on the crankset. The result is all torque, no speed. You, as the engine, won't have to apply much force to get rolling, but will have to pedal at high rate to maintain any speed. Conversely. Put the chain on the smallest gear on the cassette on the rear wheel and on the largest gear on the crankset. The result is no torque,all speed. You, as the engine, will have to apply tremendous force just to get rolling. But once rolling, you can pedal at a slower rate. Changing tires will affect MPG to a degree. A taller tire will help to make the R&P ratio seem taller, slowing RPMs. But as tires increase in height, they also increase in width which will lower fuel efficiency. The contact patch will be larger creating more rolling resistance. Also a larger tire is heavier and more expensive. Additionally, the more aggressive the tread pattern, the more rolling resistance, noise, vibration present. Will the money saved on fuel offset the cost of five new tires(spare must be same size)? If you drive in more stop&go traffic, the taller ratio will require more throttle to get up to speed, decreasing MPG. If you drive on the highway, the higher engine RPM will decrease your MPG. I've tried to find the magic bullet for the same issues with my Jeep and have just given up. The Jeep fills the bill for me in terms of wants/needs, so I just accept it. Hope this helps. |
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