What's with the stinking gas mileage?

Here's my super scientific MPG test.. Just kidding.. LoL

OME lift with 884 coils (2.5 front lift) + KO2 285/70R17 Load C + RCI aluminum full skids + RSG Sliders. Total distance tested 246 Miles. No camping gear or any additional weight. Just food and water.

https://youtu.be/nzrcjKHEKeM

 

My brother just picked up a 2021 TRD pro 3 days ago and is having the same issue.
My 2020 TRD OFF ROAD PREMIUM was getting 19 to 21mpg since I got it in April but just dipped to 17.5 when it got cold.
I do alot of hwy driving as does my brother. 10.2 still seems really low even in the city. I'm on long island so I'm familiar with the area.

 

Nothing to worry about with brand new 4Runners. The mpg will go up once you get 5k-10k miles on it. Mine was around 12 mpg when I first got it, now I am just about to hit 30k miles, and my average mpg for the life of the engine is 16.7.

 

Thanks for saying this ... It actually does make me feel much better...

BUT... It does seem weird... My 2015 Xterra Pro4X, which I also got brand new, definitely never had such low mileage (it was about 20mpg) ... Even in the first 3000 to 4000 miles.

 

My 20 with just shy of 5k is getting around 13.8-14.2 with 98% city lifted with 285’s but the dealer when I took it in for service (knew I would break 5k traveling for Christmas) said pretty much the same as @MattO2786 he said after the initial break in that I would see it go back up to around 14.8-15.2 with the tires and lift. But to not expect more. Also said that winter mix fuel will cause a lower mpg. I don’t really care I didn’t buy it to get astounding mileage and compared to my Tacoma lifted on 35’s and reheated this thing is a freakin Prius lol. But we will most likely regear mine before we go to Alaska this coming year.

 

Update from the OP: i just finished my 2nd gas fill-up and the final gas-mileage numbers are.... (drumroll please) .....approx 14 MPG! That's across 211 miles, approx 5/8ths highway driving.... So, much better than the ~9.8 MPG that I was initially so concerned by....

I'm also happy to report that while highway driving (only) even the internal MPG calculator was displaying approx 19.8 MPG ... so, i'm feeling much better about things with my new 2021 TRD ORP...

One thing is for sure: 4Runner is horrendous in city Driving. Probably, the internal MPG calculator should exclude any idling of more than 1 minute, just because it tends to skew the numbers down so much... If I sit in my car for 45 minutes with the engine & heat on, reading, or talking on the phone (as I do sometimes) it really can sully the numbers...

Anyway, thank you all for your patience, understanding, input, advice, support & guidance! Appreciated!

 

FYI- I just got my first 4runner- 2021 TRD Venture. We had the dealer install KO2s right out of the gate. With 1,000 miles on it so far it's only getting about 15.5MPG. We do primarily hwy driving, so I was expecting a little better. I assume the tires and the Yakima basket might be pulling the MPGs down though...

 

Have you done the right foot mod yet ? It’s simple your instinct to mash harder.... don’t.


My wife has a 21 venture and 285/70/17 ridge grapplers with 2” lift and basket on top still getting about 16.8-17.3

 

Sounds on par with my 3rd gen. Though I'm sure you have VVT so in theory you should see an improvement over mine, but yours is also 1,000lbs heavier than mine.

That idling calc is good for you Should train you to turn your engine off unless you really need it

Also, triple check you tire pressures. I notice if mine get in the mid 20s, I lose like a full mpg on my truck.

 

Brick aero package
Heavy as f
Tall
Reliability & versatility +
Stop & go traffic...
lets celebrate anything that resembles 16+ mpg

 

Steady cruise on local autobahn
Speed kills mpg

 

The dash screen is a lot different than my 2018. You’re showing averages. Can you also display the current MPG?

 

What is your cruising speed? Above 65-70 the mileage really tanks.

I'm getting better than that on 285's with a lift and 500+ LBS of constant weight.

Agreed!

 

It is displayed - blue horizontal bar shows current

 

It looks like average to me.

 

285/70/17 Falken Mud Terrains
TRD Bilstein suspension with 2/1.5 Cornfed Spacers
Gobi Stealth Rack
Spidertrax Wheel Spacers
Sprint Booster set to green 5 (sometimes 4)

Average 14-15 mpgs
If I’m really on it, I can dip into the low 12’s

 

You’re right. Underlying triangle is pointing to the average mileage. Blue bar actually moves to indicate current. So, if while driving I lay off gas - blue bar will instantaneously move to max, underlying triangle will adjust after the average has been affected.

 

OK, I see now. I notice that on a flat straight highway in ideal conditions (warm day, light cargo load, 65-70MPH, not downhill or coasting) I can never get more than 21-22 MPG instantaneous. Which matches the EPA stated number. Pushing the old heavy brick down the road...

 

My last 6 fill-ups:

168.6m / 10.727g = 15.71 mpg
270.2m / 15.203g = 17.77 mpg
153m / 8.136g = 18.8 mpg
262.2m / 13.178g = 19.89 mpg
156.7m 9.658g = 16.22 mpg
238.4m / 13.337g = 17.87 mpg

Average = 17.71 mpg

 

Yeah I drive about 75mph, but my wife likes to go closer to 80...
But I did an experiment the other day. Did the same exact drive (about 20 miles round trip) with the same driving speed/conditions, once with the Yakima Load Warrior and once without it (sorry forgot to take pictures).
With the Yakima basket = 14.4mpg
Without the basket = 17.7mpg
Difference = 3.3mpg.
Might have to remove it until it's needed or find something different...
I like the look of the TRD Pro roof rack, I wonder how that affects mileage??
Before everyone chimes in which roof rack I should get, I have no need for a rooftop tent or anything like that as we have a camper. lol

 

That's pretty crazy. That thing shouldn't have that much drag. I'd repeat 2 more times to make it scientific.

 

Ouch! Try the same drive at 65. I did a similar experiment once with mine. Loaded, and had the Yakima Off-grid basket on top. At 65 MPH, 21.5 MPG. At 80-85 MPH, 16 MPG.

 

This is from the Westcott Designs web site: "We designed the rack to have no wind noise at any speed with any of our light configurations. It gets just over 2 more mpg than the Gobi rack."
(https://westcottdesigns.net/product/toyota-4runner-5th-gen-modular-roof-rack/)

If you believe that (and it sounds like they know what they are talking about), a rack can easily impact fuel economy by over 2mpg...

 

Yeah, I also read somewhere else that ski racks can affect MPGs by 20-30%...
That Wescott is a nice looking rack- similar to a Prinsu, but I haven't seen that brand before. Someone on a different thread said the effect on mileage from a Prinsu on their 4runner was negligible.
If Wescott had a 3/4 rack (and money was no object) I might actually go for it!

 

285 tires and larger roof racks are MPG killers. Went from averaging 17.5mpgs down to 14mpgs with 285 Falken M/T’s and a Gobi Stealth rack.

 

The wind deflectors on those racks are basically a 6” x 48” sail. So at 80mph, it’s gonna affect mpg significantly.

 

Been a 4R owner for a bit over two months now.
Checked gas mileage today. 19.5mpg for the last week.
This with studded snow tires on.
No roof rack yet and I probably average 50mph.

 

Yeah it’s time to pull the 285’s and put stock size back on. Come summer gas will be up to $5.00 or more for gas.

 

It’s coming fast.

 

Most recent MPG:

146.7m / 9.488g = 15.46mpg
171.7m / 10.259g = 16.73mpg
145.3m / 8.090g = 17.96mpg
256.7m / 13.232g = 19.39mpg
183.2m / 11.356g = 16.13
184.3m / 10.203g = 18.06
238m / 13.326g = 17.85
250.9m / 13.985g = 17.94
115.7m / 7.107g = 16.27

Average = 17.31mpg