Gas Mileage issues

So, I've seen/heard a lot of chatter online about reasons gas mileage suffers in the 4 Runners. Most of the reasons are upgraded tires, lifts, roof racks, etc. I just bought my wife a 5th Gen SR5 (2014 with no modifications) and we are averaging about 14 mpg. This seems extremely low as I have a friend who has the same model and is a 2012 and he is getting 17-18.

We drive a lot in town, but seem to only get about a half gallon more on the freeway. It seems to me that there is an answer as to why the low mileage. In your opinion(s), where should I start and where should I end regarding improving my gas mileage?

Thanks for the input!

 

Your right foot will make a bigger difference than anything you can do mechanically.

 

Driving habits. How fast are you going on the highway?

 

speed. lead foot eats up fuel. in my gen 3, 70 +. gas mileage is lousy. under 65. gas mileage improves greatly/

 

Not sure what type of climate you live in, but cold weather is a minus also.

 

So, for starters is it safe to say you did not buy the 4R for it’s stellar gas mileage? If you want great mileage get the RAV4 Hybrid, my wife’s gets 50+ in the city and 40+ on the highway. Remember you are driving a brick. one that will take you anywhere you want to go. I added a Long Range America 24 gallon auxiliary gas tank for extended range.

 

Runner should come equipped with the 24gal as standard, similar to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo I had. Not sure why not besides weight.

If I ever do a trailer I will install an aux fuel tank in it.

 

14 for stop and go around town in the winter doesn't sound abnormal.

How are you figuring out your mileage? Hand calculating miles driven divided by gallons to fill is the most accurate way.

And how are you figuring freeway mileage? For freeway, the only way to accurately determine is to fill the tank, jump on the freeway for a few hundred miles, then exit and immediately refuel. If you're just jumping on for a few miles here and there, it's not going to positively effect mileage much.

Driving style is the biggest factor. Drive with a light foot, accelerate gradually, letting the vehicle shift before 2k RPM, anticipate stops/red lights and coast up to them, (no stoplight drags only to need to jack up on the brakes at the next light) and keep it under 70mph on the highway.

A good rule of thumb is that anytime you hear the motor, you're driving less than efficiently. (These seem to be a good bit noisier over 2k RPM)

When mine was stock, I regularly averaged over 20 driving like that, though mostly freeway.

 

Can't tell where you are, but here in PA we are dead center in the "Winter Blend" period for gas. Winter Blend fuel burns about 10% less efficiently than what I might call "Regular Blend". Coupled with general combustion penalties for cold weather, winter warm up times, . . . I generally see about 2 mpg less in the winter. Good luck.

 

My month old 2022 4Runner OR has also averaged around 17-18 mpg in various driving conditions but overall I've been driving with a pretty light foot. It's been very cold in Ontario this February, and we have winter gas as well, so I'm thinking it will only get better.
In the summer I do a fair bit of trailer pulling, so that ought to be interesting, but I didn't buy this vehicle for it's stellar gas mileage.

 

Stay below 60. If you drive at 70 you won't get much more than 16 unless you live at a higher elevation.

 

If you live where winter gas is used, that will lower mileage. City driving and speeds above 70 will kill mileage as well.

The 4runner has a 23 gallon tank.

 

I have gotten 20+ at 70. But, 55-60 is even better. 75-80 seems to be where it really tanks. Lower elevation is better for fuel economy.

 

Thats what I thought but I get 19+ in Utah and Colorado and never crack 17 in Texas. I just got back from both those places. Around town I get in the 14's with stop and go. When going 70 and up in Texas I won't get more than 17. I don't really care because getting an extra 1-2 mpg is minuscule in savings.

 

That's weird. I have gotten my best at 65-ish, but got 21 at 70 in Florida once. It depends on weather, also. I got 17-18 at 70 with a kayak on the roof last Friday in Florida. Once I got further north, I was getting 14.

 

Lots of reasons. I know many people have a different driving style than I do. Mine is not good for gas mileage. For the OP, use as little throttle as possible to get to desired speeds and that should help. If you have stop and go traffic thats the worst for mileage. You need perfect conditions to get the 16/19 that the 4R supposedly gets.

 

Yes, temperature, altitude, winter vs summer gas (which probably isn't a factor in Texas), cruising speed, acceleration, etc.

Driving like a granny doesn't really help. I've tried. There seems to be a sweet spot between 2000 and 2500 RPM's.

 

I should also mention I use a Pedal commander. That definitely doesn't help but it makes driving the 4R bearable.

 

I think you can still get good mileage, but you have to have a light foot. Or use the economy setting. I've gotten so used to the stock throttle response that it doesn't bother me. I just know to floor it if I want to move quickly.

 

I like the acceleration way too much. I've gone back to stock and its awful.

 

Tires? Ensure they are inflated properly. Too low equals more rolling resistance, premature tire wear and is a big safety issue. Also could the engine be in need of a tune-up and/or throttle body clean out? Check your exhaust system for any restrictions. Lots of little things can effect fuel mileage. Welcome and enjoy your new toy!

 

At full throttle, it's the same either way.

 

I have noticed the same thing. Just give it the spurs (gently) and get up to speed reasonably quickly. Not wide open throttle, but enough to be in the meaty part of the torque band.

 

These things have a eco mode lol? I know my wife’s rav 4 does.

 

Yes, but this is way better IMO. Its way quicker and less work.

 

No. I was referring to the throttle control devices some people are using.

 

yup. its called leaving the keys at home.

lol

 

Gotcha, was gonna say there’s nothing eco about these things, hand calculated (winter here in ny) mix of highway and around town I got 15 mpg, the dash was off by 1 mpg.

 

I have found two things that make a big difference for me... one is not surprising. WIND. If I'm driving in spots where the wind is in my face, it seems to drop my mileage to 16-17 mpg range (all other things being as equal as possible).

Also, The Radar Cruise Control seems to get worse mileage than not using Cruise at all AND if I use "normal" cruise control without the Radar Control (you can hold down the Cruise Control "on" button to bypass the sensor). That Radar Control seems to use a lot of braking when in heavy traffic or when people slow-down unexpectedly in front of me. I seem to be taking a 1-2 mpg hit between that and non-cruise or non-radar cruise.

I do also find that this vehicle "hunts" for gears a LOT on mild inclines at times. 3rd/4th/5th, back and forth a lot more than I'm used to. I suspect that has an impact as well.

So far, my Fuelly App's average is 18.9 mpg, worst was 16.8 and best was 21.0. This is after 26 fill ups (~7K miles). No Lift / Stock tires / no engine or drivetrain mods. My "city" driving is minimal. Off road is negligible so far, aside from a few brief stints. A good bit of winter "warm-up / idling" time in Jan and Feb.

 

I have to try holding this on button down, if we can really bypass the radar cruise control I will love this vehicle even more, most ANNOYING thing I ever experienced driving. Real nice when someone cuts you off, and the vehicle slams on the brakes & makes a semi truck almost hit you on the thruway.