Gas mileage 12 miles per gallon whats up with this 1999 4runner 3.4 V6 4wd AT

Just bought this a few months ago and was wondering why the fuel mileage seemed so poor runs great real peppy start great idles great no lights on have just be doing city driving in 2WD tires are 265/70/R16 LTX any ideas or is this normal also don't smell fuel thanks

 

not sure where your located but colder weather nukes my mileage every year, also when is the last time you changed plugs and filters?

 

did air filter fast and easy no change

 

also how are you figuring your mileage, you're dividing miles driven by gallon right, and are the tires stock sized or larger, that can throw it off as well. When you say you changed the air filter how long ago, also the plugs? and is it really cold where you are?

 

Lots of factors involved that can create poor gas mileage. Maybe list all of the add ons you have on the vehicle, a list of maintenance items that you've done recently, and a list of maintenance items that you've done previously and how long ago.

 

thanks there is lots of good info on line on how to improve the gas mileage

 

If you really romp it around town and never go on the highway what would you expect it to get?

Basic maintenance, changing all fluids to a synthetic, and driving like you want to get good mileage always seemed to help me.

 

you would think at least in the high teens considering i have own V8's in way heavier cars and trucks and ran them way harder and ended up getting 12mpg

 

Yeah Toyota trucks just because they don't have a V8 do no get great mileage when you romp on them. I have the 4 cylinder in my Tacoma and don't get good mileage at all. I do drive it hard and it is a lot heavier than stock, and has a solid axle under it though.

 

whoa there u go i thought i should of got a 4 cylinder if i wanted good mileage yup run it hard have some fun it's going to cost u anyway

 

Take your mass air flow sensor out and clean it with MAF Sensor cleaner as instructed on the can.

Could also try injector cleaner (Lucas or other) in your next full tank of gas.

I have gotten no lower than 18 mpg, so 12 is pretty bad unless you have bigger tires etc.

 

I had (sold it last week going to get another one soon) a 1999 4x4 Manual 3.4 v6 4Runner with 285/70r17 (33's) on it and as jester243 said, depending on where and how much the temperature drops, that really affects your gas mileage. During the summer here in Seattle I got around 17ish mpg but as soon as cold weather hit, it dropped down to 12mpg.

It sucked but I didn't mine fillin her up since I loved it so much.

 

I purchased a 99 4runner 4 cylinder because of gas and it still sucks Haha i couldn’t imagine the V6. These trucks just aren’t good on gas.