2012 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4X4 MPGs....

[Asanelli]

So basically i am looking to possible purchase a newer generation ie: 2010+ Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 4.0L 5 Speed Automatic.

However before doing so i want to check with the gurus here and see if it is possible to achieve better than OEM/EPA ratings.

With that regard the truck in question that I am thinking about is rated for 16 City and 21 Highway.

So my question is do you believe it is possible to attain 25 MPG Highway. As i currently drive 50 miles round trip everyday for work.

My anticipated modifications would likely be the following.

Aero Bed Shell (DIY Kammback style)
Folded Mirrors
Max Out Tire Pressure
Front Air Dam
Front Grill Block
Electric Fan
Full Flat Bottom
Rear Fender Well Skirts (maybe)
Smooth Wheel Disks (maybe)
Scan Gauge


Please let me know what you thoughts are.

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by Asanelli

So basically i am looking to possible purchase a newer generation ie: 2010+ Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 4.0L 5 Speed Automatic.

However before doing so i want to check with the gurus here and see if it is possible to achieve better than OEM/EPA ratings.

With that regard the truck in question that I am thinking about is rated for 16 City and 21 Highway.

So my question is do you believe it is possible to attain 25 MPG Highway. As i currently drive 50 miles round trip everyday for work.

My anticipated modifications would likely be the following.

Aero Bed Shell (DIY Kammback style)
Folded Mirrors
Max Out Tire Pressure
Front Air Dam
Front Grill Block
Electric Fan
Full Flat Bottom
Rear Fender Well Skirts (maybe)
Smooth Wheel Disks (maybe)
Scan Gauge


Please let me know what you thoughts are.

At what speed are you hoping to hit 25mpg highway? I would venture to guess you'd be close to that in stock form at 50mph. If you are hoping to hit that mpg at 70+ you would likely hit it or come close with your list of mods. I would add light synthetic fluids to your list, especially if you don't plan on much towing. Do some research to come to a conclusion on what you're comfortable with for your application in that regard.

[aardvarcus]

What speed(s) to you drive, and do you have much stop and go or is it all highway? The weight of the truck hurts when in stop and go, and the relatively high drag coefficient hurts when at high speeds.

I would think that if you did everything on that list and you drove conservatively you should be able to attain 25 MPG from the V6/Automatic. The automatic will hold you back when it comes to driving style.

I have a Tacoma of the same body style, a 2005 Access Cab 4x4 2.7L I4 5 Speed Manual. My truck is rated at 18/21/19 and the one you are looking at is rated 16/21/18. I consistently beat 25 MPG out of my truck, but I attribute most of that to the stick shift and driving style. I have a similar mod list that I am slowly checking off. You can look at my thread and my fuel log to get some ideas if you haven’t already.

I would suggest getting a manual, but given the gearing that comes with the manual versus automatic the difference probably won’t be as pronounced. It would be better if the 6 speed manual had a lower overdrive gear, as it is only 0.85:1. A T56 transmission swap kit is available, which would provide the opportunity to put in a much lower overdrive gear (like 0.5:1), but obviously that would cost a pretty penny.

[Asanelli]

Originally Posted by mikeyjd

At what speed are you hoping to hit 25mpg highway? I would venture to guess you'd be close to that in stock form at 50mph. If you are hoping to hit that mpg at 70+ you would likely hit it or come close with your list of mods. I would add light synthetic fluids to your list, especially if you don't plan on much towing. Do some research to come to a conclusion on what you're comfortable with for your application in that regard.

As far as speed between 55mpgh and 75mph.

Ah yes i would likely go full synthetics.

My intended usage for the vehicle would be to use it for camping but need to commute as well at least initially. Until i buy an older civic.

[Asanelli]

Originally Posted by aardvarcus

What speed(s) to you drive, and do you have much stop and go or is it all highway? The weight of the truck hurts when in stop and go, and the relatively high drag coefficient hurts when at high speeds.

I would think that if you did everything on that list and you drove conservatively you should be able to attain 25 MPG from the V6/Automatic. The automatic will hold you back when it comes to driving style.

I have a Tacoma of the same body style, a 2005 Access Cab 4x4 2.7L I4 5 Speed Manual. My truck is rated at 18/21/19 and the one you are looking at is rated 16/21/18. I consistently beat 25 MPG out of my truck, but I attribute most of that to the stick shift and driving style. I have a similar mod list that I am slowly checking off. You can look at my thread and my fuel log to get some ideas if you haven’t already.

I would suggest getting a manual, but given the gearing that comes with the manual versus automatic the difference probably won’t be as pronounced. It would be better if the 6 speed manual had a lower overdrive gear, as it is only 0.85:1. A T56 transmission swap kit is available, which would provide the opportunity to put in a much lower overdrive gear (like 0.5:1), but obviously that would cost a pretty penny.

ah interesting thanks

[elhigh]

If you can live without the 4x4 (Colorado, maybe not), a 4x2 with a limited-slip diff will get you out of a lot of tight situations while providing much better fuel economy the rest of the time. You're going to sacrifice a lot of fuel economy and money the rest of the year for the limited amount of time you need all four wheels pulling.

For a fair amount of space, full-time AWD and better fuel economy in general, have you looked at something like a Subaru Outback? One word of warning: avoid the EJ25 engine. Aside from that they're pretty good.

There's a guy here with a Forester (he calls it Forester Whitaker) that beats 25mpg every time, and cracks 30mpg pretty often. The 2011+ model Foresters got the new FB series engine, which is supposed to be quite a bit more reliable than the EJ. It also made the switch to timing chains instead of belts, which is important to me in particular.

[Asanelli]

Originally Posted by elhigh

If you can live without the 4x4 (Colorado, maybe not), a 4x2 with a limited-slip diff will get you out of a lot of tight situations while providing much better fuel economy the rest of the time. You're going to sacrifice a lot of fuel economy and money the rest of the year for the limited amount of time you need all four wheels pulling.

For a fair amount of space, full-time AWD and better fuel economy in general, have you looked at something like a Subaru Outback? One word of warning: avoid the EJ25 engine. Aside from that they're pretty good.

There's a guy here with a Forester (he calls it Forester Whitaker) that beats 25mpg every time, and cracks 30mpg pretty often. The 2011+ model Foresters got the new FB series engine, which is supposed to be quite a bit more reliable than the EJ. It also made the switch to timing chains instead of belts, which is important to me in particular.

That thought about getting a 2wd truck has cross my mind, and then just getting an air locker for when it gets real hairy.

[elhigh]

I've been reading up on the FB engine in newer Subarus. There's been a lot about excessive oil consumption, so maybe you should stay away from Subarus.

Air locker, chains, and a steady hand will get you pretty far.

[kir_kenix]

I would say that with your list of mods (adding in full synthetics all the way around like has been suggested) it should be pretty doable. If most of your commute is highway anyway. Stop and go is going to eat into the mileage of any heavy 4x4.

If you don't mind the ride of load range C or E tires, you can bump the tire pressure up pretty significantly during the summer months...plus they last a lot longer to boot. In my experience, P rated tires should be avoided on pretty much any truck...except maybe 4 banger s10/ranger/Toyota's that are never going to get loaded up or pull a trailer.

Consider buying the beater Civic first? Would save you a bundle of cash over commuting in the truck, even if gas stays around $2/gallon.

[Asanelli]

yes a beater civic is the main thought