Why does it seem my 4runner guzzles gas! (please dont say gas prices)?

I drive a 1994 Toyota 4runner! I know its known for low MPG. I think I get about 10 MPG according to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/





What can I do to get better MPG? Repairs? Tweaks? The idle is very low. What causes MPG to decrease?





my husband and I think I get less than 10 MPG. He's gonna make me sell my 4runner for a more fuel effecient car. HELP!!
Why does it seem my 4runner guzzles gas! (please dont say gas prices)?
Don't go chasing bad MPG unless you are sure of it. You could be spending time and money chasing ghosts. So try this experiment first:





(a) fill the tank to the max


(b) get on the HWY - late night / no traffic hour


(c) drive about 20 to 30 miles (at 55 MPH)


(d) use cruise control - very important


(e) note the EXACT MILES


(f) get off and immediately get gas


(g) note the EXACT GALLONS





Now you can calculate the MPG by


MPG = MILES (step e) / GALLONS (step g).





The reason you start out with full tank is that is the "repeateable" condition. You want to avoid traffic so you don't use the brakes on the HWY. Braking will negatively affect the MPG calculation. You use the cruise control so you and eliminate your driving habit as a factor.





Without a good MPG calculation you might be wasting your money chasing ghosts. Also you can repeat this test anytime you feel like you car is not running right. You can also try the same thing but off the cruise control to check how much your driving habit affect the MPG. etc.





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There are few thing you can do to save (or maximize) gas MPG. First get a tune-up.





(1) spark plugs


(2) spark plug wires


(3) distributors, coil, rotors (if you have them).


(4) new air filter


(5) PCV


(6) correct tire pressure


(7) clear the trunk of useless heavy items


(8) spray clean MAF sensors





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Forget all those "SAVE GAS" scams. This was on NBC morning TV show. The difference is as much as 38% (their claim). There are very simple rules to save gas:





(1) drive slow - not too much past 55


(2) accelerate slowly


(3) don't brake unnecessarily


(4) use cruise control - whenever it is safe to do so.





Don't coast - it is NOT safe and it does NOT save gas.





The above really works. Using those simple rules I was able to drive from Boston to NYC (210.5 miles) on just 5.112 gallon (94 Civic). That's 41 MPG (94 Civic 187K miles). Actually I was speeding at 72 MPH so I could do even better at 55.





WOW !!





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Compare before and after MPG using the first set of rule any time you think your MPG has changed.








Good Luck...





=== UPDATE ===





One greatly over looked sensor is the WATER TEMP sensor. If this sensor fails, the computer constantly think the engine is cold (forever) and runs the car in RUN RICH (extra fuel burned) mode. And to top it off, the great check engine light does not even come on (because in the extreme cold it really does take forever to warm up - and this is a correct behavior but only for extreme winter).
Why does it seem my 4runner guzzles gas! (please dont say gas prices)?
Heavy truck, small engine, the engine has to work harder to get the car moving.
Reply:It's a V6 i take it..Petrol 4x4's tend to use between 15 and 20 litres per 100km / 60 miles. I know petrol patrols use 20L and my dads v6 pathfinder uses 17L. My diesel 4x4 uses around 10/11 L / per 100km. You could convert it to LPG which would cost a couple of grend but fuel is about 1/2 price





I did an experiment the other week, Every time i came to a down hill or could see it was stopped far ahead i wacked it into nuetral and coasted.(DO NOT TRY IT IF IT IS AUTO) I managed an extra 100km out of my tank. It is not a good thing to do long term as you increase wear and tear on just about everything.....
Reply:OK the 4 runner that you have has a 3,0 V-6 right ? good truck, but its a heavy vehicle and you need to really give it the gas when your going on the freeway , the 1994 was a good year, but fuel was cheaper ,then, I like the 4 runner well built, but poor fuel, you can buy a new 4 runner and get great power and and great fuel millage, 14 year sine that was built they have come a long way sounds like to me you still like the 4 runner feel, so stay with that type of truck ,cause a Chevy 3/4 ton four door long bed brand new gets 10 miles to the gallon, now that's with all the bells and whistles, so don't go that direction, I would go to the ford dealer and test drive a sport track or a freestyle all most 40 mpg 4x4 and east to drive and 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, and very powerful more than the Toyota, and better on fuel, buy American keep it strong
Reply:I can't offer you any help with your current vehicle, but I live in the UK %26amp; we have 4Runners over here, as well as a lot of Japanese import Toyota Surfs. In the UK, we pay a terrific amount fo fuel, so these vehicles tend to mainly be diesels, and I know the Toyotas are considered heavy on fuel here too: The UK vehicles are 99% manuals, but the imports are mainly autos, and I know the average for a diesel auto is around 20-24mpg.


If you like the car, look for a diesel: I know they're not common in the US, but I feel they'll become a lot more so as your fuel prices go up.


Performance wise, turbo diesels offer a lot more low down power: If you can afford a newer one, their performance is fantastic - I have a 2 litre turbo diesel Vauxhall van which is much, much quicker than my 2 litre Honda Accord VTec.


ps Today, we're paying $10.00 a gallon for petrol %26amp; $11.31 a gallon for diesel.


Hope it doesn't come your way too quick!
Reply:put taller tyres on it and fit lpg

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