11.4 MPG. Is that normal?

[Pyrenees]

So, I certainly didn't come to complain or act shocked about the gas mileage on this truck. I knew fully what I was getting into. With that out of the way, I wanted to get a litmus test on whether this was normal or not.

My commute is short, about 10 miles each way. Part of it is stop-and-go (I live in a city suburb) and part of it is country roads 45-50 MPH. I rarely do much other than drive to work, just me and maybe 40 pounds of tools in the back. I filled it up, reset the trip meter and drove 150 miles then topped it off again and did the math.

I usually fill it up when I get down to half a tank and alternate between 89 octane and 93 octane when I top it off. The air filter, fuel filter and spark plugs are all brand new and I have no running issues. I've got Royal purple synthetic oil if that matters. tire pressures are correct.

So, is 11.4 MPG actually normal given this scenario? Or should I be getting closer to 13 MPG? (LMAO).

 

[KC100series]

Are you still running the stock tire size? When calculating MPG, are you figuring it yourself or going off of what the screen says? The screen can be inaccurate when computing MPG.

Not sure if you get winter fuel blends where you're at in NC, but that can also contribute to lower MPG. Mine always takes a hit in the winter time with the fuel and a lot of added idling

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Search "mpg", titles only, limit to 100 section. Five pages of threads on this very thing.

In fact, you're doing .1 better than someone that posted this just a month ago:

My average is 11.3 mpg in town, always

 

[CLEcruiser]

4 speed ?, Elevation changes? , Stock tires, mods.
I drive like a grandma and get around 14, with a 5 speed, stock tires.

 

[DanInDenver]

What year is your truck?
What is your driving style (heavy on the gas and breaks)?
Any mods such as bumpers or sliders?

 

[Daddy Rabbit]

I checked my mpg yesterday and got 14.8. I have a 2005 LC that is bone stock..My 1999 that I sold a coupla months ago averaged 12..The computer is always off by about 1mpg..It showed I was getting 13..

 

[Pyrenees]

2001 LX 470, 172k mi, 4-spd. Stock tires, Michelin defenders. Zero modifications. I don't drive like grandma and I'm not a speed demon either. Pretty average on the throttle. Land is relatively flat on my commute. I am not using the computer, this is by the old-fashioned method. I wonder if running a tank of 93 would increase MPG enough to offset the price difference, no idea really. I get my gas at sheetz and BP.

 

[TXLX100]

It sounds a little low, but too many variables to say. I would check the easy stuff like tire pressure and brake rotor temps to determine if a caliper is sticking. I get about 12 in my 1998 with 32" tires & steel wheels

 

[athensrep]

Sounds low. I have a 2000 mostly stock and I get 15.5-16 mixed in Atlanta traffic.

 

[Pyrenees]

other than the air filter/spark plugs/fuel filter, is there anything mechanical (I dunno, like the catalytic converter or O2 sensors) that could contribute to low MPG? I'm not saying I'm going to throw parts at it, but more of a curiosity I guess. I probably only drive 7-8k miles a year so this isn't a huge deal.

 

[leveeguy]

So, I certainly didn't come to complain or act shocked about the gas mileage on this truck. I knew fully what I was getting into. With that out of the way, I wanted to get a litmus test on whether this was normal or not.

My commute is short, about 10 miles each way. Part of it is stop-and-go (I live in a city suburb) and part of it is country roads 45-50 MPH. I rarely do much other than drive to work, just me and maybe 40 pounds of tools in the back. I filled it up, reset the trip meter and drove 150 miles then topped it off again and did the math.

I usually fill it up when I get down to half a tank and alternate between 89 octane and 93 octane when I top it off. The air filter, fuel filter and spark plugs are all brand new and I have no running issues. I've got Royal purple synthetic oil if that matters. tire pressures are correct.

So, is 11.4 MPG actually normal given this scenario? Or should I be getting closer to 13 MPG? (LMAO).

Filling up at half a tank? You're prob missing out on the best MPG which should be between half tank and empty when you're ~80-120 lbs lighter in total vehicle weight.

My MPG is 14-15

 

[Nottajeep]

Wax the rear spoiler

 

[Pyrenees]

Filling up at half a tank? You're prob missing out on the best MPG which should be between half tank and empty when you're ~80-120 lbs lighter in total vehicle weight.

My MPG is 14-15

Man, I didn't even think about that. Really good point, since the gas tanks in these bad boys are huge. I only stopped at halfway because I know I'm going to be disconnecting my battery this weekend to do the alternator brushes and I would lose the trip meter

 

[KraziAzn]

A bit low for a stock rig. I avg 11 MPG with 33" tires, 2.5 lift, sliders, mostly stop and go traffic.
2000 LC, 4 Speed.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

first rule of driving a land cruiser, never pass a gas station. I don't calc my milage because I know it's bad.

you don't buy these rigs for their mpg... you buy them for their smiles per mile. If Toyota would have imported some diesels it'd be a different story. Full ton F350's getting 20+mpg with a tune and exhaust is pretty common.

 

[mrahc]

When I drove down to Philly in October, it was the first time I calculated mileage (out of curiosity). Stock rig aside from 33s (daily driven, have done spark plugs). I managed to see 12MPG average, give or take. I feel like I should be getting more, but in truth, what's me chasing mileage gonna do? I might squeeze 3, maybe 4 more MPGs out of it. If, in doing maintenance, it gets better, great. But with the way I want to build it, it's only gonna get worse. I've just learned that it is what it is, and I haven't bothered to check what I'm getting again. For the money I'd spend chasing those MPGs, I know I won't get it back in fuel savings. So I park it in the right lane when commuting and stick to 65.

The truck is 20 years old. It was a pig then, is now, and it always will be. So, whatever. I'll revel in "good mileage" when I drive my girlfriends car or rent something.

 

[dace voit]

You have too many variables getting in the way of a more accurate measurement. Run the tank all of the way down. Don't switch grades. Drive the same way. Do this for 3 tanks of fuel. Then you can change fuel grade and see how that works. You might not get a huge change but you'll have a better idea.

Of the million or so threads on this topic, yours sounds in the normal range. Maybe a bit low but you need to do the above first to really know. The 4 speed trucks typically have lower mileage than the 5 speed trucks. The VVT-i motors have the potential for better fuel economy as well. On all of that, the LX is heavier than the LC so perhaps that figures in as well...

 

[highonpottery]

Maybe Winter blend gas? Summer blend I get slightly better MPGs at around 14/15mpg

 

[Pyrenees]

you don't buy these rigs for their mpg... you buy them for their smiles per mile.

Couldn't agree with you more. I knew the 100 would have abysmal mileage so I'm not shocked, I was more curious than anything. I made up for the gas guzzler by getting my wife a Honda that averages a cool 38 MPG on 87 octane, haha.

 

[gungriffin]

It certainly is within the lower end of the acceptable range for these trucks. That is well within the normal range if you are lifted with larger tires.