13 mpg ???

I am wondering if new plugs, wires and coils would help improve the mpg. Truck has 200,000+ miles.
I'm sure this has been covered many times already. Thanks for your time.

 

Along with a good fuel system cleaner. Might net ya 2-3.
Edit: depending how you drive it. I'm loaded pretty heavy, drive like a granny and get between 12-14

 

I’m at 75k and still get 13mpg. It’s just normal.

 

Drive train setup? Has mpg drastically reduced recently? Winter grade fuel? 13 with these beast isn't horrible city wise in the winter.

 

I’ve got 35’s riding on a 6” of lift. I’d be thrilled with 13 mpg lol.

 

I'm getting around 14 in south Texas. Think it's just normal. I do have about 300lbs of armor though.

 

I get in the neighborhood of 11.5mpg around town.

 

Welcome to the forums. You’re right, this has been covered quite a bit. If you search “poor mpg” or something similar, you’ll find plenty of threads with people suggesting what you can do to help.

Other things like cleaning of your throttle body can help too.

 

Good day to all. Wanted to say thank you it all the replies. Just looked up some parts on Rock Auto. Pretty expensive to get the parts, especially the coils. Did want to know what you all suggest for the additive...sea foam, redline, marvel mystery, etc. ?
Thanks again.

 

STP super concentrated or STP total system cleaner are good ones. I've always paid for the service, their equipment is a little more thorough

 

All of the above are good maintenance items to help maintain optimum performance. I'll throw another one in here. O2 sensors. These things are what actually determines your fuel mix based on how accurate it can read the exhaust composition. They get dirty over time without "failing" and can give suboptimal results. New O2 sensors can have a dramatic effect on MPG in high mileage vehicles.

 

I knew an engineer that worked for Shell and help design their formulary for gasoline. He recommended BG 44k Platinum. Yes, it is more expensive than most.

I would NOT use Marvel Mystery Oil. We have catalytic converters and the two do not seem to work well together. Marvel Mystery Oil is 70% Naphthenic Hydrocarbons. 29% Mineral Spirits. Used in gasoline it’s more of a upper cylinder lube than it is a cleaner.

You may want to consider using a modern low oil, PEA fuel system cleaner.

 

Techron is a proven fuel system cleaner. Not snake oil, actual science. Great at removing carbon buildup.

 

BG 44k Platinum is expensive. Can you supply a link to the scientific articles? I like to read them. Thanks!

 

Strangest thing. Been using arco 87 for last couple years, getting 15 on the freeway. Last tank i got costco 91 and averaged 18 on the freeway

 

Appears the articles (likely because of age) are few and behind paywalls for access. Most of the studies are very old as the additive was first formulated over 60 years ago. The active ingredient is PEA, which is now available in some other fuel treatments (likely licensed from Chevron).

https://www.sae.org/publications/technical-papers/content/831709/

 

Can't supply any sort of proof other than experience, but I've regularly used 44k to help with mileage and drivability complaints as a tech. I usually recommended a can of it every 15-20k miles, and whenever doing a tune up.

Here's my '15 Crewmax. Leveled on 295/70R18 Nitto RG's. This is over the life of the truck, but this is what I'm currently set up on. I do a lot of towing, at least once a month though for a while it was weekly. This truck has been great to me, and I'll just say, as most people do, I didn't buy it expecting decent mileage. Could I get better if I shed some weight and tire size? Yes. But it's just one of those things I've accepted. I would say my driving style is spirited, but not crazy. I don't rocket from stoplights, but I do get going. I'm also a habitual speeder, usually 5-15 over unfortunately.

This is my first time doing it, but if you click the little emblem with my 13.7 mpg logo, it'll take you to my fuelly profile and give you a breakdown of my fuel logs.

 

I'm right around 13 in my 2016 pro.

 

Don't know where you live but I consistently get 15.5 or a little better during the summer. During winter I drop to about 13, less if I use the 4wd. Your mileage doesn't look too out of line to me. I'm at 252,000+ right now. I use a can of Sea Foam once a month with a fill up. Don't know that it helps but I figure it couldn't hurt.

 

Some of us view this thread as a brag

 

No.

Only thing that will increase it is a lighter foot and 50-60mph max speed.

I can get up to 18mpg on rural roads marked 50mph. Highway only I generally get 16-17 at 65mph.


The upside, you will never have any repairs regarding cylinder deactivation like the GM's and Rams have to make those higher mpg numbers. You also will never have issues with turbos like Ford does to make those mpg numbers.

 

Are you using the Computer Dash Display for the MPG - L/100 ?
Tundras start out high or bad - 60L/100 and 4 MPG. You need a decent trip for it to drop and even it out.
And if you have been idlng for a while the numbers are thrown off.

Set your display to Total Average and not Trip or Tank Average.
This is more accurate and it allows you to reset the number once you actually start moving and also as you drive.
Works good if you want to see for example what you are getting if you hit the highway.
Try it if you are not doing it.
My overall average since I bought my truck new in 2018 is 17 MPG.

 

Have you always achieved 13mpg in this truck or was it higher and recently dropped to 13? That would help for us to give suggestions.

 

13 MPG is not bad.

 

Your best chance for improvement would be new air filter, pcv valve, throttle body cleaning, new plugs, properly inflated tires and a can of seafoam through the tank and learning to coast and anticipate stoplight timing. Coils isn't really a maintenance item if there's nothing wrong with the system.

 

For a 1970 vehicle.

 

The engine is basically a 70s engine as is the weight so.....

 

Same vehicle in 1970 would have a single digit MPG.

Go ahead and get a 1/2 truck with inline-4, they are great. Until they're not. I better buy more gas than pay for repairs or leasing forever.

 

Add 10 years
I compare my '18 tundra to my 1980 Camaro Z28
Same 350 engine - 5.7 Liter
Camaro was Emission controlled - slow as shit car and got 10 mpg.
Tundra in comparison is an engineering marvel. Its faster can tow and haul.

 

The surprising secret key to better mpg in these trucks that no one is talking about is removing those pesky heavy steel body panels like the fenders, hood, bedsides, etc. Those have all got to go.

Cut off the entire body

Thank me later