2003 tundra v8 with 125000 miles.

I drive mostly city, but some straight road stuff... and live in WVa. so get the "winter mix" gas. Be honest, what are people getting for gas milage.?...mine seems 12-13 winter...maybe 14.5 in summer on good day.....anybody doing any better?

 

City 12-15

Highway 16-18

285/75/r16 Michelin Defender LT ‘E’ rated tires. Stock Height.

 

1st Gen Section here.

 

Thanks, didn't catch that...I was just viewing "New Posts".

 

Well sir, my 2002 is my weekend truck and it can’t seem to break the 14 barrier my driving is mostly city and spirited freeway driving. When I’m on the highway depending on the area I’m between 70-80mph. I tried going 65 and I just can’t. These tundras were never known for good fuel economy. 13-15 combined avg. on an all stock truck is pretty normal. My 2006 will get 14-16 combined with mixed driving.

 

Did your mileage increase when you switched to those tires?

 

2000, 300,020 miles.....14 MPG tops.

 

thanks for the info, mines pretty much stock too, ..I'll keep looking, be nice to get back to 14 on top end...

 

Long answer. I’ve been on Michelins for about 12 years. First the MS, then MS2, and now Defenders. All great tires.

Prior was stock factory (and size) then dunflops and bfg’s (both 285).

The latter tires sucked all around. The switch to Michelins I noticed better mileage, but still not like factory smaller size.

My latest journey on rehabbing the 02’ has seen a switch to full synthetic oil and new 12 hole fuel injectors. I think I’m getting back to stock numbers on larger than stock tires.

 

I had Dunlop tires on my tacoma and they were horrible, would never recommend to anyone.

The theory of larger tires and better highway mpg is a good one, Especially for these trucks. City mpg will probably always suck. Larger tires like the Michelin’s you’ve got and a few other tire brands with tread similar to stock should get better highway mpg. Once an individual starts adding lifts, big mud tires, extra weight 300-500lbs. You can pretty much kiss mpg goodbye.

 

Plus, the 02’ still has the 3.91 gears which are better at highway fuel on the ‘gear ratio chart’. These 12 hole injectors really changed my gear patterns in the city driving. The gears hold longer for some reason. Squashing my desires for new gears thankfully.

From the window sticker the day it was purchased.

 

yeah, my sticker shows the same, tires some bigger, 265/16, not enough to matter, I only do about 8000 miles year on the truck, so major investments for milage not a top priority right now..thanks for all the info..