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2010 Tundra 4.6 Fuel Mileage

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by bslice17, Apr 9, 2019.

  1. Apr 9, 2019 at 4:54 PM
    #1
    bslice17

    bslice17 [OP] New Member

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    Hello Tundras,
    This is my first post on here, so I guess congrats on popping my cherry.
    I own a 2010 Tundra with the 4.6 V8, and I love it. Except for the godawful mpg, especially considering it's a relatively new truck (I know almost nine years old, but it's a Toyota). I do my best to barely breathe on the gas pedal unless I need to get on the highway or on a steep grade, but just driving around my city to work and class I get barely 12 mpg. The only time I break 15mph is when the entire tank is on a flat highway (ex. CA 395). Does anyone have any ideas to mitigate this?
    Ah, I am glad you asked, I do have an idea!
    What about an aftermarket cylinder reduction system? I am no engineer nor do I know how this would negatively affect the engine itself. HOWEVER, in a perfect world, I would be able to flip a switch to decrease to either 6 or 4 cylinders. I know that other trucks have automatic systems, but they seem to just pick up cylinders as soon as you step on the gas or go uphill at all. If it were a manual system I could just ensure that it stays in only 6 cylinders while I drive around town. I am willing to drive slower in order to save a couple of gallons of gas. The ability to drop this massive 8 cylinder to a 4-banger on long downhills or while cruising at 65pmh on the highway (okay you caught me I do 75). My commute to work is about 10 miles, and 3 of those are on a massive grade, uphill on the way there and downhill on the way home. The ability to just switch down to basically a 2L engine on the way down would be STELLAR.
    Does anyone know if anyone makes an EFI system like this? Please feel free to tear apart this idea. If it is not possible due to engine wear, EFI systems or if it would just not save that much fuel please let me know! I would love to discuss this further!
     
  2. Apr 10, 2019 at 4:36 AM
    #2
    Slayer

    Slayer Member

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    is the truck new to you?
    how many miles?
    I would take that to the dealer for some work.
    something is not right
    4.6 should be in the 17-20 mpg range.
     
    Joe Dirt likes this.
  3. Apr 10, 2019 at 9:18 AM
    #3
    bslice17

    bslice17 [OP] New Member

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    It is my dad's truck that I "stole" and took to university with me. He bought it from the dealer in 2010. It has just over 150k on it. I will get about 17 on the highway, but in town it is just abysmal.
     
  4. Apr 10, 2019 at 9:29 AM
    #4
    8MINT8

    8MINT8 #NotBetty

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    Thats normal mpg. Nothing wrong with the truck. You won’t see 20mpg from that engine. My 4.7 gets worse mpg than my 5.7. I think oem mpg is 15-18. Not sure why people think cylinder deactivation is great for a truck. Get a commuter car.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  5. Apr 10, 2019 at 9:32 AM
    #5
    bslice17

    bslice17 [OP] New Member

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    Why isn’t it a good idea? Why would it not work?
     
  6. Apr 10, 2019 at 12:02 PM
    #6
    Bucks04

    Bucks04 New Member

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    Own a 2013 4.6 also love the truck , no ones ever gonna tell me a tundra , any of them get 17-20 . Mines just turned over 54000 and I bought at 34000, never seen better than 15 down hill tail wind and engine off, just kidding , love it , best I've seen 15.6 . JUST ENJOY THE RIDE , it's a toy-ota.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  7. Apr 11, 2019 at 11:17 AM
    #7
    coonhunter

    coonhunter New Member

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    My 4.6 v8 is a 2011. I get 20 to 22 per gallon. we have a 5.7 that is a 4 wheel drive and it only gets 14 to 16.
     
    Hillbilly Taz likes this.
  8. Apr 11, 2019 at 12:18 PM
    #8
    bslice17

    bslice17 [OP] New Member

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    Yeah it is a 4wd, but I would say at least 90% of the time it is in 2wd for road use.
     
  9. Apr 11, 2019 at 12:47 PM
    #9
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Even in 2wd you're still pushing the same weight...
     
  10. Apr 11, 2019 at 1:45 PM
    #10
    coonhunter

    coonhunter New Member

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    the truck that is 4.6 isnt a 4 wheel drive it gets great gas mileage. our one that is a 4w drive but most of the time it gets horrible gas mileage. my brother also has a 4.6 that 4w drive and it gets horrible gas mileage
     
  11. Apr 11, 2019 at 7:07 PM
    #11
    Slayer

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    tundra 18.7.jpg tundra 18.7.jpg


    19.2.jpg Tundra 20.jpg

    quite easy to do really.
    leave it stock, keep up on maintenance, drive in S mode & keep your foot out of it.
     
    Filthyphil likes this.
  12. Apr 12, 2019 at 6:15 AM
    #12
    Slayer

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    Today’s MPG.. not a fluke
    2014 4.6 4x4 with Micheline defenders
    Typically loaded down with construction tools & supplies.
    100 miles per day 70% highway 30% in sucky Seattle traffic with lots of hills..
    ha.. Seattle is nothing but hills
    65D343E9-D201-4A2D-95E2-1D1F9174CF85.jpg
     
    Filthyphil likes this.
  13. Apr 12, 2019 at 6:40 AM
    #13
    bvia

    bvia New Member

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    You mileage is correct. 11-14 on my '13 4.6 mixed city and highway.
    hth,
    B
     
  14. Apr 12, 2019 at 6:41 AM
    #14
    tdn

    tdn New Member

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    Sweet! Can you fill us in a bit more about your strategy when in "S" mode? Thanks!
     
    Filthyphil likes this.
  15. Apr 12, 2019 at 6:42 AM
    #15
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    @bslice17

    What tires do you have? Lifted?
     
  16. Apr 12, 2019 at 12:44 PM
    #16
    Slayer

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    That craptasic designer that put together our transmissions, causes it to downshift when you let you foot of the gas pedal. This allows engine breaking. Listen & Watch your tack rev a little next time.
    Breaks are cheap. Extra work on the engine & tranny not so much.

    S mode works like an old school tranny .. it will just coast with out the engine breaking.
    So you don’t have to regain the speed you lost.

    No..: Im not a hyper driver but I do try to throttle evenly. Trying to stay below 2,000 RPM’s

    Every little bit helps
     
    Filthyphil likes this.
  17. Apr 12, 2019 at 12:51 PM
    #17
    Slayer

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    100% stock no lift. Its a tuff ass work truck.

    It’s a tall truck to start with. If I lifted it I couldn’t get at my tools.. Ha

    Micheline defenders (low roll resistance) 40 psi
    did the caulk test
     
  18. Apr 12, 2019 at 4:23 PM
    #18
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    When i had my 4.6, i averaged about 14 doing 100% city driving. I get basically the same mileage with my current 5.7.

    I tried adding 275/70 tires to my 4.6 truck and i dropped a little more than a full mpg in my city driving.
     
  19. Apr 14, 2019 at 8:37 AM
    #19
    catndahats

    catndahats New Member

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    Don't know a thing about re-engineering to knock it down to 4 or 6 cylinders, I'm happy if my tundra is kicking on all 8.

    I've had my 2012 double cab 4.6 / 2wd Tundra for 3 years and it's at 72k miles....I check gas mileage each fill up...
    * averages 18mpg. around town. Consistently average 19-20mpg on highway @70-75mph.
    * best is 22mpg highway---just got it, mostly flat @ 70-75mph.
    * towing our 2k pound teardrop camper we average 13 - 15mpg on the highway @60-65mph.
    * worst was 11.9 towing 3k pound U-haul on mostly uphill grades and a headwind @60-65mph.
     
  20. Apr 14, 2019 at 12:26 PM
    #20
    tdn

    tdn New Member

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    Thanks! I'll have to give that a try
     
  21. Apr 14, 2019 at 1:37 PM
    #21
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff New Member

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    I’m not so sure that this downshifting is bad. I highly highly doubt it it wearing out the engine any extra.

    And the nice thing about a transmission downshifting to engine brake is that if you step on the gas, it is more likely in the correct gear.

    If it stayed in a cruising gear as you slowed down, it would then have to downshift anyways to re-accelerate.

    I would much rather have my power more ready when i need it
     
  22. Apr 14, 2019 at 2:51 PM
    #22
    Slayer

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    Ya, I doubt it would cause a bunch of excess wear either.

    S mode will still shift into the appropriate gear when it needs but coasting does help with speed loss / regain.

    Again it’s a little.. but every little bit helps

    I found this to be true based on my results.
    Im happy.
     
    bvia likes this.

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