Fuel economy question

Just wondering about the gas mileage on our Tundras.

I ended up with a 2wd 4.6L since I got a really good deal on one and I didn't need the extra power of the 5.7 since all I tow is a small flats boat. I also appreciated the advertised 15/19 MPG as opposed to the 13/17 or whatever the 5.7 4WD was advertised at.

After using the truck about 7 months for my DD at work (a bunch of city driving with with many 2 hour road trips on the weekends) my MPG indicator says 14.9. This is with stock rims/tires and stock suspension. Whats the deal? Is the indicator off or is something up with my truck? I know its an average and whenever I tow the boat it takes a hit but it seems like I should still be getting more than that with as much highway driving as I do, especially with the 4.6L. (And it''s not like I have a heavy foot, because I don't even have a nice exhaust yet that would make me want to get on it more)

Have you guys found that the indicator is low for you as well and I would get better results calculating it by hand?

MPG isn't the reason I bought a truck, and I don't even pay for my gas with the company I'm currently with so it's not a big deal, but I would like to know if there is something going on or if the trucks MPG indicator just sucks. I plan to add some heavier tires and a leveling kit soon so I know it's gonna take a big hit.

 

I've had my 4.6 '14 for about a month now (purchased used) and am always keenly aware of my mpg readings. I compare my own math at the pump vs the digital readout in the truck and there is usually about a .5+ mpg or so difference (digital readout says better mpg than my math). I don't have a heavy foot, have about a 60/40 mixture of hwy/city, and I don't really use the a/c or heat. I've been getting about 17.5-18 mpg based on my math. This current tank is going to fall below that, I'm certain, because I had to use the a/c for my wife as a passenger (i'm a windows partially down kinda guy). Just my $0.02

 

I don't think I have ever owned a vehicle that lived up to its advertised MPG. I think those numbers are designed mainly for amusement. If your truck is lifted, and/or has bigger grippier tires, that would affect your result. Other than that, the usual blather about tire pressure, clean air filters, spark plugs, etc. applies.

 

2011 4.6 DC. I get 16.2 (calculated by hand) with mostly mountain twisties. I was getting 18-18.5 when I was commuting 80 miles a day, about 3/4 of it freeway and 1/4 twisties.

On a 300 mile freeway trip I got 20 mpg.

 

Hmm, maybe tugging the boat had more of an effect than I thought. Is there a way to reset the average MPG that shows on the display that way I can go a few weeks without pulling anything and see what it says?

 

Just push the display button in for a few seconds until it resets to zero.

 

Thanks!