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Truck is a liar - mpg

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Tundra280AI, Nov 22, 2016.

  1. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:21 AM
    #1
    Tundra280AI

    Tundra280AI [OP] New Member

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    After 11k miles I have had one, single tank be more hand calculated compared to the onboard mpg. Other than that the closest was one tank that was .3mpg less than indicated.

    Most of the time I'm .6-.7 less than indicated. Worst was 1.3 less than indicated.

    This last time after 498 miles I indicated 18.2 and hand calculated 17.3.

    So I'm wondering does Toyota do this on purpose since it's the worst rated truck and they want you to feel better? Why is it so far off? Know I'm not the only one with this issue.
     
  2. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:27 AM
    #2
    gdiep

    gdiep I like cookies

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    Not saying that there couldn't be anything nefarious going on, but could this difference be attributed to ambient temperature? Gasoline is denser at lower temperatures. So when you fill up the tank and it's 32F out, you're getting more energy than when you fill up the tank at 90F. The computer is probably set to calculate the mpg's based on a standard programmed into the coding. At what ambient temperature is that standard measured? Not sure...just hypothesizing.
     
  3. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:28 AM
    #3
    TXRailRoadBandit73

    TXRailRoadBandit73 YOTAS,RAILROADIN',RÖKnRÖLLN',BEER,MAX/GEMMA

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    None yet
    Just enjoy your truck!!! Lift it!!! Put big tires a blaring system n cruise the beach :headbang:
     
  4. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:40 AM
    #4
    cdkenne

    cdkenne Toyota Master Technician

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    At best it is an estimate based off of miles driven and the anticipated amount of fuel used based on injector pulse and duration. It isn't based off of the fuel gauge itself. It is honestly no better than an educated guess. Unlike you, it doesn't do the math when the tank is filled up but rather does it on the fly. My Tundra doesn't have this option but my '16 Sienna does.

    Page 91 of your owner's manual states "Use the displayed average fuel consumption as a reference." It is not exact, but it is close.

    Here is the system description. Based on this, other factors could contribute to the estimate being off such as cylinders 2-8 having increased injector duration. This would not register as only cylinder 1 is read for this function. I understand your frustration, but this is how it operates.

    Average fuel economy
    • Value that has been calculated by combination meter, which is based on distance driven and fuel consumption volume (fuel injection signal from No. 1 cylinder)
    • This display is updated every 10 seconds

    Current fuel economy

    • Value that has been calculated by combination meter. When ignition switch is turned to ON, combination meter calculates this value based on distance driven and fuel consumption volume (fuel injection signal from No. 1 injector).
    • This display is updated every 0.5 seconds
     
    csuviper, gosolo and GNTundra like this.
  5. Nov 22, 2016 at 11:19 AM
    #5
    cdkenne

    cdkenne Toyota Master Technician

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    At the rate that 2nd gen Tundra sending units go out, I'm not sure I'd let it get to the empty mark...
     
    14burrito and GNTundra like this.
  6. Nov 22, 2016 at 11:48 AM
    #6
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 SpaceX Director Staff Member

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    Never once have I purchased a truck to worry about MPG. What it says vs calculated I don't care. I bought a V8, lifted it, skids, and run 35" tires. I bought the truck because it's what I wanted. That's like me going to buy a Vette (one day!) and complain about mileage. I didn't buy it for gas mileage. I bought it because of the smiles I get with it.

    I have a Corolla for fuel mileage.
     
    bdogg76, markiemark9, Law323 and 6 others like this.
  7. Nov 22, 2016 at 12:15 PM
    #7
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    I pegged this post as a troll as soon as I read he called this "the worst rated truck"
    if you're the troll sniper, snipe away!

    who's rated this truck worst?
    Chevy Dealers or Fiat Dealers maybe...lol
     
    Law323 and GNTundra like this.
  8. Nov 22, 2016 at 12:35 PM
    #8
    cdkenne

    cdkenne Toyota Master Technician

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    Did I do something right? :bananadance:
     
    gosolo likes this.
  9. Nov 22, 2016 at 2:14 PM
    #9
    cdkenne

    cdkenne Toyota Master Technician

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    Well I haven't seen your truck on my block... Not that I recall anyhow
     
  10. Nov 22, 2016 at 2:38 PM
    #10
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

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    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    My display is usually off by 0.3. It shows I am getting 0.3 MPG better than my calculations.
     
  11. Nov 22, 2016 at 2:45 PM
    #11
    trayday

    trayday New Member

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    I don't care about my mileage either but at the same time I'm willing to do almost any mod to improve the numbers for a piece of mind. I know that I probably won't ever get the difference back when spending thousands of dollars in mods to improve a few points, but it's fun.
     
    GNTundra likes this.
  12. Nov 22, 2016 at 3:28 PM
    #12
    ChucklesToy

    ChucklesToy Retired

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    Both of my Silverado's MPG calculation were off compared to manual too...but I never cared...
     
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  13. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:07 PM
    #13
    kritsana21

    kritsana21 New Member

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    Hey guys,
    I just recently bought my dad's truck. 2014 Tundra 1794 with TRD supercharger. I have been noticing that the avg mpg is way off. Truck display said 17.5mpg for that tank of gas but I'm actually getting 13.1 mpg. I was wondering if I needed to recalibrate any sensors for it to be more accurate? Or is it a sign that something is wrong? I would appreciate any inputs or ideas on how to fix it. Thanks, Todd

    IMG_6113.jpg
     
  14. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:15 PM
    #14
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    Does the truck have stock suspension and stock wheels? If it's lifted and you are running 35's the real mileage you calculated is not unacceptable.
     
  15. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:18 PM
    #15
    kritsana21

    kritsana21 New Member

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    Everything else is stock. Thanks.
     
  16. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:23 PM
    #16
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    I'm not sure why the difference you're getting is so extreme. Did you read this entire thread? There's some good information posted above.
    Also, I believe you should be getting much better mileage than that unless you're punching it all the time.
     
  17. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:24 PM
    #17
    jwm9289

    jwm9289 New Member

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    I've noticed the same thing, my 2016 Tacoma was dead on.
     
  18. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:29 PM
    #18
    kritsana21

    kritsana21 New Member

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    Nope, just normal driving. Automatic transmission shift around 2000 RPM. I just don't want to take it in if I can fix it myself. Dealership charges way too much to diagnose.
     
  19. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:46 PM
    #19
    cdkenne

    cdkenne Toyota Master Technician

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    More air means more fuel... Was the supercharger dealer installed?
     
  20. Nov 22, 2016 at 6:47 PM
    #20
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Did you try resetting it?
     
  21. Nov 22, 2016 at 9:38 PM
    #21
    kritsana21

    kritsana21 New Member

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    Yup, it was installed by the Toyota dealership.
     
  22. Nov 22, 2016 at 9:39 PM
    #22
    kritsana21

    kritsana21 New Member

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    Yes, I reset it every time I filled up.
     
  23. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:00 PM
    #23
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    With a supercharger on stock wheels you should be getting closer to what computer is reading than what you're calculating. Are you sure you're calculating correctly? And are you sure someone's not siphoning your gas at night? :notsure: You should be getting more than 13 with normal driving. And next time you fill up, try not resetting the computer.
     
  24. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:06 PM
    #24
    kritsana21

    kritsana21 New Member

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    Hi, I'm new on the forums. What is FFV again?
     
  25. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:17 PM
    #25
    kritsana21

    kritsana21 New Member

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    Yup, calculating is correct. Got 238.7mi on 19.439 gal= 13.3 mpg. This is what I have been getting the last 5 filled. However, the computer been reading 17.8-18.8mpg. I not worry about the mpg as much as why it off so much. My wife Lexus IS is dead on for computer reading and hand cal. If I don't reset the computer the reading stay around 18mpg. I have called Toyota but they want $120/hr just to look at it. I wish my dad would of notice this before the warranty is over.
     
  26. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:18 PM
    #26
    kritsana21

    kritsana21 New Member

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    Nope, reg 5.7V engine.
     
  27. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:33 PM
    #27
    joonbug

    joonbug °°°°°°°°°°

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    Tire pressure is good I assume
     
  28. Nov 22, 2016 at 10:47 PM
    #28
    kritsana21

    kritsana21 New Member

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    Yes sir.
     
  29. Nov 23, 2016 at 5:06 AM
    #29
    shreveporttundra

    shreveporttundra New Member

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    These MPG post are somewhat trivial. If you bought a Tundra, then you knew you were not getting the best MPG in class. If you stay in the range of 12-15 you are doing great. You bought it because you knew it would last forever, tow almost like a diesel and pull out of a muddy hole. Don't ever expect to be correct exactly on your hand calculation of mpg because of what is left in the tank when it says zero miles to empty. I have a 2015 TSS 4x4 crew max. It states I have a 26 gallon tank. When it reads zero miles to empty I can only put 21 gallons in. That tells me I have about 5 gallons left. This is a bunch when you are getting 13 mpg. I have tested it and it is right. I set my trip to zero at zero miles to empty and do not go more than 60 more miles to fill up. They do this to make sure and always keep the fuel pump submerged (Is what I have heard)
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  30. Nov 23, 2016 at 5:25 AM
    #30
    Tundra280AI

    Tundra280AI [OP] New Member

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    As for the troll comment with the worst rated truck, apparently playing connect the dots in elementary school wasn't your strong suit and it looks like much hasn't changed. What full size truck in its class gets worse mileage than the Tundra? The thread is abut fuel related issues *hint*

    For those talking about fuel economy specifically, this being a truck and people shouldn't expect good mileage, again you're missing the point as well. The topic is the difference between indicated and actual mileage *hint*

    For those who actually responded to the topic at hand, thank you for your replies
     
    kritsana21 likes this.

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