I have read, watched and learned to crack the mileage code: overall opinions

[Sugarloafer80]

Yet another finding in traffic last trip. FOREVER, in traffic I go to manual shift mode to minimize excessive shifting.
If you do this on our Land Cruiser, motor keeps running. If you leave it in drive, motor will shut off and let you nudge along pure EV......SURPRISE! THIS DOES EFFECT MILEAGE!

 

[FLYNLO]

I am new here. Y’all sure take your refuelling techniques and MPG seriously!!! And to whoever was asking if bigger tires and wheels make a difference, they make a HUGE difference. Not sure it can knock off 5mpg. But it can surely take care of 2-3mpg. It can also amplify poor driving habits. Cheers!

 

[Sugarloafer80]

Never have I owned a vehicle where technique can have this vast an effect on mileage.....not to be some dumbass hyper miler, but to use the new technology properly. Trust me I burn hundreds of gallons at the track as an HPDE instructor in the summer....but even Scott Dixon is a winner because he can get that extra lap out of his Indycar when needed.

 

[BlueCruiser]

Yeah, it is a fascinating vehicle and I dont blame people's frustration.

However, if you are willing to put in the time to learn it, the vehicle is capable of cruising almost indefinitely at 30 MPG at 62 MPH and 1,500 RPMs and up to 60 MPG for signifiant distances on all electric at 30 MPH.

On the other hand, you can just put it in sport mode, have some fun, and get about 18 MPG.

Over time, I suspect as the battery technology gets better we can expect bigger capacity which will eventually replace the turbo and eliminate much of the need to consciously manage battery behavior while driving.

In the meantime, an official driving guide would be useful for not only optimizing max gas mileage but also best practices for the wide array of overlapping offroad features. ITRAC/MDS/Crawl Control/Modes/Lockers/Low range etc.

Perhaps half the fun is figuring it all out?

 

[Sugarloafer80]

Exactly....a good challenge

 

[Shorty]

What setting is everyone using - Eco, Normal or sport?

 

[amcole1984]

Not sure how any of you are getting that good of gas mileage. I have 28k miles on mine and haven't gotten over 16.5 mpg no matter how I drive it. I get better mileage in my MT Bronco with the top and doors off. Never would have thought that would be the case.

 

[amcole1984]

What setting is everyone using - Eco, Normal or sport?

Normal and eco produce the same mileage for me. I just leave it in normal.

 

[PC3]

Normal most the time, and occasionally sport if I'm merging. How are people's MPG numbers in the winter? I agree with the OP in the sense that if you are willing to work within the LC's rules, you can get really good MPG. I'm lazy and will take my 21-22 HWY with aggressive and sloppy driving and happy with that. That said, I'm seeing a 3-4 MPG hit in the winter. I'm in the 19 range. I think it's a combination of fuel mixture and the battery not doing well in cold - I'm on MI. But wonder what others have experienced and think. A 60 mile drop in range summer to winter is a lot.

 

[GrayBeard]

Our winters aren't as cold as Michigan (south eastern Virginia) but we've gone from 50-60s to generally 30s-low 40s and I've seen the same gas mileage hit, 3-4 MPG.

Since getting the LC in April I've been averaging about 23 MPG, with peak trips up to 27 and one time even 29 MPG over 25 miles, but since Thanksgiving I'm down in the 20 MPG range.

 

[Redfred]

I believe cold weather has a negative impact on most vehicles mpg. My jeep GC v6 goes from 25/26 to 20/21 highway in winter.

 

[PC3]

I believe cold weather has a negative impact on most vehicles mpg. My jeep GC v6 goes from 25/26 to 20/21 highway in winter.

Thx Beard and Fred. So, sounds like I'm experiencing the normal winter MPG hit. My winter MPG is still right around normal for my 4Runner so I'll take it.

 

[WeCruising]

At the beginning of the month I reset my MPG and Trip B odometer. I've done this since September. 75% highway commuting, 25% city. If I had to be honest, city MPG is disappointing, highway is surprisingly good. I am not speeding, usually driving 65 mph. Stock 1958.

We use an ethanol winter blend in our area, which affects MPG and maybe is used in others location.We had lots of storms in our area (Oregon) in December, so that negatively affects MPG. Here is where I am at:

September: 1,362, 23.9 mpg
October: 1,278, 23.0 mpg
November: 1,220.2, 23.1 mpg
December: 900, 22.1 mpg

 

[lar317]

I had the 2025 4Runner SR5 and had an average of 23.8 mpg for 13k miles, most other people on the 4 runner forum got allot worse mileage, most had bigger tires

 

[Sugarloafer80]

Normal and eco produce the same mileage for me. I just leave it in normal.

only use Eco when driving with my ski boots on....Softens pedal response

 

[Sugarloafer80]

BTW, stumbled into it the other day but for all the folks giving me crap about the way I fill my tank, I suggest you look up the SAE protocol.....which is exactly what I do...............and have done for my entire life. Few directions online follow the SAE standard, no surprise.
Basically fill till shutoff clicks and after a brief wait, fill at low level till it clicks again. Our tank with high fill rate pumps (and yes they can vary greatly)can shut off 1-3 gallons early...I have seen this range. So look up the standard before you give me more grief.

 

[RideWithYanu]

BTW, stumbled into it the other day but for all the folks giving me crap about the way i fill my tank, I suggest you look up the SAE protocol.....which is exactly what I do...............and have done for my entire life. Few directions online follow the SAE standard, no surprise.
Basically fill till shutoff clicks and after a brief wait, fill at low level till it clicks again. Our tank with high fill rate pumps (and yes they can vary greatly)can shut off 1-3 gallons early...I have seen this range. So look up the standard before you give me more grief.

It’s just filling a gas tank mate. Probably good to just follow the manual, but if you’re keen on looking up industry standards on fueling to get another gallon on the tank then I’m happy for ya.

 

[Sugarloafer80]

Fact is the manual is incorrect........as are most all manuals. SAE is the bible in automotive world. I was looking for something else and ran into it. Reason I rebroached the topic is people complaining about range (range anxiety.) 1-3 gallons can make a huge difference 17-75 miles depending on your personal efficiency. Peace to all....

 

[PDundon]

If you are using cruise control to manage gas mileage you have it backwards. Use the tachometer not the speedometer to optimize fuel consumption.

A stock LC on flat terrain, in good weather, at sea level running at 1,500 RPMs cruises at 60-62 MPH and gets 30 MPG. I do it all the time.

Here's a trip from this week that got 28.1 MPG on mixed use with mostly city highway and some suburban streets.

Use your gauges and see for yourself. There are also tactics for slower speeds to leverage the battery at <= 10 MPH or maintaining up to 30 MPH that can achieve excellent gas mileage results as well. It jView attachment 51474ust takes a change to an intentional mindset for how you drive the vehicle.

Two tips
1. If you are revving way over 2K rpms to get up to speed you are wasting a lot of gas.
2. If you brake hard, you are wasting a lot of gas.

Peak torque is about 1,800 RPMs so stay in that happy band and let your battery be your friend.

Bluecruiser, help a novice understand what the two boost gauges in the instrument cluster used for? And how do I keep it at 1800 RPM descending steep mountain passes?

 

[Sugarloafer80]

Going downhill non issue you don't burn fuel...I believe. There is an art to gentle braking that helps charge v heavy braking that just sheds heat.