The Tacoma series has its own appeal for its stylish look and great power. Owning a Toyota Tacoma gives pride. If you have one, you are surely a lucky guy!
But after a few months of riding the truck, you might get some challenges. Mileage might be one of them.
The most common question from new owners I got is how to improve gas mileage on Toyota Tacoma.
Well, you won’t get the highest mileage with your Toyota Tacoma all the time. But some hacks help to get better mileage.
In this post, I am going to share several tricks to improve the gas mileage in Tacoma.
What is the Average Mileage of Toyota Tacoma?
The mileage of the Toyota Tacoma depends on its version. Modern Toyota Tacoma gives more mileage than the second and third generations.
On average, a Toyota Tacoma gives 20 mpg for city riding and 24 mpg for highways. The range changes based on the model of Tacoma and its configuration.
Tips to Improve Gas Mileage on Toyota Tacoma
If you are struggling to save on gas, follow the following hacks. Here I have shared multiple ways to improve the MPG.
1. Run On Properly Inflated Tires
Anyone who has driven a truck at least once knows its importance. If the tires go down and are not inflated properly, be sure that the MPG will be significantly low.
Here the simple trick is maintaining the recommended PSI by the manufacturer. If you check the tires closely, you will see the minimum and maximum standards for PSI. Check it and, if required, inflate the tires. They will move more with the same RPM when appropriately filled.
I highly recommend keeping an air compressor for airing your tacoma’s tires.
Air Compressor for Tacoma Tires:
Click here to check the best Air compressor for Tacoma. It will help you keep the tires inflated.
2. Control the Speed
It is so tempting to drive the truck super-fast regardless of the road conditions. It mostly happens with the riders who got the sporty version of Tacoma. The extra height and more ground clearance make the rides smooth, even on rough terrains. But did you ever think that it could ruin the mileage in Tacoma?
The ideal way to optimize the speed and mileage is to maintain a consistent velocity. Especially when driving in the city, it wouldn’t be that tough to go at a constant pace. For off-road, experts recommend moving it slowly. For instance, if you go over 50 mpg, you will burn more fuels for sure. You need to find the sweet point where the speed remains optimized and the same as the fuel.
3. Stop Idling
‘Idling’ the term might look unfamiliar to some car enthusiasts. But we all do that sometimes while driving. Basically, idling means keeping the engine running even when the vehicle is stopped at the same place. Sounds familiar, right? During city driving, you can’t avoid traffic signals. While you are waiting for the green light, there is no point in keeping the car or truck engine running. It consumes enough fuel that reduces the mile per gallon.
You should always turn the engine off when it is not moving. It could be on signals or when taking a break while driving off-road. Reducing idling the vehicle will add extra mileage for sure.
4. Maintain the Right Oil
The efficiency of the oil pump on a Tacoma has a significant impact on the mileage. If the pump goes down, there is a big chance of getting low mileage. The pump significantly reduces its performance if the wrong type of oil is used. Significantly, thicker oil impacts more. The viscosity of the oil is crucial.
In winter, when there is cold outside, the viscosity of oil changes, and it becomes thicker. During the winter season, use lighter oil that improves the performance. But you must need to maintain the manufacturer’s recommendation as heavy loads on the truck require thicker oil.
Can’t maintain the viscosity? No problem! Just change the oil frequently to maintain the optimum performance. The ideal way is to change the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
5. Use Sprint Booster
Sprint Booster is a modern device for trucks. Particularly, those that are ETC-equipped can provide more efficiency with sprint boosters.
Wondering what it is? ETC system has a downside for the truck, which is delayed throttle response. It impacts the acceleration and changes the mileage for the vehicle. Sprint booster reduces the delay and maintains the regular acceleration of the vehicle. And the result is more mileage without any major changes to the vehicle.
Best Sprint Booster for Tacoma:
- Mini Mania Sprint Booster V3
- aFe Power 77-16505 Sprint Booster for Toyota
6. Be Aware of Larger Tires
There is a common myth in the automobile industry that larger tires give more mileage. It comes to mind as larger tires go more distance with less RPM.
But it is not that simple. When the vehicle has larger tires, it means it is getting heavy. More load on the same engine actually reduces the mileage.
At the same time, avoid extra add-ons to the truck. More add-ons mean more weight, and that impacts the mileage.
7. Stay Up to Date on Maintenance
You can do so many things to boost the gas mileage in Tacoma. But the best thing to do is do proper maintenance of the vehicle. It is not so difficult to perform a routine checkup for Tacoma.
For instance, you should always check the suspension and the tires after a long off-road journey. Even if you are driving the vehicle on highways or cities, check everything about the vehicle after riding 5,000 miles. Do check the engine oil to avoid engine issues. Look for error messages on the dashboard and solve them. Visit your mechanic at least once a month if possible.
Wrap Up
Now that you know how to improve gas mileage in Tacoma, you shouldn’t struggle anymore.
I have shared 7 ways to get a boost on the mileage. You don’t have to, however, perform all of the things. Focus on specific things, do maintenance, and use high-quality parts and oils – the vehicle’s performance will be top-notch.
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