Toyota Tundra is one of the best pick-up trucks of the last two decades. It’s not only great as a payload truck but also doubles as a stylish vehicle to ride.
An interesting fact about this truck is although Toyota manufactures all their vehicles in Japan, Toyota Tundra was manufactured in the USA in 1999 under the name of Toyota.
Over the last 20 years, Toyota Tundra has become a popular pick-up truck all over the world. Production is still in full swing and the new generation of Toyota Tundra is coming out in 2022. Although the vehicle has gained worldwide acceptance, a big downside of the truck is its poor fuel economy.
In-Depth Information on Toyota Tundra
Toyota Tundra is an FWD (Four Wheel Drive) class pick-up truck with a V8 engine that has 381hp and a torque of 401lb-ft. With a total of 32 valves, the engine is a classic 5.7l that has an average of 14mpg. The max capacity of the fuel tank is 26.4 gal so the truck can go a considerable amount of distance before needing to refill the tank.
Coming to the dimensions of the Toyota Tundra, it has a riding height of 10.6 inches and a total height of 76.2 inches. It can tow about 9800lbs. of objects while being able to payload up to 1560lbs. respectively. Again, the weight of the truck is 7200lbs. with a length of 228.9 inches and a wheelbase of 145.7inches.
8 Toyota Tundra Fuel Economy Tips
If you’re thinking of buying the upcoming Toyota Tundra 3rd Gen model releasing in 2022, then you’re in luck. The 3rd Gen has superb fuel economy according to the recent news from the Toyota manufacturers. According to the manufacturers, you’ll be getting 20mpg of average mileage on the upcoming truck.
On the other hand, if you already have Toyota Tundra and having issues with the poor mileage then you need to read the tips provided here. All the tips have been compiled together in this section so that you won’t have to search all over the internet for fuel economy tips.
1. Slow and steady
This might seem like a joke but it’s a fact that driving slowly on trucks like Toyota Tundra will reduce the fuel intake by a lot. This is all involved with low drag speeds and aerodynamic drag. Once you start going at 60-100mph your truck will lose efficiency sooner than usual. Put simply, driving at speeds of 40-45mph is better for saving fuel.
2. Calmly accelerate
It’s common knowledge that accelerating aggressively puts serious pressure on the engine which results in double the fuel consumption. Note that 2mph is the ideal acceleration for Toyota Tundra fuel economy. Unless you’re in a race with your truck, calm down and slowly pull on the gear. It may sound frustrating but it works.
3. Travel light
Although it’s dumb to think a pick-up truck would need to travel light since they are made for carrying payloads, it helps to increase fuel economy. Try to get rid of the objects that you consider as junk in your truck and don’t carry a spare tire either. The economy in this case is very less but every bit counts.
4. Take breaks
The longer you drive your Toyota Tundra, the more fuel consumption keeps increasing. Try to stop your truck and take a 20minute break after driving for 3-4hours each time. This process not only consumes less fuel than usual but also increases the life expectancy of your engine parts.
5. Don’t keep the engine running
Most people tend to keep the engine running while going to do tasks that won’t take long. Nonetheless, it drains fuel as much as when you’re driving. The same goes for when you’re stuck in traffic. Stopping the engine will be more fuel-efficient and remember to accelerate slowly once you start the engine again.
6. Lock the tailgate
An uncommon fact about saving fuel in the Toyota Tundra truck is keeping the tailgate locked in the upright position. Experts believe that tailgates impact fuel economy when they are removed or left hanging. The aerodynamic shape of your vehicle is affected by the tailgate which consumes more fuel.
7. Maintain the tires
The Toyota Tundra usually comes with stock tires made for driving on roads. Try to keep your tire pressure between 30-35psi to save fuel. Using off-roading tires is also a great way to increase your fuel economy as the wind resistance and friction support a pick-up truck that has off-roading tires.
8. Maintenance
You already know that maintaining your truck will improve its lifespan but as it increases mileage, it’s also included in this list. Remember to check your oil from time to time and change all the necessary components of the engine when necessary to avoid loss of excessive fuel.
More Tips Less Improvement
Following the tips mentioned in the previous section regarding the improvement of Toyota Tundra’s fuel economy can help you get better mileage. Unfortunately, the improvement is fairly less and only improves from 14mpg to 18mpg max of the current average mileage.
Nonetheless, following all the rules mentioned above will show you small but significant results while driving and in dire need. In addition to the small increase in fuel economy, you will also have a better lifespan for your entire vehicle. Finally, don’t expect any miracles like getting over 30mpg from the tips mentioned above.
Mileage of the Upcoming 3rd Gen Toyota Tundra
Since the manufacturers at Toyota have announced that the 3rd Gen of Toyota Tundra is coming out in 2022, they’ve also included the specific mileage you can get on different kinds of roads. The 2022 model of Toyota Tundra will have 18mpg in cities, 24mpg on highways, and 20 mpg combined.
Although 20mpg is nothing compared to recent vehicles that have over 30mpg of mileage, it’s an upgrade from the poor fuel economy present in the current Toyota Tundra trucks. This mileage upgrade comes with an increase in the price of the upcoming Toyota Tundra by about 1200USD.
Final Words
There are hundreds of pick-up trucks in the present market that are over 30mpg and have superb fuel economy. In comparison to those trucks, Toyota Tundra is 2x or more behind on fuel economy which is its main downside. However, the other aspects of the truck including the cost-effective price make it a worthwhile pick-up truck.
Knowing the tips and tricks to increase the 14mpg to at most 18mpg is necessary since fuel economy is one of the most important parts of your daily life. Following the compiled tips provided in this article will help you to meet your goal of improving the fuel economy as well as increasing the lifespan of your 5.7l Toyota Tundra.
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