2014 How to Get Better gas mileage? Anyone

I have a 2014 Toyo tacoma and even though gas prices are now crazy low!!! I still want to get better mileage out of the truck since I plan on keeping it for a while.

Any thoughts? I want to lift the truck no more than 3 inches put bigger tires on and have been told body lift kits would be the way to go.

Any good advice is appreciated. Manufacturer names would be helpful too, I haven't really looked into this much.

 

I'm not sure if you're actually serious or not... But, if you want better fuel economy, don't lift the truck. Keep it in stock form, keep your tires properly inflated and go easy on the skinny pedal. If you really want to lift, I would look into a suspension lift over a body lift. Whoever told you body lifts are the way to go should not be allowed anywhere near your truck and I would not take any additional advice about truck mods from them. As far as manufacturers, depending on how deep your pockets are, check out Icon, Fox, King or Bilstein for something a little more economical. I would invite you to use the search function and read through the suspension section before continuing to ask about suspension setups. There is a lot of great information already posted and many threads which have compiled information from several manufacturers, suspension types, etc.

 

^ This

 

x2

 

Adding a 3 inch lift will reduce you milage. I went up about 2 inches and went down 1 mpg. That not much but is 20 less miles per tank. To get better milage accelerate at a reasonable rate and when slowing down pretend your two-year old is standing in the backseat. I used ICONs to lift my truck. There is enough reading on ways to lift to keep you busy for weeks. I don't think body lift are the way to go.

 

And make sure you buy all your mods at Trends Auto

 

Thank you, this is the start I have been looking for. I was told to lift the truck to put larger tires on would get better gas mileage, which sorta makes sense, not just the lift alone would get me better mileage obviously.

 

Yes, and buy all your mods at Trends Auto!

 

Did this advice by any chance come from someone that owns a gas station?

 

Advice from Trends Auto.

 

First off get a scan gauge II to monitor MPG in real time. This tool will make the biggest impact on fuel saving once you've "relearned" how to drive your truck for better MPG's. If you're serious about fuel savings, DO NOT LIFT YOUR TRUCK! The higher your truck sits from the ground increase air flow under the truck which increases wind drag. Do not run wider or taller tires. Hell, even A/T treads will add rolling resistance. Stick with 245/75 tires if you're driving a base or Sr5 trim truck.

 

Absolutely not true in the least. Larger tires take more power to turn and weigh more. This means the truck has to work harder so this typically decreases your fuel economy. There is a balance where you can go tall and skinny but you don't need a lift to do so. If you go up one size in tires, you might do a little better unloaded on the highway as long as you go with a responsible tread pattern and stay away from LT tires. The lift hurts aerodynamics and will hurt your MPGs. The truck can clear taller tires in stock form just fine but I wouldn't go with taller tires expecting to get better fuel economy. Focus on your driving habits as that will have the largest impact.

 

Yea I was definitely aware of the tread pattern making a difference. I will definitely rethink that avenue.

Mostly what I am reading is that MPG are mostly unlocked from the factory, and really all it seems is that there is power gains left on the table from a stock truck.

Thanks for the advice. And scott, stop being so butt hurt, you seem to have some issues you need to address with a professional, or a DD. Hope you live in a weed friendly state, you sure could use the relaxation

 

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooh no he ditin't

 

I haven't moved from my desk either. I just peed in a cup because I didn't want to miss anything.

 

Snap!

 

Welcome to TW, Dave. You're off to a great start antagonizing people, and posting a question that gets discussed at length here almost every week (as recently as yesterday, in fact).

Why not start by telling us what mileage you typically get now? If you are already getting 25 mpg, you should be helping us rather than asking for help. If you are only seeing 15 mpg, maybe you can find some good advice here.

 

right now I am averaging 18-19 but I typically haul tools to guys to and from jobsites. So on average at least 6-800lbs in the cab and another 5-750 in the bed. I have not modified the truck at all at this point, I have barely broken in the engine at this point really.

 

Yeah I suppose my first comment should not have been worded the way i had, but that was another thread, and on a relatively unusual, if not comical topic. so much for getting involved in a recent thread right away

Today was the first day I ever went to this site, I only recently became a Tacoma owner, guess I am getting my feet wet quick...lol

 

Then you're not going to get any better mileage. That's pretty good for a loaded truck, probably doing some city driving.