My truck is a gas pig. Any suggestions to improve my MPG?
 

I don't know what kind of gas mileage I'm getting yet in my 1999 Mazda B4000 that I bought last Monday, but what I do know is that I filled it up for the first time last Tuesday and had to get gas in it again yesterday (Saturday). I got about 250 miles on that first tank of gas (just normal street and highway driving) but had to fill it up again only after 4 days of driving it.

It cost me about $50 each time I filled it up.

My truck is a 5 speed auto. 2W / 4WD. 4.0L SOHC V6 Engine with 100K mile on it.

Is this typical? Or is there a problem that's causing it to eat gas like crazy?

Thanks!

thats good. if you think that is bad this is waiting for you...


http://www.uncorrelated.com/images/prius.jpg

Would a tune-up help?

a tune up is good no matter what..

Change oil.
Change air filter.
Check spark plugs.
Check 02 Sensors.
Get lighter tires and rims.
Check you tire's PSI.
Maybe get a Bed cover.

I wish I could get 250 miles to a tank..., im lucky if I can even flirt with the 180-200 range

I get about 240 a tank, but my tank is smaller and I have the 2.3L:dunce:

I've gotten between 10.1 and 11.8 mpg in my truck consistently running 89 octane 5% ethanol. That was with the 4.10's. I haven't even driven through a full tank with the 4.56's to do a recalc before the drivetrain went to hell.

Wanna trade?

You could also get Custom exhaust, a SCT Tuner from www.stuffforyourranger.com, intake and or a t-cover for your bed.

I changed out the pcv valve(uber PITA), air filter, fuel filter, oil and filter change, 02 sensors, and a radiator flush a couple weeks ago and my truck felt healthy...so to speak....but didn't really help the fuel economy.

I've got JBA headers and the flow 40 out the side, stock airbox with twice the opening than it should be, reloped cams. I dunno wtf my trucks problem is. Just likes putting a hurtin' on my wallet.

its a 4.0L you get bad fuel economy no matter how you drive it, you should have done a little research before you bought it.... i get about 26 MPG out of my 2.5L with a 5 speed

I didn't buy it because I wanted to be gas thrifty:tongue:

But the damn EPA sticker says 16/18

Even my last 03 that I bought new only got about 15 at the max bone stock being a gereatric accelerator pedal operator.

don't you have oversize tires, both in diameter and width?

how do headers, increased flow out (via. exhaust) and increased flow in (via. intake) increase fuel economy? I figure the increase in power is offset by the fact the the increased air is compensated by increased gas by the ECU so you get the appropriate air/fuel ratio for combustion.

do you have to drive up and down a lot of hills?

how much of your driving is highway?

do you have an automatic?

is your driving style granny-esque?

are you calculating you gas mileage correctly? (number of miles driven/fuel added*correction factor for tires)

all those things can add up and make your gas mileage worse

thats normal... put up and shut up. or sell it and buy a hybrid. A what the hell, but a hybrid I need your gas.......

thats normal... put up and shut up. or sell it and buy a hybrid. A what the hell, buy a hybrid I need your gas.....

aarrrggghhh.. double post

Definitely all that figures in with the new truck but like I said on my old '03 4.0sohc(brand new/bone stock) before I touched a thing on it it would average 15mpg.

......and yes I know how to properly calculate mpg =] lol

well poo on u guys, i wish i seen that milage.. my 360 loves to suck it down.. plus i gotta 27gal tank.. (i think)

You're right. I didn't do my homework on this thing.

You know, I just got back from driving my truck and I love it despite its lousy gas mileage! Although, I'm glad it's not my daily driver.

There is NOTHING you can buy or install that is going to actually save you money. All that stuff people listed will cost far more than the money you will save by adding one mpg.

Don't drive like its a fighter jet, thats about all you can do.

Like mentioned before, would a tune-up help?

drive slower...I've managed 20 mpg with my SOHC and 22 with a OHV.

A tune up might help, no guarantees though. Might not be a bad idea, seeing as how you bought a used vehicle. I say do it. Then you know where you stand with everything.

I have a 4.0 SOHC (bone stock) and if I stay off the pedal, I can get just over 20MPG on the highway. Everyday driving I average a bit over 16MPG - that's mixed city and freeway driving. I could probably get better mileage around town, but I have a heavy right foot. Apparently not as heavy as most of the folks posting here though...

Hey the only way we can render there little countrys useless is to burn through the only thing that makes em important, so your just doing your part.