How to Increase Fuel Economy in a Toyota Tacoma

According to the federal government, the 2009 Toyota Tacoma 2-wheel drive 4 cylinder automatic gets 21 mpg combined and the 6 cylinder gets 18 mpg. By changing your driving style and staying up to date on truck maintenance, you can improve the Tacoma's fuel economy. Tacoma owners reported their actual mpg on fueleconomy.gov, and their average mpg was higher than the estimated mpg by at least 1.5 mpg.

Instructions

1. Remove extra weight from the back of the truck. Extra weight makes the engine use more fuel.

2. Perform scheduled maintenance. Changing the oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles will maintain your truck's performance. You should also check your air filter whenever you get an oil change. A dirty oil filter can reduce fuel economy.

3. Check your tire pressure at least once a month or before long trips. Low tire pressure forces the engine to use more power to rotate the tires.

4. Change your driving style. Set your cruise control t no more than 70 mph on the highway. Accelerate slowly. Try to anticipate stops so you can let up on the gas in advance and glide to a stop.

References

• Fuel Economy.gov - EPA fuel economy estimates
• Toyota Maintenance Schedule

Resources

• Car Talk's Guide to Better Fuel Economy