07 Taco 4x4 MPG - 5-auto vs 6-manual

May 16, 2007 11 Replies

Toyota is listing the rated MPG of the 6-speed manual 4x4 as being lower than the 5-speed auto. This seems to defy logic to me. Does anyone have any real-world experience to report for actual MPG?



Any ideas why this is? Are they using different 4WD systems?


My real world MPG readings for a 2005 version are right in the predicted range. The 2005 manual is rated for 1 MPG less than the automatic, as well.

My 2007 Taco 4X4 with the 5-speed auto gets about 18.5 in the city. On the one road trip I've taken, with about 200 pounds of cargo, it got 25 mpg. But I was driving at 65 mph. Regular gas. I noticed when I was going 65, the tach was showing less than 2000 rpm.

Yes, I'm assuming that it's a matter of RPMs, the auto must have a killer overdrive.

Don't know about the 4 x 4 and can't speak for the MT, however, my results so far with 2007 tacoma double cab 2wd prerunner.

Tank no.miles gals mpg %highwayhighway miles city miles

1 253 12.4 20.5 50% 126.5 126.5 2 194.8 8.9 21.8 100% 194.8 0 3 293.3 15.5 18.9 0% 0 293.3 4 145.8 8.0 18.2 0% 0 145.8 5 194.6 10.3 18.9 10% 19.46 175.14 6 187.1 8.6 21.6 90% 168.39 18.71 7 312.1 15.9 19.7 66% 205.986106.114 8 231.7 11.7 19.8 40% 92.68 139.02 9 355.9 18.3 19.4 100% 355.9 0 10 308.2 16.4 18.7 20% 61.64 246.56 11 226.7 11.9 19.0 10% 22.67 204.03 12 303.3 13.7 22.1 90% 272.97 30.33 13 300.2 15.7 19.1 0% 0 300.2 3306.7 167.4 19.8 1520.996 1785.704 46% 54% very close to the Toyota estimates of 19/22 for this version. I'm very happy.

Frank

I don't know if this is relevant because I don't know what similarities are between the Tacoma and the FJ. Last spring I was looking for the 2007 FJ.

The FJ nearly has the same 4.0 L engine. I was surprised the FJ with the 5-speed auto was rated for better MPG than the 6 speed manual. When I looked up the gear ratios, the automatic has a higher geared overdrive.

The real shocker: The manual FJ does NOT have a disengagable 4wd. Seems crazy to require the driver to manually shift through 6 gears but NOT allow 4wd disengage.

I was not willing to trade these two factors in order to get the lowest low gear in the manual.

The Tacoma certainly does allow the driver to disengage 4wd.

Looks like Toyota can be misleading in some of their TV ads.

So maybe, just maybe, they are lying a bit to get everyone to spend more for their automatics, which also require more frequent servicing.

Or, maybe to get the lower MPG on the manual, they had their driver shift at really high RPMs.

For the Highway mileage, maybe the automatic comes with higher rear end gears.

All th> Toyota is listing the rated MPG of the 6-speed manual 4x4 as being lower

Whatever you do, don't let the facts prevent you from forming a biased opinion.

The mileage estimates are from the EPA, not from Toyota. (DUH) The differential gear ratios are the same. All things being the same, you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

The FJ comes with full-time 4WD on the 6-sp, which does seem odd. The Tacos all come with the same part-time 4WD system AFAIK.

On Wed, 16 May 2007 11:53:43 -0700, Dan G spat out the following (in article ):

2006 Taco 4x4 TRD 6 speed manual with camper shell 17.5 around town

20 highway

Desert Guy

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required