Hi All,
I am interested in buying a 2006 Toyota Tundra access cab p/u, and I am trying to decide between the V-6 and V-8 models. I do not anticipate to do much towing, so I am leaning towards the V6 engine. But I’d like to know how much fuel I will save with a V6 rather than a V8?
Also, how much more fuel efficient is a 2WD versus a 4WD?
Thank you in advance for your help,
Kit
As a general rule, the v8 would be more appropriate with 4wd and 6 with the 2 wd which is much more comfortable riding. The 6 in 2 wd will tow lighter loads, in the 3500 lb or less range with no problem though it’s rated for more. Fuel efficiency with either model is not going to be great and would not recommend either as a commuter car. Is it a second car for you ?
Thanks for the quick replies – I will be using the truck for everything, including a 30 mile round trip commute to work. Wife has a more fuel efficient vehicle, so we will use the truck to cart our gear around in. We don’t plan on doing much towing. I will check the fuel econ. website to compare. Many thanks, Kit
I have an '04 Tundra V8 with 4WD. It’s a great truck but it’s not great on gas, but not terrible either. I get about 16 or 17 mpg on the highway, about 12 or 13 around town. I don’t think the 4 wheel drive makes much difference because I talked to a guy that has a 2WD and his mileage is about the same.
I occasionally tow a trailer, about 3000 lbs, and the mileage seems much worse. I never checked it when towing (I don’t want to know).
If you’re not towing, I’d go with the V6. And I guess the 4WD just depends on how much snow you get where you live.
Any interest in the 2 wd Tacoma of newer vintage which with the 4 cyl in 2 wd is a one of most economical PUs you can get ?
Well you can’t get a V6 4WD 2006 Tundra. Those were V8s only. For the 2WD the V6 with automatic gets 16 MPG city and 21 highway. The V8 is somewhat less frugal at 14 city and 17 highway. The 4WD V8 is rated at 13 city and 16 highway. Frankly when you are buying a full sized truck, fuel economy shouldn’t be a big issue.
I happen to have a 2006 Tundra Access Cab 2X4 4.7 V8 automatic SR5 TRD Package.
If you go to the linked sites, you’ll immediately discover that the new Tundra gets much better gas mileage, even with the bigger engine.
But that doesn’t matter, the money you save on the 06 will buy a whole lotta petrol.
And the 06 is a fine machine.
Here is what I posted at www.tundratalk.com in February.
4.7 Gas Mileage. Feb 09.
44,844 to 48,455 miles = 17.3 MPG
02-02 … 332 mi … 18.481 gal … 18.0 MPG
02-06 … 241 mi … 13.753 gal … 17.5 MPG
02-09 … 237 mi … 14.099 gal … 16.8 MPG
02-11 … 324 mi … 18.462 gal … 17.5 MPG
02-13 … 169 mi … 10.790 gal … 15.7 MPG
02-16 … 330 mi … 18.839 gal … 17.5 MPG
02-17 … 380 mi … 20.911 gal … 18.2 MPG
02-17 … 172 mi … 09.235 gal … 18.6 MPG
02-19 … 276 mi … 15.143 gal … 18.2 MPG
02-21 … 302 mi … 17.080 gal … 17.7 MPG
02-24 … 230 mi … 13.159 gal … 17.5 MPG
02-25 … 256 mi … 14.828 gal … 17.3 MPG
02-27 … 402 mi … 22.286 gal … 18.0 MPG
Still averages around the mid 17’s.
2006 Tundra replaced a
98 Dakota 3.9 automatic, long bed.
Retired with broken A/C, July 2008.
623,000 miles.
On original engine and transmission, using Amsoil by-pass filters and lubrication.
+Everybody knows something you don’t know.
+Truth does not need to be ‘balanced’ and it ain’t caused by voting or consensus or polls or yelling louder or silencing someone.
+Artists prove truth can be in forms you don’t understand.
This is from www.tundrasolutions.com
Default 4.7 Tundra - November Gas Mileage
Date…Miles Driven…Cost…gallons… .MPG
11-02-08…181…$25.26… …10.443…17.3
11-03-08…149…$19.95… …08.247…18.1
11-04-08…127…$16.28… …06.901…18.4
11-05-08…307…$39.73… …16.840…18.2
11-07-08…334…$43.67… …18.512…18.0
11-08-08…247…$32.13… …13.974…17.7
11-16-08…338…$41.10… …20.561…16.4
11-18-08…214…$26.25… …13.133…16.3
11-19-08…149…$17.26… …08.635…17.3
11-21-08…371…$42.30… …21.595…17.2
11-22-08…209…$22.56… …11.879…17.6
11-25-08…219…$23.31… …12.957…16.9
11-26-08…413…$39.37… …22.382…18.5
11-19-08…247…$25.59… …14.464…17.1
15 days driving…3505…$373.76… 261.47…17.5
That, and the previous MPG charts I’ve posted were with a stock truck.
December should be fun.
I installed Pulstar Pulse Plugs. They say that alone should yield a mile or two improvement in gas mileage.
I will keep you informed.
Thanks all for your responses – this has made my decision a lot easier. ANd Fo Dad, I realize fuel economy isn’t a big issue. If it was, I’d get a Prius. But it is something to add into the equation nonetheless when researching a vehicle.
One neat new feature they have on the fueleconomy.gov site is that you can switch the ratings to gallons per 100 miles, which shows you that with big trucks an extra MPG or two really does make a really big difference in your overall fuel usage.