Toyota Tundra Owners Share Fuel-Saving Tips

When you buy a pickup truck like the Toyota Tundra, chances are getting the maximum number of miles to the gallon isn’t too high on your list of priorities. Trucks are known for being gas-guzzlers—although the rising price of gas hasn’t been enough to turn truck fans away to something more efficient, like a crossover. Many automakers have increased the MPG ratings of their trucks in recent years, but if you drive the 2014 Tundra you’ll be getting a maximum rating of 16 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Over on the Tundra Talk forum, owners have been sharing tips on how to maximize the efficiency of their trucks, and we’ve picked out the best of their fuel saving tips to share with you.

Check Your Tires

One of the most commonly-known ways to save on gasoline is to ensure your tires are always inflated to their optimum level. This is a no-brainer for many drivers, but reminding ourselves of this from time to time could help save some extra dollars. The more under-inflated your tires, the more fuel it takes for them to get going. And with the big, hardworking tires that come with the Tundra, it makes sense to ensure they’re properly inflated. But don’t forget that it works both ways; over-inflate your tires, and you’ll wear out your tires more quickly, which adds up to more money.

Slow Down

When you’re driving a giant hulk of a vehicle like the Toyota Tundra, it can be tempting to assert your dominance on the road by driving like a bat out of hell. But if you replace hard acceleration and sudden braking with slow acceleration, utilizing cruise control whenever possible, and coasting instead of using your brakes, you’ll notice that the period of time between fill-ups gets longer. And, although it’s not always practical, keeping your speed between 55 and 65 mph on the highway can help save gas as well.

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Lighten Up

When you have a truck like the Tundra, it’s tempting to load it up with anything you might need in case of an emergency. But by keeping your truck empty whenever possible, you’ll be using less gas. It’s science, right? A lighter load is easier to carry around than a heavier load, which means that the lighter your vehicle, the less gasoline it takes to power it.

Maintain, Maintain, Maintain!

That routine oil change might seem like a chore, but skipping it could cost you in the long run. Similarly, if your air filter is on its last legs and you don’t change it, your gas mileage can be negatively affected. Taking your truck to your mechanic for routine maintenance is a no-brainer all around.

Switch Out Your Air Filter

The air filter that comes standard in your Tundra works just fine. But if you really want to maximize your fuel economy, switching it up for a K&N Air Filter can help improve your fuel economy by around 0.5 mile per gallon—which, over 100,000 miles, can add up to $1,100. When used in conjunction with the other fuel-saving tips given by Tundra drivers, this can make a pretty significant difference. Other air filter brands to try include aFe and Volant.

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