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In the noisy sprawl of online truck ownership forums, one topic refuses to die: Why is my gas mileage worse than everyone else’s? Scroll through the 2023–2025 Toyota Tundra Owners Facebook group on any given day, and you’ll find a variation of the same post, a new owner, a disappointing MPG number, and a flurry of replies ranging from the sympathetic to the skeptical.
Most threads dissolve into a blend of conjecture, mechanical theories, and driving-style disclaimers. But recently, one voice in that digital din came armed with something far rarer: a decade’s worth of hard data.
“Almost every day I see, “How many MPG do you get?”
And every day, I see people moan about their poor gas mileage.
Before I get to the point of this post, let me explain what I did for the past 10 years.
I was the driving safety director for a fleet of almost 1,400 trucks (1/2 – 1 ton and about 65 F450 and F550). My job was to analyze MILLIONS of data points from each truck’s ECM/ECU every month to reduce accidents and to improve fuel consumption.
To give you an idea of the depth of data available on today’s vehicles from an off-the-shelf vehicle/driver monitoring system, I could see in almost real time everything the truck’s powertrain was doing.
Oil pressure/temps, engine temp, RPM’s and gear position, trans temp, you name it.
I could also see turning, acceleration, and braking force measured in G’s out to 6 digits. I could tell you exactly when or if you turned on your windshield wipers AND if it was raining (yes was tied to NOAA weather data by GPS location) or if you used the washer fluid!
Think dealership-level analyzer without edit or update abilities.
Lots of things can cause minor reductions in MPG, things like load and a lift, but towing, heavy loads, and oversized tires can cause significant reductions in MPG.
Long story short, the reason for YOUR stock Tundra averaging 15-16 MPG compared to others averaging 19-22 MPG (Excluding a mechanical cause) is YOU!
That’s right, it’s the way YOU are driving it.
I’ve proven this assertion to over a hundred drivers in the past 10 years, and data doesn’t lie.
Those drivers used every excuse in the book, “I drive like a grandpa, “I don’t floor it”, but when I put another driver in their truck, and the truck started getting 4-6 MPG more, the argument ended.
It’s not false MPG estimates by Toyota, it’s not break-in, it’s not anything else, it’s YOUR driving habits!
Heavy-footed accelerations from stops, in traffic, passing in highway driving, following too closely, hard braking at stops, etc., are all aggressive driving habits that cause poor MPG.
I’m sure I’ll get flamed for this post, so I’ll end with the same thing I told hundreds of others,…. I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU THINK, I know what reality is backed by 10 years of data!”
For a decade, he had monitored fleets and Tundras the way NASA monitors spacecraft: oil temperature, gear position, braking force measured out to six decimal places, even wiper fluid use cross-referenced with NOAA weather data. In his world, excuses wilted under the glare of telemetry. When he says he can spot a lead foot in the numbers, he means it.
Toyota Tundra Engine Failures and Recall Challenges
- Many 2022–2023 Tundra owners are facing mass engine replacements due to a large-scale recall affecting roughly 100,000 trucks, leading to surprising wait times and repairs in dealer service bays.
- Some owners continue to experience catastrophic failures like lockups or complete shutdowns even after relatively low mileage, highlighting the severity of the defects.
- Warning signs such as sudden drops in MPG, sluggish throttle response, odd odors at start-up, and engine smoke have preceded catastrophic breakdowns in certain cases.
- Even after replacement under warranty, a few trucks still suffer from performance issues, running rough or lacking proper throttle response, making post-repair quality a growing concern.
The group reacted as online truck owners do, some nodding in agreement, others retreating into brand loyalty or the comfort of mechanical theories. One member, Marc Aliventi, cut through the noise with a simple reminder:
“If you are buying and using a truck, don’t expect the gas mileage of an economy car.”
True enough, but Mabry countered with hard examples, namely, that certain diesel F-150s managed 25–29 mpg on the highway, proof that size and capability don’t automatically doom efficiency when paired with disciplined driving.
The Uneven Reality Of The MPG Race
When asked what behaviors had the biggest impact, Mabry answered:
“Sustained speed over 75 and harsh acceleration from stop signs and red lights where the roadway speed limit was 45–50 mph.”
Above 75 mph, aerodynamic drag becomes the silent thief of efficiency.
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And every wide-open-throttle launch from a light dumps raw fuel into the engine, making those 15 mpg averages a matter of choice, not fate.
Not everyone bristled at the message. David Penrose Jr. admitted,
“I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt my 16mpg is 100% me and how I start off at lights and stop signs.”
His honesty earned Mabry’s respect, and a Porsche anecdote about his own years behind the wheel of a 911 SC Targa, driven like it was stolen, averaging 12 mpg but worth every drop burned.
Toyota Tundra Recall Process & Owner Response
- The recall repair process is being executed in phases, and some owners report long delays, especially in areas where dealers are still clearing backlogs.
- Toyota has, in some instances, provided excellent customer service, like “white-glove” treatment or warranty extensions, but outcomes still vary greatly by location and service experience.
- In cases like the 2024 Tundra, the post-repair experience remains inconsistent, with some owners left feeling that the solution was far from fully resolved.
- Despite the negative experiences, many owners hold onto their loyalty to Toyota, even when the recall process tests conventional expectations of reliability.
A Tundra is a tool, sometimes a workhorse, sometimes a recreational escape, sometimes both. But the telemetry doesn’t care about intention.
Whether you’re hauling a trailer across state lines or simply enjoying the truck’s torque at every green light, the ECM is quietly scoring your decisions.
The truth is clean, direct, and occasionally uncomfortable: your Tundra’s fuel economy is, more often than not, a mirror reflecting your right foot. The truck isn’t lying. The numbers aren’t lying. And as Mabry says, the data doesn’t lie either.
Image Sources: Toyota Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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Source: torquenews.com
