To chin or not to chin

[lauren01]

Drove around LA for 3 days seeing some friends, still got 25 MPG and nobody got mad. People can go around, not my problem.

I don't expect trucks to be fast when I'm in my WRX.

In fact, I get more annoyed when I see guys in trucks do reckless shit and speed in some of the heaviest and poorest handling vehicles on the road.

Same here. Trucks tend to bully me when I’m in the Integra. Tacoma and 4Runner drivers are horrible where I live. I promise to keep being a polite truck driver. They can burn their gas fast and roll theirs.
/rant over

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[rijc99]

Not sure I believe 25 mpg driving around downtown la but also three days is not enough. And you do realize there is some hyperbole in my previous statement right?

 

[TrailAdventurer]

I've continued to find the topic of mileage pretty interesting and finally got around to looking into the EPA’s test regimen. I asked ChatGPT about it—here’s what it returned:

It’s definitely thought-provoking. I have to say, some of the figures are unintentionally hilarious: a “city” test with an average speed of 21 MPH, and a “highway” test averaging just 48 MPH. Personally, I think 55 MPH is the bare minimum for something to count as highway driving.

I should find a quiet road somewhere and actually try the test—13 minutes at those speeds. Honestly, even my Wrangler—Stitch—with its roof rack, an extra 1,000 lbs of gear bolted on, and all the aerodynamics of a backward-facing parachute, gets 20 MPG at 50 MPH. If it weren’t already 6 p.m., I’d be tempted to go out and run a test now. Then again, Sunday evening might actually be the safest time to try it <g>.

As expected, the EPA test cycles don’t reflect real-world driving for most of us. In Metro Detroit, for example, trying to accelerate to 48 MPH in 60 seconds on then cruise any expressway is a good way to cause a serious accident.

---
The EPA’s published city and highway MPG figures—such as the 22/24 MPG rating for the 2025 Tacoma Hybrid—are not measured by Toyota itself but are determined using standardized laboratory tests mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Here’s a high-level overview of what those tests involve:

1. The City Test (FTP-75)

• Simulates urban stop-and-go driving.
• Lasts about 31 minutes over an 11-mile cycle.
• Includes 23 stops, with an average speed of ≈ 21 mph and a peak of 56 mph.
• Done at roughly 75 °F (24 °C) on a dynamometer (a treadmill-style test stand).
• Vehicles start with a cold engine, then a second run simulates a hot restart.

2. The Highway Test (HWFET)

• Simulates steady-speed highway travel.
• About 10 miles, lasting ≈ 13 minutes.
• Average speed ≈ 48 mph, top speed ≈ 60 mph, with no stops and gentle acceleration.

3. Supplemental “Real-World” Tests

Since 2008 the EPA has added three more adjustments to bring ratings closer to what drivers see:

• US06 High-Speed/Aggressive: bursts up to 80 mph, brisk acceleration, and short stops.
• SC03 Air-Conditioning: city-style cycle with the A/C running in 95 °F heat.
• Cold-Temperature: city cycle at 20 °F, measuring the effect of cold starts.

All five results are combined mathematically to yield the window-sticker MPG numbers you see.

Why real owners vary so much

Individual mileage often diverges because the test assumes:

• Smooth acceleration and moderate speeds
• Flat terrain and mild temperatures
• No heavy payloads, off-roading, or oversized tires

By contrast, real Tacoma drivers face wind, grades, mixed driving styles, and aftermarket accessories that increase drag and weight—explaining why some see 26 MPG while others barely top 17 MPG.

 

[rijc99]

If these tests are done on a dyno then they are not factoring in wind resistance or drag. Are they doing some kind of formula at the end on the results to factor those in? I would’ve thought they would at least use a test loop.

 

[Lando]

It’s not bad enough for me to take it off if it was pavement only truck. For any off roading I’d remove it.
I get 19.2 mpg (US gallon) in city driving in my truck consistently. I use 12.25L per 100km. Mine is an Off Road trim.
If in 2027 I upgrade to a Sport Premium as it’s the only way to have a 6’ bed, Softex and a trailer brake controller here, I will remove it and buy the cross bar to be able to mount my TRD skid plate.

 

[lauren01]

It’s not bad enough for me to take it off if it was pavement only truck. For any off roading I’d remove it.
I get 19.2 mpg (US gallon) in city driving in my truck consistently. I use 12.25L per 100km. Mine is an Off Road trim.
If in 2027 I upgrade to a Sport Premium as it’s the only way to have a 6’ bed, Softex and a trailer brake controller here, I will remove it and buy the cross bar to be able to mount my TRD skid plate.

FYSA, currently 2024-2026 Trailhunter models have a 6 foot bed option. I have a 2025 with 6 foot bed.
(not a manual option though :( )

 

[Lando]

FYSA, currently 2024-2026 Trailhunter models have a 6 foot bed option. I have a 2025 with 6 foot bed.
(not a manual option though :( )

Yes you are right, I meant for gas only models.

 

[djevans]

I'm not making the decision based on what "most people' do, but I am interested in what the general consensus is on the '25 chin. Are most keeping, or removing it?

I'm keeping it. If there's even a little bit of mileage to be gained by it, I'm gonna keep it. It doesn't bother me a bit.

 

[bigbunk62]

I kind of like the air dam on my '25 Underground SR5 4WD, it mostly blends in. I do pay attention to curbs when I park. May take it off in December for protection from snow banks, but it'll go back on end of March if I do that.

Every Toyota we've owned for the past 13 years has been able to meet or beat EPA estimates. I'm averaging 26 MPG since I bought the truck in April. It even gets better mileage than my '12 2WD Access Cab 2.7L AT by 3 MPG, according to the Fuelly app.

The dash display on my truck has also been pretty close to calculated MPGs for tank averages. I don't hyper-mile, but I do try to keep RPMs at or below 2K, ease off and on throttle at lights, lift going down and up hills, and my speed at 70 MPH on the interstate.

I like the look of the trucks both with and without the aero; don't understand why some people have to resort to insults when discussing it.

 

[Wolf359]

I didn’t mind it until…….The car wash guy was waving me up and the damn dam drugged so loud I think everyone for a block heard it. I may not be off roading a limited, but it’s still a truck. It is ridiculous a truck drags the car wash tracking. That was the last time the dam saw daylight.

 

[rijc99]

I like the look of the trucks both with and without the aero; don't understand why some people have to resort to insults when discussing it.b

Some people are too sensitive. We’re all friends here right? Friends make fun of each other and throw insults for fun.

 

[Steve.]

I know it’s a little pickup not a sports car, but I commute to work on empty roads and am daily cursing along at 90+ mph and she’s smooth as can be. Wonder if removing it would affect that.

 

[Sardonick007]

I didn’t mind it until…….The car wash guy was waving me up and the damn dam drugged so loud I think everyone for a block heard it. I may not be off roading a limited, but it’s still a truck. It is ridiculous a truck drags the car wash tracking. That was the last time the dam saw daylight.

I love that color.

 

[WhiskeyTallwood]

I am in Toyota country in Georgetown KY. I rarely see ANYONE driving with it removed.

One of my oldest friends lives in Georgetown, KY! I grew up a bit north, in the Florence / Edgewood areas.

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