2000 SR5 Gas Mileage Help!

S

sr1752

New member
Hi, I'm new to the board here and I'm having a problem with my 2000 SR5 I got about 4 months back. I'm averaging out right now at 12.2 MPG12.2 MPG ! Thats H2 Humvee bad. Whether the epa estimates are off by a little bit or not, this is pretty bad, it's supposed to get much more than that. It is a V6, 4WD SR5 with the extra body elements/trim of the Limited model.

I live in the Pittsburgh area and about half of my daily mileage is highway and the other half city. I don't drive it like a maniac, only had to use 4WD twice since i've got it, and i don't have the power boost button on inadvertantly. I've had the air filter changed and even had it back at the dealership for this problem as well as a few other problems it had, and its still getting the poor mileage if not even worse. The vehicle is Toyota Certified, was bought at a Toyota Dealership, and had a spotless carfax report.

Has anyone else run into this sort of problem with their 4Runners, or does anybody have any suggestions? I really don't want to take it back again and spend a truckload of cash for them to tell me there isn't much they can do for it. If anyone has any tips or input it would be greatly appreciated, thanks

s
 
Register to hide this ad
I drive pretty much all city, and I'm getting around 10 MPG. Like 150 miles to a tank, maybe 10 of those miles are highway.

It sucks, I don't know why. I think it could be the cold weather. But I'm not sure, I'm still trying to figure out what's wrong with mine.
 
I'd have to go dig out the reciept from when i took it in to remember exactly what they said they did. When it went in for service they fixed the fog lights which crapped out after two days. Fixed the fuel gauge which would drop to empty a day or two after i filled up even though there was usually over ten gallons left in the tank. Fixed the brakes saying there was some size issue based on what the previous owner had installed and they didn't catch in their inspection. And lastly said they fixed whatever the problem was with it getting low mileage. At that time it was getting 14 to 15 mpg average. After they worked on it was getting what it was supposed to be getting, then in the past few months its dropped back down to even worse than what it was getting before the service.
 
RE: Gas Mileage

Hi there folks, I have a 95 4Runner sr5 4WD. Gas milage is an issue of course..here are a few of my observations.
1. The 3vz an 5vz seem to like premium gasolene and preferibly a brand like Mobile or Chevron. On regular gas on my 3vz-e around town i get about 180-200 miles per tank. When i use Mobile premium it goes up to 250-260 miles per tank..a difference of about 70 miles. I have also got poor mileage using premium gas from other companies..which tells me that the gasolene is not the same. I have been using one gas station now for months and am constantly getting 250-260 miles per tank. and my car is heavy with a winch and 32 in tires. The 5VZ is a more fuel efficient engine and should do much better than the 3vze.

2.I have added a hood scoop to my 95 4runner which allows cool air to cool the large Aluminium intake manifold. This manifold gets very hot and reduces volumetric efficiency due to hot air entering the combustion chamber.Without a hood scoop one cannot hold the manifold after a drive..it is HOTTTTTT..mostly getting blasted from the hot radiator air from the fan.Mine is cool to the toutch after driving..i am sure it helps with my fuel economy. Most modern cars now use Plastic intake manifolds for this reason. If you have a 96-2002 model with a hood scoop i suggest you cut away the plastic from the inside to make the hood scoop active ..it will help alot.

3. I also have a k&n filter and Platinum+4 plugs..remember also that Tire pressure is key..If you do alot of highway driving look at your max tire press (ON THE TIRE) and pump it up to 10 lbs less than max. Freewheel hubs are a must too if you can afford them.

4. Install a vacuum gauge too..lots on ebay..Its a wonderfull tool for engine diagnosis and to curb bad driving habits (throttle). It can tell you if you have a vacuum leak or a bad sparkplug or wire..It also tells you your throttle position and if you are in the right gear for the speed you are in...Sounds like a joke..but its true..it helps me alot with gass savings....:ENJOY..MILO
 
Last edited:
Cutting the scoop has been discussed on another board a bit and in reality the only benefit would be releasing a bit of the underhood heat but it would also let in a lot dirt and rain and you'd just have a dirty engine. I wouldn't do it since there is no performance gain to be had.

Having no scoop would be the best for MPGs since the scoop creates more drag.
 
RE: Hood scoop

Hi there folks..I am realy convinced that the hood scoop does work by cooling the intake manifold and droping intake air temp in the cylinders hence making the engine more efficient. Plastic intake manifolds are in use now for the same reason. As for the other effects..Dirty engine... i have not noticed any significant dirt..maybe a bit of sand and bugs. As for the rain...I have operated the 3VZ with the engine completely under water with no ill effects...the engine is well sealed..and i have an ARB snorkel too... A little rain is nothing.. i also wash it with a pressure hose every month or so too with no ill effects...I can send you pics with 4Runner under water.....I just share what i have seen..Thanks.
 
rather than using a hood scoop, just take out your air elbow. it has a big opening in your right side of the engine. and you could sure see light from the engine to that small part. i'm sure you could get lots of air from that area. but of course, you should have a mud guard.
 
Deckplate or elbow mod nets more power than chopping up the scoop and it won't hurt resale value as some "mods" can.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 235 (members: 2, guests: 233)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,071
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top