Better Gas Mileage for My 1995 T4R V6

[CMC]

I have a 1995 Toyota 4Runner with stock wheels and tires and I am planning on upgrading my tires within the couple of months to General Tire GRABBER AT2 31X10.50R15 109S OWL. First off, is this going to lower my gas mileage at all? and secondly, what is every way, or most ways (preferably cheapest) to get better gas mileage? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jhacker1]

I have a 1995 Toyota 4Runner with stock wheels and tires and I am planning on upgrading my tires within the couple of months to General Tire GRABBER AT2 31X10.50R15 109S OWL. First off, is this going to lower my gas mileage at all? and secondly, what is every way, or most ways (preferably cheapest) to get better gas mileage? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hello there. I also have a 95 with 31's on it I believe i get around 15 or so. and i've done some research on improving my gas mileage as well. And some of the things i came up with are not ttoooo expensive.

1. E3 performance spark plugs, $5.99 each @ jcwhitney
2. Tornado, it's an engine performance booster $64.99 @ jcwhitney

Those are the two main things i've researched. I'm sure there are more. Best of luck to ya. 95 t4r all the way!!:guitar3:

 

[DSpease15]

95 t4r all the way!!:guitar3:[/QUOTE]

Hell yea... I think the 95' T4R are the best 4Runner there is. I have a black 1995 T4R SR5 4x4, and I am loving it very much! Got any pictures of your T4R?!

 

[99blackSE]

Basic tune up items, PCV valve, plugs, cap, rotor. Depending on age new wires too. If you had 31" tires stock you shouldn't see much of an increase or decrease in fuel mileage, if any at all. I've seen mileage from guys all over the place, anywhere from 13 to 20 mpg for the V6. The biggest thing you can do is change your driving style.

Forget the Tornado garbage.

 

[DSpease15]

Forget the Tornado garbage.

Why's that? I just took a look at it, and from I am also looking for ways to improve my mpg.

 

[99blackSE]

Why's that? I just took a look at it, and from I am also looking for ways to improve my mpg.

You can try it but it appears that a lot of people report it decreasing their mileage or other problems. I don't exactly see how it would help at all given the ribbed intake designs on a lot of cars.

From test ran by Popular Mechanics magazine, there was no evidence of any fuel savings.

VORTEX GENERATORS
These devices, which are usually installed on the upstream side of the mass airflow (MAF) sensor, use stationary vanes or, on some devices, spinning blades to make the inlet air between the air cleaner and intake manifold whirl around in a mini-tornado. This vortex supposedly mixes fuel more thoroughly with air, which means the fuel will, theoretically, burn more completely in the combustion chamber. Trouble is, there's a lot of intake tract downstream from these devices designed to maximize a smooth airflow. Turbulence, coupled with the restricted airflow caused by the device, can only reduce the amount of air sucked into the manifold. Less air means less power.

Again, we tested two devices. The TornadoFuelSaver is a nicely made stainless steel contraption, available in an assortment of sizes to fit most vehicles. We installed it on our truck's intake tract immediately upstream of the MAF sensor. We purchased the second device, the Intake Twister, on eBay. It was crudely handmade from sheet-aluminum flashing and pop rivets. It looked like something we could make in about 10 minutes from an old soda can. The staff at UTI was reluctant to install it: The bent sheetmetal vanes looked as if they might break off and be digested by the engine. The device is one-size-fits-all, and is simply bent into a curl to insert it into the intake duct.

THE DYNO SAYS: Both devices reduced peak horsepower by more than 10 percent. The Intake Twister increased fuel consumption by about 20 percent; the TornadoFuelSaver provided no significant change

Author:Timion, Matt
Publication:GasSavers.org - Fuel Efficiency, Save Gas and Gas Mileage Forum
Date:10/19/2005

The Tornado Fuel Saver has been around for years now, claiming to give you an increase up to 24% in gas mileage.

The theory behind this device is that is will swirl the air coming in from the intake, which when mixed with gasoline will increase combustion and make the combustion more complete. In theory this means you have to use less gas to achieve the same speed and power, resulting in higher miles-per-gallon.
Many independant magazines and websites have tested this device over the years, which have all concluded that this device will not work, especially on modern fuel injected cars.
Even though Consumer Reports, the Department of Energy, the E.P.A, and countless other resources have tested this and other similar products with no positive results, people still convinced that this item may work.

Below is a review of the Tornado Fuel Saver from amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/r...-20&creative=9325&path=http://www.amazon.com/)

The Tornado Fuel Saver is a great idea for the patent holder and anyone else making money from its sales.
As an automotive technician I have encountered many devices that claim to improve performance or gas mileage. The Tornado is nice and shiny and makes an excellent paperweight or doorstop.

The theory of swirling the air/fuel mixture into the combustion chamber is nothing new; many modern vehicles are able to attain this with intake valves that open at slightly different times. There is very little doubt within the automotive industry that the better atomization of fuel within the combustion chamber yields better performance and as a result efficiency (mileage) for each unit of fuel and air that is taken into the motor.

However the Tornado Fuel Saver does not work for most modern cars and here is the reason: <br>
When the tornado is placed before a Mass AirFlow Sensor, otherwise known as a MAF, all that swirling air will be turbulent once again after passing through the sensor. Most MAFs have screens protecting the fragile wires (Hot Wire MAF) inside. If you have a Vane style MAF, then your airflow is even worse. No help from the Tornado before the MAF.

Stock intakes these days have a whole lot of ridges and baffles built into them, some are for strength so the intake piping doesn't collapse under vacuum, some are there to help quiet the roaring sound of the intake. If you place the Tornado after the MAF, but still within a stock intake, you are unlikely to see any improvement as the ridges and pockets will cause turbulence.

A modern vehicle with Sequential Fuel Injection will not see much benefit. Usually the fuel injectors are pointed towards the intake valve(s) meaning that fuel is squirted on top of the valve seat. This is where the swirling is the most important; however this is well into the intake manifold where a Tornado cannot be installed.

Fuel injectors on a modern day vehicle are designed to atomize the fuel as efficiently as possible. The atomization of fuel is in the design of the intake manifold, the fuel injectors, valves, and head.
The vehicles that it may have a positive effect on would be the older carbureted cars with an air filter that sits directly atop the carb. The swirling may help atomization a minute amount as the air passes through the carburetor's venturis. However, the benefits in that case are still minimal and not worth the lighter wallet.

Tornado Fuel Saver's infomercial mentions commercial vehicles while showing large 18-wheel big rigs. The mention of using one of these on a Diesel engine is laughable. Diesel engines compress the incoming air before fuel is added to it, once again the gains are minimal, assuming there are any gains using this product in a Diesel engine.

Some vehicles these days, especially European cars, are equipped with turbochargers (Kompressors for you Mercedes folk). A turbocharger unit forces more air (measured in Cubic Feet) and pressure to the engine. That extra pressure, commonly called "boost" helps atomize any fuel that has collected at the valves. (Fuel injectors running at a low 50% duty cycle are still spraying on a closed valve about half of the time). The "extra" air forced into the engine allows for more fuel to be burned during the combustion process. This creates an engine with a higher volumetric efficiency, meaning more power/liter for that particular engine. If you have a turbocharger, you don't need a Tornado, because you already have something much better.

The mileage gains that people see are likely to be from driving habits. This claim is backed up with anecdotal evidence, someone explains that their first tank of gas with the Tornado went a long way, but after a while it dropped back down. How can this happen? Its the right foot.

When gas prices jump, everyone is easy on the gas. Mileage is on your mind every time you pull away from a stoplight, the same happens when you install the Tornado. The first few days you are easy on the gas, improving your mileage, after a week or so you get back to your normal driving habits and your old gas mileage.

More reviews on amazon.com can be read here (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/r...ive=9325&path=tg/detail/-/B00078XING?v=glance)

On John Matarese's "Don't Waste Your Money" website, he found the Tornado Fuel Saver to offer no more than 1% increase. Read about it here (http://www.wcpo.com/external/dwym/c3b519.html).

Click this link to search google for more information on the Tornado Fuel Saver ("tornado fuel saver" - Google Search VLC%3A663399%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3 A336699%3BALC%3A0000FF%3BLC%3A0000FF%3BT%3A000000% 3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BFORID%3A1%3B&hl=en).

View this site to read more about turbulence devices such as the tornado (Fuel saving gadgets - a professional engineer's view).

The bottom line is that if such a simple device really worked, it would come pre-installed on all vehicles from the manufacturer. If you insist on spending this money on your vehicle, you would be much better off getting new tires or perhaps buying a bicycle to use instead of your car.

 

[CMC]

I'm thinking I'm going to get some NGK spark plugs and new wires, some new belts, a new air filter, a new fuel filter, and a new PCV valve. Any other suggestions?

 

[icdawg]

I have a 1995 Toyota 4Runner with stock wheels and tires and I am planning on upgrading my tires within the couple of months to General Tire GRABBER AT2 31X10.50R15 109S OWL. First off, is this going to lower my gas mileage at all? and secondly, what is every way, or most ways (preferably cheapest) to get better gas mileage? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm getting about 15mpg with AT tires.

 

[Bronze Johnson]

I was getting horrendous gas mileage recently as I just bought mine. It replaced a 95 Civic EX, so you can imagine my dismay at getting about a quarter of the mileage. 8-10 vs 30 MPG. MY best advice would be to make sure your transmission is getting into the highest gear, as mine would not. The best way to do this... be very light on the gas haha. Once you get close to speed just barely touch the pedal and it should kick up into the higher gear. You should be around 2000 RPM at highway speed vs 2700 - 3K. Big difference in fuel consumption at least in my experience.

 

[niteman]

Wow Bronze Johnson, sounds like we have very similar stories here. I too just got my 4runner and also came from a civic (5spd 2003). Yeah, the gas mileage sucks in comparison but everything else about the switch is completely positive, I so far have been getting around 17mpg. (I drive like a grandpa lol)

 

[Thurlo76]

back to the first post.... i got general grabbers only mine are 33x12.5x15 and i did loose 2 mpgs... they are heavy ass tires for some reason but they are wonderful! snow, ice, mud, dirt roads they are awsome good luck

 

[angieross269]

I'm getting ready to do a complete tune up in my 95 V6, hopefully it helps out with the MPG's.....

 

[Bronze Johnson]

Ha yea mine was 5 spd too. But yea totally agree. It's been a major adjustment, but I too now drive like I'm 75. I barely go the speed limit, but I swear every bank of snow is calling my name now.

It's saying just put it in 4Lo...

I'm still barely getting 15 MPG now if that, and I switched from the 31x10.50 to a smaller cooper discover tire it's like 235/75 r15 or something. I need to put new oil and plugs in but it's so cold here I can't stand being out there for more than 10 minutes before my hands turn to bricks.

 

[jimwww]

500km out of 60 liters here - Vancouver

I have new NGK plugs, 31 x 10.5, new air filter, new spark plug wires, 5spd and 80 percent of my driving is hwy

 

[csrobb007]

I first got invlolved with this forum looking for mileage improvements that others had gotten through various modifications...mine over time had gotten to the anal point...I've tried everything, with an average of low 20's.
My conclusion after years of building V-8's of various sizes, and then applying the basics to the V-6 is this...don't complicate it, and keep things simple.
Personally, I did everything to the truck to improve it's ability to pump air, and keep it cool. I started with a used truck, and 17 to the gallon...I've gotten no more improvement after mid-20's to the gallon, and figure that any more messing around with it is probably futile.
Tornado's are a joke (to anyone other than the salesman)...don't bother. Think about the engine as I said..."an air pump"...free up the exhaust, intake, so on. Pressure in the tires, locking up the trans (if it's an auto), synthetic lubes, so on. But the biggest increase I got was when I drove it smooth and easy.
Search the archives...plenty of info here.

 

[utkan]

My trucks old owner had tornado installed. I laughed at it and removed it. I had no diffidence in mpg's after that. I learned best way to save gas do your tune up. Drive calm and carry as little of stuff in your truck possible.

 

[BucknutBob]

Want an interesting story regarding fuel mileage? I have a '95 with the 3.slow V6, 5-spd, and was driving I-70 across the Rockies, a brutal drive for that wimpy engine. I had never seen better than 18 mpg hwy before that trip. While thrashing the poor thing to maintain speed on some of those monster climbs (we're talking 3rd gear, 4500rpm, 50+ mph), I actually jumped all the way to over 21 mpg!! This was repeated after filling up and going again--no fluke. Blowing out carbon build-up? Who knows. All I know is it got its best results during the most brutal treatment I ever gave it. Weird.

Agreed on the Tornado (toss it), and any other gimmicks. Clean filters, good spark, less internal friction--those are proven.

 

[jimwww]

Carbon for sure

If you have been shifting below 3g and if you have been driving only city - these engines like to rev - so should go to 4 thou every once and a while to burn out the carbon.

Always plan your trips farthest in the day first and work your way back to home. Most people do that in reverse and it is not good for your engine or exhaust.

 

[BucknutBob]

This truck sees it all

If you have been shifting below 3g and if you have been driving only city - these engines like to rev - so should go to 4 thou every once and a while to burn out the carbon.

Always plan your trips farthest in the day first and work your way back to home. Most people do that in reverse and it is not good for your engine or exhaust.

Good points, Jim! Only thing is, this truck sees plenty of highway driving, using all the gears, and I don't baby it--when I want acceleration, I hammer it as needed. It just struck me as funny (and odd) getting my best mileage while "killing" it! By the way, this is my primary 'Runner--the "other" one is getting the V8. :frog:

 

[jimwww]

I saw no difference

My mileage did not change when I upgraded my tires from stock fyi.