i am REALLY glad to hear that, since i'm eyeing the 2005 or 06 v6, surely the 5-speed will do no worse than the 2003 v6 with a 4-speed??? if i can average just 21 miles overall, i know i can keep that truck for the next 10 years, in regard to fuel prices. if i drive 12000 miles a year, a honda accord that averages 25 miles a gallon would only save me what, 300 to 400 bucks a year? that's 30 dollars a month? they sure add up, but it's worth the few dollars to drive a qulity and practical vehicle i enjoy.
Better gas mileage
- Thread starter TeryT
- Start date
Steps to 20mpg+ fuel consumption on V8
1 Remove 4Runner and V8 badges from existing truck
2 Purchase Toyota Prius
3 Attempt to install lift on Prius
4 Attach badges to Prius in lame hope it might fool somebody
5 Purchase very dark glasses for your friends to view it through when they come round for a look
1 Remove 4Runner and V8 badges from existing truck
2 Purchase Toyota Prius
3 Attempt to install lift on Prius
4 Attach badges to Prius in lame hope it might fool somebody
5 Purchase very dark glasses for your friends to view it through when they come round for a look
MicaBlue03
Member
Even if you are gentle on acceleration/deceleration, things like hills and stoplights/signs can really knock your mileage down on a heavy vehicle like this. Same goes for speeds over the 70-75 MPH range. I think that's one reason that some people really can achieve 24-25 MPG (real, not trip computer) on the highway.
I read today in Reuters that AAA now calculates the national average for a gallon of regular to have gone back above $2/gallon. I can believe it, as I just paid $2.35/gallon yesterday for Chevron premium.
Gas mileage was a minor consideration in my decision to buy a V6, since it was only a 10% improvement over the V8. But I was keeping in mind the actual cost of gas, adjusted (approximately) for inflation. Here are some recent figures (in today's prices) for an average of all fuel grades:
1964: $1.83
1974: $1.99
1981: $2.83
1990: $1.61
2000: $1.61
2004: $2.04 (prob. early January)
So we aren't paying as much in real terms as we were in the early '80s, even with the price rise in the past couple of months--maybe it's $2.25 now.
But recall the vehicle situation in the early '80s. A used Nissan 310 might sell for as much as a used Cadillac, and would sell much more easily. Toyota's main engine for things like the pickups (and quite a few cars) was the 2.4L 22R, and a 2WD pickup probably got 27MPG on the highway. My Celica with the 22R would get over 30 MPG on the highway.
If we see $3/gallon gas, some of the big pickups and SUVs will see $100 fill-ups. We might indeed see some significant effects on new vehicle sales. And if gas lines return, we'll see even bigger ones, though I don't think lines are very likely.
As for synthetic oil, my previous experience was that it was a significant help if you drive much in cold temps and change the fluid in your diffs and transfer case. Maybe not much help if used in the engine, though.
Finally, (sorry about the overlong post) I run 36 PSI in my (OEM Bridgestone) tires and like it as a compromise. Ride is not harsh, and it improves MPG and handling a little. I suspect it improves wear slightly, but I don't care about that.
I read today in Reuters that AAA now calculates the national average for a gallon of regular to have gone back above $2/gallon. I can believe it, as I just paid $2.35/gallon yesterday for Chevron premium.
Gas mileage was a minor consideration in my decision to buy a V6, since it was only a 10% improvement over the V8. But I was keeping in mind the actual cost of gas, adjusted (approximately) for inflation. Here are some recent figures (in today's prices) for an average of all fuel grades:
1964: $1.83
1974: $1.99
1981: $2.83
1990: $1.61
2000: $1.61
2004: $2.04 (prob. early January)
So we aren't paying as much in real terms as we were in the early '80s, even with the price rise in the past couple of months--maybe it's $2.25 now.
But recall the vehicle situation in the early '80s. A used Nissan 310 might sell for as much as a used Cadillac, and would sell much more easily. Toyota's main engine for things like the pickups (and quite a few cars) was the 2.4L 22R, and a 2WD pickup probably got 27MPG on the highway. My Celica with the 22R would get over 30 MPG on the highway.
If we see $3/gallon gas, some of the big pickups and SUVs will see $100 fill-ups. We might indeed see some significant effects on new vehicle sales. And if gas lines return, we'll see even bigger ones, though I don't think lines are very likely.
As for synthetic oil, my previous experience was that it was a significant help if you drive much in cold temps and change the fluid in your diffs and transfer case. Maybe not much help if used in the engine, though.
Finally, (sorry about the overlong post) I run 36 PSI in my (OEM Bridgestone) tires and like it as a compromise. Ride is not harsh, and it improves MPG and handling a little. I suspect it improves wear slightly, but I don't care about that.
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Koz
New member
I don't know what gains (if any) you will get changing from dino to synthetics but I will be experimenting with this very soon. As soon as the weather breaks I will be making this change. Before I do this, I will establish a base line MPG with dino, then duplicate the procedure and see if there is a gain. I will post all the details.
Koz
Koz
If you baseline now and the weather is very cold, bear in mind that you will see an improvement in mileage regardless of oil as the weather warms up - we had a warm spell here for a couple of days recently and suddenly my mileage improved just because of reduced warm up times.
Duc Hunter
New member
I was looking at the stock exhaust while under the car playing with my camber and noticed that it is pretty straight, except for the y-pipe. That thing looks REALLY restrictive from the outside. I wonder if making a new pipe from each header to the single exhaust might help. Headers use to really help V8 pickups etc because the stock manifolds were so restrictive. Also, maybe removing all those big resonators might help.
I also agree that a few mpg helps the wallet everyday but is really not that big a change. Setting the cruise at 65 instead of driving manual at 70-80 makes a HUGE difference for my V8.
I also agree that a few mpg helps the wallet everyday but is really not that big a change. Setting the cruise at 65 instead of driving manual at 70-80 makes a HUGE difference for my V8.
I have a 75 mile/one-way comute and using cruise-control at 65 mph, windows shut, good weather, synthetic everything, 35psi Michelin CT's, I can get 23/24 mpg (calculated not the computer) if I play a game...don't touch the brake pedal, except to avoid a crash. Look ahead, way ahead and don't use that damn pedal. When I gas after three trips, 450 miles the computer says 499. When I drive like a person I get 18/20 mpg.
chillwihll
New member
MSD ignition
I was thinking more along the lines of an ignition system to improve mileage. You can even squeeze out a little bit of power while you're at it. Because instead of each sparkplug firing once, you get a series of firings to make sure that all the fuel is spent. I wonder if they make ignition systems for the 4th gen yet.
I was thinking more along the lines of an ignition system to improve mileage. You can even squeeze out a little bit of power while you're at it. Because instead of each sparkplug firing once, you get a series of firings to make sure that all the fuel is spent. I wonder if they make ignition systems for the 4th gen yet.
iFORCE
New member
You guys/gurls are all driving like old grannies. Your not even ENJOYING the drive.. you're so worried about mpg and gas consumption. If you were so concerned about gas consumption... why did you buy a SUV. For those people that have the V8... come on!
Instead of a 20mpg, you'd get 19. You'd get an extra 23 miles per tank. Is it really worth that much to you?
Instead of a 20mpg, you'd get 19. You'd get an extra 23 miles per tank. Is it really worth that much to you?
iFORCE
New member
Re: Real Men Save Gas (& the Environment), eh!? LOL
hehe... if you were a real man... you'd drive an PRIUS.
Up here in Canada, we use the oil from the animal blubber... cheaper that way.
on the other hand.. I do care about using gas.. just not to the point where I need to change the way I drive nor constantly recalculate my gas consumption ratios. That is another reason why I put premium fuel in and not the regular... Its won't save me that much money a year so why not!
There are many many ways to save money. One way of saving money is to.... drink less beer.
TeryT said:
hehe... if you were a real man... you'd drive an PRIUS.
Up here in Canada, we use the oil from the animal blubber... cheaper that way.on the other hand.. I do care about using gas.. just not to the point where I need to change the way I drive nor constantly recalculate my gas consumption ratios. That is another reason why I put premium fuel in and not the regular... Its won't save me that much money a year so why not!
There are many many ways to save money. One way of saving money is to.... drink less beer.
