Better MPG for a 03 V8 4runner

[AuSeeker]

900 miles one way? You need to move first of all. And if you wanted fuel efficiency the 4runner is not it. Although, if you consider its typically less than 15k to get into one, its actually quite an efficient vehicle. You'll need to put close to nothing in it except for consumables and it will go well past 300k with basic good care. You need to think and look big picture - the 4th gen 4runner is great value for money. That, plus gas is not that expensive these days.

These posts crack me up, you figure the 4runner would be a more fuel efficient vehicle, knowing up front the mpg that it gets. Maybe 1 or 2 mpg better than your Ford, but don't expect miracles from a body on frame SUV. Don't EVER buy or sell a car for fuel efficiency, there's much more to a car purchase than that.

Sounds like you should have bought a civic :cheer2:

Why berate someone for asking honest questions and seeking help, if what you wrote above is all you can contribute, if that what you think you were doing, I say don't!!!

Responses like yours are the reason people do not join forums and / or leave after they do. I thins if you had read my post, you would have understood that I was not wanting miracles. Was wanting better than the vehicle I drove previously. I guess either reading or comprehension is an issue here. Now, working in the oilfield as a consultant, I work all over. So moving is not going to happen. Back to my OP: I was only asking how to get better mileage out of my used 4 runner than I am currently getting, and better than my ford. Which a 4 runner new or used should eaaily do. No miracles. No pixie dust. No unreal expectations. Just a novice asking experts what to check and do. Not asking smart ass' to opine jackass remarks.

OT, ignore such comments it's not worth you fretting about his comment!!

I too thought "...900 miles one way..." WOW, but then I also know that some work involves a lot of travel and who am I to say you are wrong for driving so much for a job, you know better than anyone if it's worth the commute!!

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Buying a 10 year old BOF SUV for efficiency...hmmm.

 

[AuSeeker]

Buying a 10 year old BOF SUV for efficiency...hmmm.

No you bought the 10 year old BOF SUV, his is 14 years old.

And as he stated he bought it for bit better gas mileage, which a 4Runner should be, but unfortunately his isn't but very well should be, the reason he's seeking help here, you're not helping.

 

[Oilfield Trash]

No you bought the 10 year old BOF SUV, his is 14 years old.

And as he stated he bought it for bit better gas mileage, which a 4Runner should be, but unfortunately his isn't but very well should be, the reason he's seeking help here, you're not helping.

People like him never help. People like him are the reasons for sayings such as Blue Falcon. Anyway. Thanks to all who had constructive responses.

 

[BrandonF]

Sure, Dexter Morgan's comment could have been said in a more constructive way, but he brings up a very good point in terms of the cost of gas vs the total ownership cost of a vehicle. When you consider the initial cost of the vehicle, depreciation, insurance and maintenance, the fuel efficiency becomes a lot less of a big deal.

I always shake my head when people own a vehicle, yet don't want to drive anywhere because they want to save money on gas. They're already paying for all of the other factors of vehicle ownership, so it seems foolish to significantly limit the convenience that a vehicle provides to save a few bucks on gas. I'm currently looking to replace my 3rd gen 4R with a GX470 so I've done quite a bit of research and would agree that the overall cost of ownership of these vehicles is very reasonable, especially for what you're getting.


I realize that this is getting off of the original topic. 11-12mpg is low and something could be wrong/ in need of a tune up. That being said, you shouldn't base your mpg on a single day of commuting (I assume you mean 90miles each way). Burn through at least a few tanks of gas and carefully record the miles vs. fill up sizes before you say youre getting 11-12 mpg.

 

[Oilfield Trash]

Again. Thanks to all who had helpful responses. I appreciate it. Mods, please close this post / thread. We are done here.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Again. Thanks to all who had helpful responses. I appreciate it. Mods, please close this post / thread. We are done here.

You didn't answer my question before regarding what mods does the vehicle have, how are you calculating fuel mileage, what fuel are you using, also what size tires/load rating are you running? If you want the thread closed that's fine, [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] but we can still try and narrow down some variables here.

 

[1engineer]

Again. Thanks to all who had helpful responses. I appreciate it. Mods, please close this post / thread. We are done here.

Answer the questions and maybe they can help man. They want to know how you are calculations first of all. You wouldn't believe how many don't do it correctly. Next they want tire size. Why? Because you have to take the different circumference into account. You might be getting better than you think if you take larger tire diameter into account.
Lastly, when you post in a public forum you will always get good and bad comments. Ignore the bad, listen to the good.

 

[fayewong]

Again. Thanks to all who had helpful responses. I appreciate it. Mods, please close this post / thread. We are done here.

you should do a full tune up, clean throttle body, change front , rear, and Xfer case differential oils. make sure brakes are working with good rotors and calipers (converted to new 5th gen front rotors and calipers). Grease the driveshafts. Remove the air filter HFG or whatever it was, put in the washable K&N filter

I went easily from 13 MPG to 15 MPG.

Next up, changing the transmission fluid and engine oil since the 5K is almost up. Hoping to get to 16 MPG.

FYI, if you are carrying heavy equipment or towing something then common sense is that it will lower your MPG.

 

[banilla16]

What size are your tires, what wheels are you running, does it have a lift, and how are you calculating your fuel mileage?



11~13mpg sounds a bit low... I'm pulling about 11~12mpg on mine with 35's and mods.



Stock should be getting around 14~16 around town depending, probably about 16~18 freeway.



Post Note-



How much of that corn crap are you guys using in Arkansas? The ethanol stuff is crap fuel for mileage.

Oh no, I'm moving from north of Pittsburg to Arkansas in June. We already get ethanol crab fuel.

 

[mastee]

I bought my 04 V8 two months ago, and for the longest time the mpg was stuck at 15.5mpg then I disconnected the battery and it started working again.

We drove like 250 miles yesterday, 40% city 60% freeway with an extended rola rack and cooper discovery and best I got per trip meter was 21.2mpg at app 60-65 mph, btw I drove a civic hybrid for a full year and that helps with the driving habits if mpg is of concern

 

[Keros]

If you've got aftermarket exhaust that could definitely be cutting you back. My 03 v8 4wd dropped from about 16 around town to 12 after putting a Flowmaster on.

Is this a common issue with the 2UZ-FE?

Does not seem logical unless the O2 sensor system got screwed up.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Is this a common issue with the 2UZ-FE?

Does not seem logical unless the O2 sensor system got screwed up.

Um, no its not. And don't believe anyone who tells you their gas mileage dropped 25% from installing an aftermarket muffler. That just isn't true.

 

[Inv4drZm]

So many questions and inaccurate measurements,
So little answers.

 

[TheFauxFox]

I'm still in the same boat. I consistently get 12.2-12.6 MPG with all suburban driving and around 20-22mpg on the highway... And I don't spend all that much time accelerating hard or waiting at stoplights during my city drives... And on top of that I've got a V6!

 

[vandert]

I'm on 3" of lift, 285's, 2003 Auto 4wd do mixed driving and get aroudn 17.9 hand calculated, I get this with Premium only, with 87 octane I go all the way down to 14.9/15.1 mpg.

I run 75ish on interestate, 45 with lots of stops in the city. I live in florida though and don't get affected by the Winter blend as much as some do up north. I know when I lived northern I could see a 2mpg swing between winter gas nad summer gas!

I haven't even done plugs yet but have them sitting there, I have my tires around 38-40 psi for daily and better mileage. I have an aftermarket muffler welded in, and a turnout behind the tire so can run with the rear window down. Ialso have K&N and hydrocarbon filter removed.

 

[TheThunderRunner]

Um, no its not. And don't believe anyone who tells you their gas mileage dropped 25% from installing an aftermarket muffler. That just isn't true.

Yeah well it did. I hand took measurements before and after. Driving style didn't change, if anything I started to cut back and drive more conservatively. Only change was swapping out the exhaust. The engine has to work harder to get low end power. I'm not the only one this has happened to either.

Note that this happened well before I made any other modifications to my car. I was basically stock at that point.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I get 13mpg hand calculated, with winter gas, 285 70 17s, a heavy foot, 300lbs of armor, full 3" lift front and rear, aftermarket exhaust, cat delete, hcf delete, and a mix of city and interstate driving. And thats without mileage compensating for the taller tires so it would technically be more than 13. 2005 VVTI V8.

 

[Dgriggs]

My apologies. You'll have to explain. I am a complete dumbass with regards to mechanical. So I ask questions.

I had this issue. My front right caliper froze. You will hear a sequel a little similar to bad bearings but the real way to tell is heat. If the caliper is frozen you will feel a huge about of heat radiating from the break assembly. You dont need to touch it. You feel it just getting close.

 

[Dgriggs]

What size are your tires, what wheels are you running, does it have a lift, and how are you calculating your fuel mileage?

11~13mpg sounds a bit low... I'm pulling about 11~12mpg on mine with 35's and mods.

Stock should be getting around 14~16 around town depending, probably about 16~18 freeway.

Post Note-

How much of that corn crap are you guys using in Arkansas? The ethanol stuff is crap fuel for mileage.

Oh man, I just had a brain wave. I have been forgetting to account for my over sized tires in my MPG calculations. I have a '08 V8 with LT285/70R17 (33" diameter, 103.62" circumference) tires. The odometer is tuned to the OEM 265/65R17 (30.56" diameter, 95.9584" circumference) tires. 103.62"/95.9584" = 1.079843. So my Odometer * 1.079843 / Gallons = my MPG. Duh! Cant believe I forgot. So this means I am actually getting 17.2MPG on the highway. Not bad considering I have a V8 with 33" tires, a 2" lift, and roof rack. The truck has an EGR valve delete and a K & N filter. Question, has anyone seen a marked improvement using the full K & N cold air intake (filter in engine compartment)? I had this on my old '94 pickup and got a point or two. But it was really bad for driving in the mud. I am not enthusiastic about the way a snorkel looks but still want to know if there is a MPG increase.