ECT: Power setting affect on gas milage

[Ray.Klefstad]

I love driving my 4WD 2000 6 cyl automatic with the ECT tranny (power setting) on as it responds like a sports car.

I wondered what cost it had on my gas milage. Well I drove an entire tankful of gas with ECT off (normal) and got 2MPG better. I mostly drove freeway miles and didn't expect it to make such a big difference on the freeway. I do run the AC almost all the time both ways. I'm betting turning off the AC will help milage even more.

I got 17 MPG with ECT POWER and 19 MPG without it.

Ray

 

[LINY4Runner]

I did testing on this subject a few months back...it's interesting, check it out
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=49441

 

[Ray.Klefstad]

I did testing on this subject a few months back...it's interesting, check it out
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=49441

Are you really only getting 12 MPG? Is it just due to the larger tires?

Actually, I was pretty said I was only getting 17, but 19 with ECT: Normal is pretty good for a heavy four wheel drive truck.

My 1972 Chevy 3/4 ton truck with a 350 V8 gets almost 12 mpg.

Ray

 

[004Gunner]

My fuel economy has stayed right around the same and sometimes a little better with ECT on. It seems like the ECT takes the wasteful lag out of acceleration. I still need to do more driving with it on all the time and I want to dim the indicator light for it.

 

[LINY4Runner]

Are you really only getting 12 MPG? Is it just due to the larger tires?

Actually, I was pretty said I was only getting 17, but 19 with ECT: Normal is pretty good for a heavy four wheel drive truck.

My 1972 Chevy 3/4 ton truck with a 350 V8 gets almost 12 mpg.

Ray

Yeah, man...the 5VZ is underpowered to begin with, but four 33" tires are heavy...I would say between 80-100lbs each

 

[LINY4Runner]

I just think it should have a little more than 180hp to move a 5000 pound truck...and plus with all the stuff we add to ours, it really slows her down

 

[RonMAIDEN]

A 3rd gen weighs in at 4000lbs but 183hp is still a little weak when pulling our mountain passes trying to stay over 60mph but go drive a 3.0 4Runner and you won't complain much but also avoid driving a 4th gen V6 since that 50 more ponies would be nice in our 3rd gens.
Overall around town I never have issues and it accelerates decent on the on ramps and has no problems breaking the speed limit so I really don't have any complaints over the lack of ponies.

 

[Pikeman]

I agree with RonMaiden.. stock our trucks are listed at 3850 and could use a little more pwer but does the job. I drove the 3.slow and 3rd gen is a big improvement. When I made my tire carrier I weighed my 285 NTG on the Ivans and it was 81lbs. I think a regear is better to return mileage and a little power. I also think i have the 3.91s and cant wait for the improvment.

 

[MrWhite96]

I have been driving 4Runners since 1999: both 2nd and 3rd gens. I never used the ECT in my '96 SR5 or my '01 Limited until a few years ago.

It seems to increase my mpg by a few mpg, especially in the '96 (currently 250K on the odo). But I live in the mountains at ~4000 feet, so the altitude might be a factor.

I never use ECT in the '95 SR5. It feels too scary to have the 3.slow actually pick up when you accelerate.

 

[LINY4Runner]

Well maybe it's me...I've never owned a car slower than 13-seconds, so to me the 4Runner on 33's is pretty damn slow

 

[JohnsD90]

Well maybe it's me...I've never owned a car slower than 13-seconds, so to me the 4Runner on 33's is pretty damn slow

i would get about 16 in the defender, but i never beat on it to accelerate. 31's. its supposed to get 12.5