I "fixed" my poor fuel economy
- Thread starter A.Wilson013
- Start date
A.Wilson013
New member
Indeed it does.
trovergraywilson
New member
Defrost function engages AC a lot of the time bc the output air is dryer when air-conditioned, thus clears any interior fogging. My 2002 with computer climate control doesn't engage AC when the defrost button is pushed. Cold enough here that, if you crank it to max heat, crack the windows, and wait a minute, it can clear ice crystals off the inside windshield. Actually a great article about this stuff on... umm... Jalopnik? Gizmodo? One of the time-sapping things I read on Facebook in between patients @ work.
Goes to show my ignorance. I had just assumed it's like the cabin heat. A fan that blows warm coolant or something like the heater core.
BlackWorksInc
New member
3rd Gens use a transmission mounted VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) if I recall correctly. It looks like a 2-wire unit that probably gets a 5v reference from the Combination meter and outputs a hertz wave back to the combination meter. If that is the case, you could theoretically use a product like a Speedohealer to off-set the hertz signal to correct it.
It's something that's done for J120/J150 (i.e. 4th & 5th Gen 4Runners, FJ Cruisers, Tacomas, ect.); but in our case we have a single VSS input from the Skid Control ECU (still a hertz signal that is offset.)
oesterj1195
New member
I have a 4th gen and get around 19 MPG. Is there a certain gen/engine that gets the best gas mileage?
Unner
New member
Yup, runs the AC so you aren't blowing humid air across the windows. I try and not run mine unless I have to. I wish I got that gas mileage... I got 16.9 my last trip, nothing over 70 mph, fairly flat, and I have smaller tires than you. Plus new plugs and O2 sensors. Good thing gas is cheap down here.
BlackWorksInc
New member
Well first off this is the 3rd gen section... second, and I mean this as nice as I possibly can... if gas mileage is an issue to in a SUV, then you need to consider a Prius or CUV. If you're getting 19mpg hand calculated out of your 4th gen, you're doing better than most on the 4th gen forum.
diverscale
Member
You put bigger aggressive tires, a roof rack, lights, sliders, aftermarket skid plates, well anything that adds weight and drag, then hope to get a better fuel economy?
You could always get back to stock, I've got 21 MPG on my last road trip, going 75MPH.
HaYnrunner
New member
I have a 99 stock height with electric fan conversion, k&n drop in filter, straight thru glass pack muffler and before the axle turn down, I can get around 23-25 highway 19 city with ac on 24/7 on 91 octane, but if I go 87 it drops to 16 city 19 hwy.
Brilliant
New member
25 huh, whats the mileage when not going downhill?
A.Wilson013
New member
Heard it first here, gents. Premium nets a 30% increase in fuel economy. No wonder it costs more. :doh:
D Farms
New member
somehow on the trip to and from your house i managed 20 mpg haha, you get the best mpg as 1500 rpm with the transmission in overdrive and torque converter locked. so depending on gearing and tires that can be different speeds, for me with 35s and 4.30s thats about exactly 50mph.
with 33s that would be about 47 and with stock size it would be about 44 mph. the problem for me is there arent very many streets with a 45 or 50 mph limit so when im in the city the torque converter never locks up and the mileage is bad. it would be fine in a manual though, espescially with the lower overdrive ratio.
with 33s that would be about 47 and with stock size it would be about 44 mph. the problem for me is there arent very many streets with a 45 or 50 mph limit so when im in the city the torque converter never locks up and the mileage is bad. it would be fine in a manual though, espescially with the lower overdrive ratio.
oesterj1195
New member
Sorry to stomp into 3rd gen forum. I moved from commuting with a Toyota Solara (30+ mpg) to a 4Runner so it's an adjustment for me. The 19 is hand calculated and I guess I will be happy with it.
BlackWorksInc
New member
No worries, I was pointing it out that you'd get more help if you posted in the right sub-forum.
Welcome to the forum.
I have a 97, can confirm.
nc-grayson
Member
I guess these are things about the 4Runner I'd never learn if I didn't drive where it was wet and muggy 24/7
BirdieKing
New member
I don't run my A/C or defrost and I only manage 13 tops, seriously 13 MPG MAX. That is with 33's, TR's, and 4.88's. I am at 6,000 feet, I am sure that plays into it, but I would be ecstatic with 16.5!
I get 13 at roughly sea level... I'm supercharged, but damn it's annoying. I'm also on stock tires. No idea how to improve it..
