I have a 2004 Toyota 4-Runner with 139,000+ miles. It has been a great vehicle, but over the past six months I have noticed that the MPG has dropped from about 22MPG to around 18MPG. It also feels like it is taking more power to go. I checked the trans fluid and it looks clean. I also checked to see if maybe a brake caliper was stuck, but it wasn't. I put a set of spark plugs in, but no change. Just wondering if the lower MPG and the reduced power were related. Tough to describe, because otherwise it runs/drives well. Any thoughts?
Looking for feedback on MPG/power
- Thread starter OBX2009
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
eskimochaos
Banned
OBX2009 said:
Did you check the air filter, throttle body, MAF sensor?
eskimochaos
Banned
OBX2009 said:
Possibly.
drmorbius
New member
You might try taking the battery terminal off for about 15 minutes and then re-connect. This would let the engine and trans relearn your driving habits. As others have said replace the air filter. Beyond that get a compression check to see if it is getting tired.OBX2009 said:
This may sound stupid but is the emergency brake off?
Last edited:
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
I agree with all of the above suggestions...
One thing that bothers me about Toyota is they have solid lifters for the valves and have no interval for inspecting the valve lash. Nissan makes some good, very similar design engines and recommends 110-120k lash inspection IIRC. If all the other suggestions don't "get it back to right" I might check the lash. Too tight will hurt perf, mpg etc but not make any noise.
What kind of plugs? Bosch? That'll do it too IMHO.
One thing that bothers me about Toyota is they have solid lifters for the valves and have no interval for inspecting the valve lash. Nissan makes some good, very similar design engines and recommends 110-120k lash inspection IIRC. If all the other suggestions don't "get it back to right" I might check the lash. Too tight will hurt perf, mpg etc but not make any noise.
What kind of plugs? Bosch? That'll do it too IMHO.
I've been looking at my gas mileage with my 04 V8 sport and when i do the math for it I have never gotten above 15.9 even driving it easy with mostly combination driving. When I got that 15.9 my MPG calculator on the dash said 18.3 for that tank. What is throwing it off by so much? Possibly a K&N filter without resetting the ECU, low tire pressure, anybody?
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
endosj3 said:
Marginal design. Most report around 12-15% error, some as high as 20% and occasionally someone will claim it's spot on. I think driving style, cycle time and length of time between pushing 'reset' all play into it. The final thing is that it's just calibrated a little bit wrong.
:cheers:
Ducman
New member
Or
Pull your hydrocarbon filter if you have not already.
I'm sorry but any fuel that thing prevents from evaporating, it has to be costing you in efficiency and a net loss of MPG.
I picked up a solid 1 MPG highway by removing that stupid thing.
Also, make sure your tires are properly inflated.
Pull your hydrocarbon filter if you have not already.
I'm sorry but any fuel that thing prevents from evaporating, it has to be costing you in efficiency and a net loss of MPG.
I picked up a solid 1 MPG highway by removing that stupid thing.
Also, make sure your tires are properly inflated.
eskimochaos
Banned
Re: Or
My mom's 04 land cruiser with the EXACT same V8 doesnt have it.
Go figure unless silly environmental whack jobs passed a new law to save trees.
Ducman said:
My mom's 04 land cruiser with the EXACT same V8 doesnt have it.
Go figure unless silly environmental whack jobs passed a new law to save trees.
Ducman
New member
Easy
Right next to your air filter. I removed the hose from the airbox top so I could completely remove the lid.
Set it on a bench and take a razor blade and cut off the plastic rivot-like fasteners that hold the worthless thing on and remove it.
Then use compressed air or something to make sure its clean and free of any random pieces of plastic, reinstall and enjoy the free power.
OBX2009 said:
Right next to your air filter. I removed the hose from the airbox top so I could completely remove the lid.
Set it on a bench and take a razor blade and cut off the plastic rivot-like fasteners that hold the worthless thing on and remove it.
Then use compressed air or something to make sure its clean and free of any random pieces of plastic, reinstall and enjoy the free power.
