Mileage Update

[abigpicture]

Headed back to Erie PA for a few days..

last trip( HWY) was 27.53 MPG on the way and
28.03 MPG on the return....using 93 octane with aproximately
10% ethanol...(BOO HISS) + my additives

Different this trip.

I changed my tires to new BRidgestone Alenzas 265-75-16(one-size larger and I inflated to 42 (max is 44)

I am going to fill up with LUKoil 87 octane

(then add 2 oz acetone 1 oz Xylene and 1 0z Torco GP-7 for each ten gallons I put in the tank..) this is the same as last trip

route will be the exact same and speed will be approx 60 MPH
the whole way..

more good news my last around town check yeilded

20.73 MPG this is with 10% acetone and Wash D.C. traffic...
THat may be the best I'll ever get in the city....but I am going to keep trying...I may have my plugs and wires changed for the
trip back.....and my auto trans fluid replaced...

Regards,
JOHN

 

[boston_kevin]

I will be interested to hear your results. Like Road, so far, I have experienced good results with the V6 engine in the stock form. I am averaging over 20 mpg with 30k miles on the truck. The best I got was just over 25 mpg, the worst (when I wasn't towing) was 17.5 mpg (towing was around 13-14 mpg) - all this on a 2004 4spd V6 4Runner 4x4.

I am somewhat skeptical about the smartgas.net recommendations simply because they don't take into account the myriad of different conditions that would affect the truck (not the least of which is the quality of gasoline). Several people have reported in the past (in snopes) that the acetone may have caused damage, others reported they got great results, and even more have reported no difference. Granted there are things that the big auto makers don't want you to know (or do) because it affects their bottom line. We also assume that the auto makers and the oil companies (refineries mostly) have some working relationship to make sure each other's profits never shrink.

Keep up the good work testing!

 

[abigpicture]

I hear you BOston...when others tried this exercise..do you remember how far back it was? LAST MONTH....last year.. Last 5 years?or more??

I;m less skeptical than when I started my exercise...but warming up.....apparently even my 96 V6 has some factory settings that need to be cleared or overrided....this is the signal from the O2 sensor which is making my fuel mixture a little too rich..this will cost me about $100 to fix....

WHAT YEAR is your 4 runner? your mileage is good for factory settings.....

I will be interested to hear your results. Like Road, so far, I have experienced good results with the V6 engine in the stock form. I am averaging over 20 mpg with 30k miles on the truck. The best I got was just over 25 mpg, the worst (when I wasn't towing) was 17.5 mpg (towing was around 13-14 mpg) - all this on a 2004 4spd V6 4Runner 4x4.

I am somewhat skeptical about the smartgas.net recommendations simply because they don't take into account the myriad of different conditions that would affect the truck (not the least of which is the quality of gasoline). Several people have reported in the past (in snopes) that the acetone may have caused damage, others reported they got great results, and even more have reported no difference. Granted there are things that the big auto makers don't want you to know (or do) because it affects their bottom line. We also assume that the auto makers and the oil companies (refineries mostly) have some working relationship to make sure each other's profits never shrink.

Keep up the good work testing!

 

[boston_kevin]

Mine's an '04. I still have the 4spd, but I have found that the V6 and the 4spd seem to have a couple of "sweet spots". 68-70 mpg is the top end sweet spot (This usually allows for about 23-24 mpg). The second sweet spot is around 43-45 mph, this one gets me 25+ mpg. The times I have been going this slow are usually during the fall during the foliage season up here in New England. No matter what, it seems like the mileage is also very dependent on the environmental conditions as well. Colder air is good to a point, warmer air s good to a point. I guess that is to be expected when dealing with the density effect. Keep us posted on your findings!

 

[abigpicture]

Mine's an '04. I still have the 4spd, but I have found that the V6 and the 4spd seem to have a couple of "sweet spots". 68-70 mpg is the top end sweet spot (This usually allows for about 23-24 mpg). The second sweet spot is around 43-45 mph, this one gets me 25+ mpg. The times I have been going this slow are usually during the fall during the foliage season up here in New England. No matter what, it seems like the mileage is also very dependent on the environmental conditions as well. Colder air is good to a point, warmer air s good to a point. I guess that is to be expected when dealing with the density effect. Keep us posted on your findings!

FIrst time I put 87 octane in the truck in months..and months...
anyway the results are not good...

today to Erie pa.... 23.96 MPG actual mileage. My last trip 3 weeks ago was 27.53. Two differences only
1) 87 octane instead of 93
2) new tires..(although I have read you get a mileage drop with new tires since they have tread and holding power..(my others would not pass inspection in 10 days...I am not sure its the tires or the bad gas..or both..

When I arrived in town i filled up with 93 and checked the ethanol
content.....here in Erie PA...its real gas!! no ethanol....

My mileage should be aournd 28MPG on the way back...

JOHN

 

[abigpicture]

I was able to have the TOyota dealer replace my plug wires,plugs,fuel filter and do a autotransmission flush..

I had all the parts with me including my drilled NGK plugs
which were gapped down to .03
Truck runs fantastic but lets see if it yields more mileage....
on the trip back...was dissapointed in the MPG performance on the way here.....but I have to report what "IS" and not what I hope for
stay tuned...

JOHN

FIrst time I put 87 octane in the truck in months..and months...
anyway the results are not good...

today to Erie pa.... 23.96 MPG actual mileage. My last trip 3 weeks ago was 27.53. Two differences only
1) 87 octane instead of 93
2) new tires..(although I have read you get a mileage drop with new tires since they have tread and holding power..(my others would not pass inspection in 10 days...I am not sure its the tires or the bad gas..or both..

When I arrived in town i filled up with 93 and checked the ethanol
content.....here in Erie PA...its real gas!! no ethanol....

My mileage should be aournd 28MPG on the way back...

JOHN

 

[twitch]

what mods have you done to your suv? am looking to do the same. went to smartgas.net and read everything. good info. I recomend everyone go and look. I have not done any expierments yet.

1996 limited V6 AUTO
129,000 miles

I get 27-28 HWY and around
19-21 city

go to smartgas.net to improve your mileage...

I will it over 30 MPG on my next
trip

JOHN

 

[abigpicture]

Twitch

I have done everything on the 14-15 point list except.

a) change thermostat
b) add a fuel warmer
c) ADD A FUEL sQUIRTER
D) ADD A fever buster circuit to beter adjust fuel mixter..(this one is not atually on the list but needs to be done}

everything esle on the list I have done....

Regards<
JOHN

what mods have you done to your suv? am looking to do the same. went to smartgas.net and read everything. good info. I recomend everyone go and look. I have not done any expierments yet.

 

[twitch]

what results did you see when you started adding the acitone? were they large?

Twitch

I have done everything on the 14-15 point list except.

a) change thermostat
b) add a fuel warmer
c) ADD A FUEL sQUIRTER
D) ADD A fever buster circuit to beter adjust fuel mixter..(this one is not atually on the list but needs to be done}

everything esle on the list I have done....

Regards<
JOHN

 

[twitchee2]

This past weekend i went down to San Diego from just north of LA. Stock 2wd 03 v8 and i was getting 24mpg according to the on board, i didn't calculate it by hang, but it tends to be fairly accurate for us. That was all freeway down the 5 averaging 70-80mpg all the way.

 

[abigpicture]

ARRIVEBACK

 

[abigpicture]

ARRIVEBACK

back here in D.C.

last MPG reading fresh from the pump

12.41 gallons yielded 26.23 MPG (not the 30 MPG I had hoped for)


still very good since I started at 18MPg HWy

City reading was 20.7 MPG when I was in Erie...

I will not see anymore improvement until I overide the O2 sensor..
I was told by Lou if my mileage jumps (which it did to 27-28) Be prepared for it to fall back down some....(which of course it did)
the computer keeps making counter adjustments to my
physical adjustments....

Hope to install the O2 overrider next week...

Regardsa,
JOHN

 

[twitch]

what is neede for an o2 override? how much? what is it called and where do we get it?

back here in D.C.

last MPG reading fresh from the pump

12.41 gallons yielded 26.23 MPG (not the 30 MPG I had hoped for)


still very good since I started at 18MPg HWy

City reading was 20.7 MPG when I was in Erie...

I will not see anymore improvement until I overide the O2 sensor..
I was told by Lou if my mileage jumps (which it did to 27-28) Be prepared for it to fall back down some....(which of course it did)
the computer keeps making counter adjustments to my
physical adjustments....

Hope to install the O2 overrider next week...

Regardsa,
JOHN

 

[abigpicture]

what is neede for an o2 override? how much? what is it called and where do we get it?

I just ordered mine tonight.....$167.00 total from
brightgreen.us

go to smartgas.net if you have trouble finding it....

I am sure I need this...I remember when I drove out of the dealership with my new plugs and wires etc...

the truck ran the best ever.....one tank later and my MPG gains started to dissappear...no way they should have...

I will install it as soon as I get it.

it attaches to the +signal from the front O2 sensor (before the converter) there are easy to follow diagrams....

it overrides the voltages being sent to the computer so you can dial in the best MPG.....

Ill report back

JOHN

 

[twitch]

Killer, with that and the foger you are going to get a big jump I would think.

Just got my in town milage. 15 mpg.

that is pretty suckie! The best I can do is 20 right now on the Hwy. I am going to start adding one thing at a time and see what the marked changes are and post them here also.

are you driving a 4runner. if so, what year? 4? 6?

I am in a 96 v6 4x4 with a brand new motor. I just put on a HUGE transmission cooler. I am going to change my oil this weekend to a heavy oil, it has 5w 30. I want to go to a 10w 40 or greater to see how it works. what are you running?

 

[Paul2660]

Questions for you guys

I hadn't followed up on this thread in a while and last night read up on the latest info. I then went to the Smart Gas site and read for a while. I wanted to ask you guys that are already doing some of the tips a few questions.

Have you moved to the 20-50 Oil? And if so what 4-runner do you have? I have always been told that the newer engines (not only Toyota, but Honda and others) all use the lighter weight oils as the engine tolerances as so much closer. I am no engineer but have just taken that for what it was worth. Smart Gas's point on using a higher weight oil and one that is not synthetic was interesting. I was curious as to what oils you were using. I found a site that sells the Baldwin filters and ordered up some of these.

Smart Gas talks about adding a mixture of Torco GP-7, Acetone, and Xylene. When you go to the Torco site, GP-7 is a oil additive, not a gas additive. However Smart Gas seems to be using it in their mixture, anyone else doing this or just using straight Acetone.

When you start to look at plug changes, did everyone else just have Toyota do this? I have a 2006 4-Runner, V6 and I believe you would have to take off the top cover to get to the plugs. Not sure about asking a dealer to replace the plugs with some brand besides Toyota as long as I am under base warranty.

The rest of the changes I can do.

Thanks in advance.

Paul C

 

[abigpicture]

Re: Questions for you guys

I hadn't followed up on this thread in a while and last night read up on the latest info. I then went to the Smart Gas site and read for a while. I wanted to ask you guys that are already doing some of the tips a few questions.

Have you moved to the 20-50 Oil? And if so what 4-runner do you have? I have always been told that the newer engines (not only Toyota, but Honda and others) all use the lighter weight oils as the engine tolerances as so much closer. I am no engineer but have just taken that for what it was worth. Smart Gas's point on using a higher weight oil and one that is not synthetic was interesting. I was curious as to what oils you were using. I found a site that sells the Baldwin filters and ordered up some of these.

Smart Gas talks about adding a mixture of Torco GP-7, Acetone, and Xylene. When you go to the Torco site, GP-7 is a oil additive, not a gas additive. However Smart Gas seems to be using it in their mixture, anyone else doing this or just using straight Acetone.

When you start to look at plug changes, did everyone else just have Toyota do this? I have a 2006 4-Runner, V6 and I believe you would have to take off the top cover to get to the plugs. Not sure about asking a dealer to replace the plugs with some brand besides Toyota as long as I am under base warranty.

The rest of the changes I can do.

Thanks in advance.

Paul C

Hi PAul..welcome and Hi to Twitch....

I ran across smartgas.net by accident.....I read the site and started to do all the suggested changes....

I have a 96 4x4 V6 limited with 130,000 miles...and of course it is paid for..... which why i decided to give everything a try...before I started this exercise in MPG improvement I was getting 14-15 city
18-19 HWY....
I now get 20-21 city and 26-28 HWY.....however apparently my trucks' computer is starting to change my fuel mixture and has hurt my mileage a little.....but the engine runs better than new...and that TORCO oil is the bomb....I highly recommend it no problem.....my engine runs very very quiet and smoooooth...

As far as the GP-7 goes its two stroke oil for racing.....I add just 1
ounce per ten gallons of fuel...(mix it with 1 oz Xylene) then mix that with about 2.5 ounces of Acetone...supposed to help lubricity near the top of the cylinder and aid in sealing off the rings when firing....

THe fever buster will probably be here tomorrow ..if not MOnday...
then I am putting her right on the truck....I know of a lady that just hit 62MPG after adding the FB (her mileage had dropped to about 25 hwy)...then she added the Os override (fever buster)

the thing about the changes on the list is this:

if you have something that is not functioning right....when you finish the whole tune-up you may be robbed of your efforts...

I have done everything....and had the Dealer install the plugs and wires for me and do the auto transmission flush....I supplied all the parts..

order your drilled plugs from brightgreen....I drilled my own..but
it was not easy....hard to find a #61 drill bit for one....just spend an extra $18 and have them predrilled....

stay tuned..

JOhn

 

[abigpicture]

new PART NOT here yet..

Was hoping to put in my Fever buster this weekend but it did not arrive in time...hoping it will come tomorrow Monday....

however I have 2 new mileage readings....

to Lancaster PA on Sat 25.5 MPG RUNNING ABOUT 67mph

NOw..since I know my next mileage gain will come after the install of the Fever Buster...I drove very agressively in my City driving....I even delivered PIZza in the city...( I have a pizza shop in D.C.)

anyway even with the agressive driving I still got 20.53 MPG which is really not bad...

Hope to report some great numbers at end of the week...great or not I will report what actually happens...

Regards,
JOHN

 

[Paul2660]

It will be interesting to see how it helps.
btw I emailed smart gas in regards to the 06 V6 and using their oil recommendations. I was alittle concerned about using the 20W-50 oil in the newer engines. I have always read that the newer engines, not just Toyota, call for the 5W-20 or similar due to the tighter tolerances of the newer engines. Still haven't heard back from them.

Paul C

 

[abigpicture]

It will be interesting to see how it helps.
btw I emailed smart gas in regards to the 06 V6 and using their oil recommendations. I was alittle concerned about using the 20W-50 oil in the newer engines. I have always read that the newer engines, not just Toyota, call for the 5W-20 or similar due to the tighter tolerances of the newer engines. Still haven't heard back from them.

Paul C

PAul they will answer...I have always received a return e-mail....
I also
received the Fever buster today..it is installed about an hour and 1/2 ....I ran a little on the highway to calibrate it...
you can tell when you have too high a voltage as the engine
feels like its choking on gas.....mine is set just a tiny turn from complete counter clockwise setting...It is too early to give any indication of MPG....I just filled up...truck runs pretty good and responds at a light touch of the accelerator....

I really need the fuel fogger now.....maybe I'll get that next week

stay tuned for a report....Ii really can;t tell if it will be better or worse right now...last time when my tires rolled easy I thought for sure my MPG would risel.but it fell....so we will see in 3-4 days...
but a better test would be a rerun of the Lancaster PA trip
that I just did.....its hard to be truly scientific in the experiments when you use the veihicle in real life

Regards,
JOhn