4runner SMASH
New member
hey! i have a 1997 4runner limited and i want to improve my gas mileage. any advice?
mpg!
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Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
wow what an open ended question
Slow down.
Especially on the highway -drive 60 in a 65 until it kills ya to see Prius' passing ya.
Slow down.
Jackrabbit starts-beating everyone across the intersection from a stop light is not good for your mileage. Stop showing off to that young punk with the 5 liter mustang and the Vette with the gray haired lady driver.
Tire size-get those 37's off and replace with some 31s.
this is too easy....
Slow down.
Especially on the highway -drive 60 in a 65 until it kills ya to see Prius' passing ya.
Slow down.
Jackrabbit starts-beating everyone across the intersection from a stop light is not good for your mileage. Stop showing off to that young punk with the 5 liter mustang and the Vette with the gray haired lady driver.
Tire size-get those 37's off and replace with some 31s.
this is too easy....
4runner SMASH
New member
okay sweet... i was thinkin' more along the lines of k&n intake...maybe exhaust? muffler? stuff i could add to my 4runner. thoughts on that?
Clemsonfan15
New member
I wouldn't get a K&N intake. If you feel like doing the deckplate mod go for it. It's like putting a K&N on.
Get a high flow air filter such as a K&N or TruFlow.
You could get a new muffler if you wanted to. It might help just a tad, but it would sound a lot cooler.
Get a high flow air filter such as a K&N or TruFlow.
You could get a new muffler if you wanted to. It might help just a tad, but it would sound a lot cooler.
4runner SMASH
New member
i'll get the k&n filter for sure and maybe a muffler. thanks for ur help!!!
bigtuna
Member
I have used k&n's in the past and to tell you the truth, I don't think they are worth it at all.
They let more dirt blow by, and it is possible that the filter oil can blow back and get sensors dirty.
They only power gain you will see is a full throttle, you will not see a mpg gain...period.
If you like the sound, just do the deckplate mod, as was suggested earlier.
I am however all for an exhaust system!!
They sound awesome, you feel the diff and a good one will get you minimal mpg gain.
You will get the best bang for your buck in mpg by replacing all the oils w/ synthetics- engine, trans, transfer case, axles.
Also change the spark plugs with the toyota parts (twin ground electrode), change wires from coils to driver side plugs, clean/replace MAF sensor, check/replace O2 sensor, replace fuel filter, and keep tire pressures at correct level.
As far as exterior mods- keep the truck clean- no big luggage/cargo carriers on top, keep stock size tires, no lift kits.
As also mentioned watch the gas pedal- there are devices you can buy that attach to the OBDII port that can give you real-time mpg readings as you drive... you will be amazed how much gas we waste by jumping off at lights, and driving faster than 65...
Is that enough for ya????
They let more dirt blow by, and it is possible that the filter oil can blow back and get sensors dirty.
They only power gain you will see is a full throttle, you will not see a mpg gain...period.
If you like the sound, just do the deckplate mod, as was suggested earlier.
I am however all for an exhaust system!!
They sound awesome, you feel the diff and a good one will get you minimal mpg gain.
You will get the best bang for your buck in mpg by replacing all the oils w/ synthetics- engine, trans, transfer case, axles.
Also change the spark plugs with the toyota parts (twin ground electrode), change wires from coils to driver side plugs, clean/replace MAF sensor, check/replace O2 sensor, replace fuel filter, and keep tire pressures at correct level.
As far as exterior mods- keep the truck clean- no big luggage/cargo carriers on top, keep stock size tires, no lift kits.
As also mentioned watch the gas pedal- there are devices you can buy that attach to the OBDII port that can give you real-time mpg readings as you drive... you will be amazed how much gas we waste by jumping off at lights, and driving faster than 65...
Is that enough for ya????
4runner SMASH
New member
ALRIGHT! so, i did the deck plate mod and tomorrow i'll be buying a k&n filter. Than, I'm going for the muffler. thanks[:
mikgrail3
New member
Forget about adding anything. Ron has the best advice for our trucks....slow down. I drive 55 on the freeway about 25 miles each way to work and get 20mpg. I'm running 35" MT tires, ARB front bumper with winch, custom steel rear bumper with a full size spare, bud built skids and belly pan...so basically a lot of weight.
Granted I do have the deckplate mod and an electric fan. But before I changed my driving style for commuting I was getting 15-16 mpgs driving 70. I picked up 4 mpg's just slowing down.
Granted I do have the deckplate mod and an electric fan. But before I changed my driving style for commuting I was getting 15-16 mpgs driving 70. I picked up 4 mpg's just slowing down.
bigtuna
Member
Definitely agree w/ you there Mike, slowing down will get you amazing mpg!!
Just an example, I own a Mechanical Contracting company and have two Ford utility box vans built on a E-450 chassis w/ powerstroke motors.
The one I typically drive gets 8-9 mpg of diesel, and the truck weighs 13,500 lbs
When I am careful with the accelerator, and don't go over 55mph I am seeing 11-12mpg.
Don't ask me how much fun it is to drive 55.... sirius radio helps!
Just an example, I own a Mechanical Contracting company and have two Ford utility box vans built on a E-450 chassis w/ powerstroke motors.
The one I typically drive gets 8-9 mpg of diesel, and the truck weighs 13,500 lbs
When I am careful with the accelerator, and don't go over 55mph I am seeing 11-12mpg.
Don't ask me how much fun it is to drive 55.... sirius radio helps!
K&N and a muffler will help with the MPG. Not because they are more efficient, but because your wallet will be lighter from spending the $$.
On top of what others have said, try not to carry any more than necessary. Air up your tires properly. Do your regular maintenance. There is NO mod that you can do that will get you a substantial gain in MPG. Even if you spend $5000 to get your rig up to 30MPG, it will take you more than 6 years making up that cost (based on 15k miles per year).
Bottom line, accept the fact that your rig will only see 21MPG on the average (HWY). It's a TRUCK, you know... :awais:
On top of what others have said, try not to carry any more than necessary. Air up your tires properly. Do your regular maintenance. There is NO mod that you can do that will get you a substantial gain in MPG. Even if you spend $5000 to get your rig up to 30MPG, it will take you more than 6 years making up that cost (based on 15k miles per year).
Bottom line, accept the fact that your rig will only see 21MPG on the average (HWY). It's a TRUCK, you know... :awais:
4runner SMASH
New member
i want 21 mpg on the highway, that would make me very happy.
So now I'm considering a catback or muffler. I'm a little iffy about spending the money for a catback. My 4runner is old and has been having problems lately. It's been okay since I replaced the sway bars so hopefully it's done breaking, knock on wood.
I'm considering the trd or borla catback OR a flowmaster or cherry bomb muffler. Mufflers aren't as expensive but I will have to get it installed since it needs to be welded. I'm pretty conflicted. Oh, and I am looking for sound. How are you guys feelin'?
catback or muffler
borla or trd
cherry bomb or flowmaster
So now I'm considering a catback or muffler. I'm a little iffy about spending the money for a catback. My 4runner is old and has been having problems lately. It's been okay since I replaced the sway bars so hopefully it's done breaking, knock on wood.
I'm considering the trd or borla catback OR a flowmaster or cherry bomb muffler. Mufflers aren't as expensive but I will have to get it installed since it needs to be welded. I'm pretty conflicted. Oh, and I am looking for sound. How are you guys feelin'?
catback or muffler
borla or trd
cherry bomb or flowmaster
Last edited:
eddie4christ
New member
Hey guys, 20/20 did a special on the whole "empty tank" light in vehicles, they said once that light goes on, vehicles average 50 miles more of driving. I found that you can stretch the 18 gal. tank on the 4Runner to get you about 360 miles before the engine completely dies... trust me I did it to test. I hit 300 miles once the light came on, then I kept driving for the next 60, its risky but you can guestimate that you have about 40 more miles once that light goes on... Dont know if that helps... I also started buying regular unleaded and every other fill up I would pop in a bottle of fuel system cleaner
004Gunner
New member
I have passed 300 miles on a tank many times in my 4Runner. I usually do this is on long highway trips but it can be done with mostly highway driving. Cat back exhausts and after market muffler upgrades are not cost effective ways to increase fuel economy and whether or not they even do increase mpgs is hotly debated. As for K&Ns allowing more dirt in, a logical answer is that anything that allows more air intake to your engine will inherently allow more dirt, dust, contaminants into your engine. It is up to you to decide if the benefit of adding said device will out weigh the risk. I have a K&N on mine and follow the manufacturer's guidelines for care and maintenance on it. When I cleaned my MAF after having it on for 45k miles I expected it to be dirty, but as it turned out I didn't even need to clean it. Slowing down is the best proven way to increase mpgs and if you want to drive slower than the flow of traffic I don't have any problems with that. I will say that in Jersey it is a law that slower vehicles keep right, so if you do this in the fast lane, consider yourself an inconsiderate pos. One's desire to maximize their fuel economy should not have a negative impact on the overall flow of traffic. Just my $.02 for the people desperate to gain that 1 or 2 mpg.
mikgrail3
New member
I have a dent in mine that makes me run out at 15.3 gallons. Ask me how I know? I've run out twice in the past year. My gauge wasn't working correctly and I wasn't sure what I was getting for mileage the first time. The second time, I was banking on getting another 19-20 mpgs, (my gauge working this time) I thought I was fine when my light came on whan I was 2 miles from home on the freeway. I started sputtering within a 1/2 mile from when the light came on. I was able to refire it a 1/2 dozen times to limp to a gas station. Both times it took 15.3 gallons to fill it.
So now I fill it when it just gets under a 1/4 tank or I've gone 250 miles. When I first bought the truck I wasn't even able to see 200 miles from a tank, I think I ran out at 190 or something. Adjusting my driving has stretched that quite a bit now.
So now I fill it when it just gets under a 1/4 tank or I've gone 250 miles. When I first bought the truck I wasn't even able to see 200 miles from a tank, I think I ran out at 190 or something. Adjusting my driving has stretched that quite a bit now.
Hey, you're not the guy in the left lane who just won't slide into the right-hand lane to let the speeding jerks go by, are you? I always figure you're a cop off duty or someone trying to save a life, or reading a book and can't be interrupted.:awais:mikgrail3 said:
...just kidding.