Skid plate surprise
- Thread starter Louie
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Atomic 4Runner
New member
How much does that darn thing weigh? Your skid plate must be made out of lead!
Baba Booey
New member
Perhaps you are onto something, but there may be other variables in play. Has your area switched from a summer-formulated gas to a winter-formulated gas? Who changes your oil? Toyota recently issued a TSB that calls for the use of 5W-20 oil in many engines. Maybe your dealer began using 5W-20 oil instead of 5W-30, which could theoretically increase gas mileage.
How about El Nino? Perhaps the changing weather has shifted the prevailing winds in your favor. Have you maintained constant air pressure in your tires over this time and are they the same tires?
There could be so many other factors involved that it would be tough to conclusively prove that the skid plate removal was the cause of the gas mileage increase unless you can control in some way for every other potential variable.
But, I guess it is very possible and would be a good find for those who don't use the skid plate.
How about El Nino? Perhaps the changing weather has shifted the prevailing winds in your favor. Have you maintained constant air pressure in your tires over this time and are they the same tires?
There could be so many other factors involved that it would be tough to conclusively prove that the skid plate removal was the cause of the gas mileage increase unless you can control in some way for every other potential variable.
But, I guess it is very possible and would be a good find for those who don't use the skid plate.
Last edited:
Uneek
Super Moderator
Also, do you have a V6 or V8? Many Tacoma owners over on ToyotaNation, same V6 1GR-FE, report that mileage continues to improve from 5-10k, at about 10k it's when it finally stabilizes. Many feel that the V6 is a tight motor and it's not fully broken in until after 5k before gas mileage improvement stops.
Who knows. A friend of mine says gas mileage shouldn't improve by more than a mile since the day it was driven off the lot. He thinks he mileage Tacoma owners are reporting are bogus. I sense envy of a great truck, since he's a Ford guy.
Who knows. A friend of mine says gas mileage shouldn't improve by more than a mile since the day it was driven off the lot. He thinks he mileage Tacoma owners are reporting are bogus. I sense envy of a great truck, since he's a Ford guy.
Answers to questions.
43k miles, V8, same oil, 0w-30 synthetic, the dealer has never touched my vehicle, synthetic transmission fluid, synthetic in the dif, 4x2, tires, Michelin Cross T's at 38 psi all around. I drive very smooth, and keep off the brakes, traffic heavy at times but it usually keeps moving. Just filled up today 23.88 mpg for 398 miles, regular gas, I always fill at Costco and use Fuel Power 1 oz per 5gal gas, but it's always been used for both, plate and no plate.
43k miles, V8, same oil, 0w-30 synthetic, the dealer has never touched my vehicle, synthetic transmission fluid, synthetic in the dif, 4x2, tires, Michelin Cross T's at 38 psi all around. I drive very smooth, and keep off the brakes, traffic heavy at times but it usually keeps moving. Just filled up today 23.88 mpg for 398 miles, regular gas, I always fill at Costco and use Fuel Power 1 oz per 5gal gas, but it's always been used for both, plate and no plate.
Louie,
Interesting, I wouldn't have thought it would make that much of a difference. Sure the skid plate is flat and probably acts like an "air dam" but the 4Runner has the aerodynamics of a brick anyway.
I'm planning a 600-mile trip to Ohio in a couple of weeks and I'll take off my skid plate before I leave. The best I was able to get last year (same trip, time, and truck) for a fill-up at a 350 mile interval, 65-70 mph/cruise on with rest stops, was 20.1 mpg (hand calculated).
I fill-up until automatic shut off point. I averaged about 19.2 mpg overall for the trip (mostly highway). I use regular oils in all applications, 38 psi in Dunflops, 14k miles, 87-octane fuel (all brands), 4x4/V8/ 2005 SE. Toyota does all the oil changes.
I know there are other factors such as temperature, weather, road conditions, traffic, etc. but we'll see if there any difference for those factors I can control.
I'll let you know.....
Interesting, I wouldn't have thought it would make that much of a difference. Sure the skid plate is flat and probably acts like an "air dam" but the 4Runner has the aerodynamics of a brick anyway.
I'm planning a 600-mile trip to Ohio in a couple of weeks and I'll take off my skid plate before I leave. The best I was able to get last year (same trip, time, and truck) for a fill-up at a 350 mile interval, 65-70 mph/cruise on with rest stops, was 20.1 mpg (hand calculated).
I fill-up until automatic shut off point. I averaged about 19.2 mpg overall for the trip (mostly highway). I use regular oils in all applications, 38 psi in Dunflops, 14k miles, 87-octane fuel (all brands), 4x4/V8/ 2005 SE. Toyota does all the oil changes.
I know there are other factors such as temperature, weather, road conditions, traffic, etc. but we'll see if there any difference for those factors I can control.
I'll let you know.....
Maybe synthetic lubricants, street only tires (Michelin Cross T's) at higher pressures (38psi) and smooth steady driving does return better mileage. Oh, and staying off that brake pedal.
I'll be interested in hearing how your test without the skid plate goes.
Another thing, I listen to books on tape/CD's and drive with the windows up to hear them better. I'm wondering if that's worth a bit better mileage, too. These new 4Runners are really quiet inside on the freeway.
I'll be interested in hearing how your test without the skid plate goes.
Another thing, I listen to books on tape/CD's and drive with the windows up to hear them better. I'm wondering if that's worth a bit better mileage, too. These new 4Runners are really quiet inside on the freeway.
