Toyota Bug Deflectors/Gas Mileage

Ky4Runner1

Ky4Runner1

New member
I had the Toyota 4 Runner bug deflector installed before I picked up the vehicle but I had someone tell me after the fact that it will impact my gas mileage.

Thoughts?

It seems fairly aerodynamic.

I am driving as gentle as I can and the best mpg I have been able to achieve is 20.3 on mostly all interstate driving.

450 miles on a 2015 Limited 4x4.
 
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With all of my modifications I've barely seen any difference in mileage, I seriously doubt a bug deflector will do anything to mileage.
 
Expect a loss of 5 to 8 mpg depending on how nice you are to the throttle. ;):

Seriously, you should return your truck right now, and buy something else if you are that worried about your mpg. It will certainly drive you crazy trying to get optimum mpg all the time. The thing is rated at 17/22

If you do anything to it, it will affect the mileage somehow, including the easiest thing... and that is to carry too much crap around in the truck. The thing weighs almost 6000 pounds and has a 275 HP gas engine, farting improperly will cause a slight loss of mpg. Just sayin' :)
 
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I wouldn't worry about it. Any impact will be minimal. Think about it, that big, gaping grill opening in the front and the upright windshield are the two big aerodynamic factors working against MPG (among other things that all add up). That little bug deflector won't likely make much of a dent either way.

Plus, your truck (like mine) is still new and tight. Give it a few thousand miles to seat in and loosen up, and mileage will probably go up. It still won't be dramatic, maybe 1-2 mpg tops, but around 5K is where I've seen the uptick on other vehicles I've had.

Finally, the best suggestion I can make for you is to change your unit of measurement regarding mileage: Stop thinking about Miles per Gallon, and instead focus on SMILES per Gallon. You'll be much happier with your new 4R that way. :thumb3:
 
farting improperly will cause a slight loss of mpg. Just sayin' :)[/QUOTE]

I didn't realize there was a "proper" way?
 
Raven said:
I didn't realize there was a "proper" way?
Click to expand...

"Improperly" would infer someone else is in the car and you roll down the windows to refresh the cabin therefore affecting mileage ;):

The "proper" thing to do would be to wait until you get out...
 
Ky4Runner1 said:
... I am driving as gentle as I can and the best mpg I have been able to achieve is 20.3 on mostly all interstate driving.

450 miles on a 2015 Limited 4x4.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the '15. You forgot to say what color, lol.

My experience has been that your mileage will depend on the speed. Driving across west Texas on the interstate, I was getting about 16-17 mpg, but that was at 90+ mph. The best I've ever seen was a 200 mile stretch on Oregon highways where my instrumentation read 25.0 mpg. (Oregon highways are stuck at a speed limit of 55, and they really like to enforce it.)

Overall, I've filled my tank 52 times now, and my mileage varies from about 19.5 to 21.0. In general, I've concluded that the mpg sweet spot for me is about 55-65 mph, and I lose mileage over that. On the other hand, I live in the west and 55 is just way to slow on our 70-80 mph roads.
 
I'm sure the impact of improper farting on gas mileage has other variables to consider before one just blatantly assumes the impact on mpg would be negative. For instance, if the perpetrator of said fart were leaning forward, it may even improve mileage. Other factors such as duration, and decibel level may also be impactful (one must always consider the dampening qualities of the seat material before assuming negative impact). Another factor that comes to mind is whether or not it was a right or left cheek lift, and whether or not a KDSS equipped vehicle would counter the impact. I'm sure 1engineer has done a thorough study of the fart to mpg phenomenon, and can provide us with extensive test results :hiding:
 
There's nothing wrong with trying to get good mileage with what you have. I drive mine to get the best MPG as practical. It's such a massive box of a boat anchor it's not gonna get anywhere in a hurry no matter how aggressive you are with the throttle. It's like telling Rosie O'Donnel to "run" a mile instead of walking it.
 
AudiTech said:
There's nothing wrong with trying to get good mileage with what you have. I drive mine to get the best MPG as practical. It's such a massive box of a boat anchor it's not gonna get anywhere in a hurry no matter how aggressive you are with the throttle. It's like telling Rosie O'Donnel to "run" a mile instead of walking it.
Click to expand...

It drives so nice after getting out of the Pilot.
I enjoy the time i have in the vehicle.
Never in a hurry.
 
Bilbo said:
Congrats on the '15. You forgot to say what color, lol.

My experience has been that your mileage will depend on the speed. Driving across west Texas on the interstate, I was getting about 16-17 mpg, but that was at 90+ mph. The best I've ever seen was a 200 mile stretch on Oregon highways where my instrumentation read 25.0 mpg. (Oregon highways are stuck at a speed limit of 55, and they really like to enforce it.)

Overall, I've filled my tank 52 times now, and my mileage varies from about 19.5 to 21.0. In general, I've concluded that the mpg sweet spot for me is about 55-65 mph, and I lose mileage over that. On the other hand, I live in the west and 55 is just way to slow on our 70-80 mph roads.
Click to expand...

It's the pearl white with redwood leather.
Love it!
 
I also purchased the 2014 4runner 4x4 LE and drove it around stock for about 10K miles. My average MPG was about 18-19. I then added the Bug Deflector and 1 inch wheel spacers added another 10K miles, and now running on 20K miles, still averaging about 18-19MPG.

No change in Gas consumption. But like many on here, if you are really concerned with MPG, the 4runner limited is a tough to monitor since you'll eventually want to lift, get bigger tires, add racks...

Also I've taken my 4runner snowboarding last season a few time using a roof rack, and didn't notice a decrease on Freeway miles. just a FYI

T-Dao:thumb3:
 
OP - even 1engineer would be hard pressed to come up with a chart or formula demonstrating the bug deflectors effect on mileage. With so many variables involved, I suggest it would be immeasurable.

Ps., What is the last thing to go through a bugs' mind when it hits your windshield at 100 mph?
 
Raven said:
... What is the last thing to go through a bugs' mind when it hits your windshield at 100 mph?
Click to expand...

"Dang. Those guys on the bug net to told me a deflector would just gently waft me over the vehicle and out of harms way."
 
Ky4Runner1 said:
It drives so nice after getting out of the Pilot.
I enjoy the time i have in the vehicle.
Never in a hurry.
Click to expand...

105K and feel the exact same way...

oh..

and my bug deflector has been on since 14K...and the only reason I leave it on..?

because it bugs the shi t out of Antman..
 
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