Tricks to up your fuel mileage. (V8)
- Thread starter Moist
- Start date
MidWesterner
New member
I have a 2003 4.7 and it runs alright. I normally cruise about 35-40 and keep the rpm low, and my drive home today with less traffic after a fresh tune up, i was managing 17.8 on the dash computer....the OBD dongle was reading 28.6 rolling with low rpm. It did manage to settle out about 23mpg when I arrived home. It was only 5 miles, but lower rpm's seem to help.
4RunnerTime
New member
Are you sure it wasn't fuel line cleaner?
Haha yes you're probably right. I believe the actual name is "Red Line (60103) Complete SI-1 Fuel System Cleaner "
Moist
Member
So quick update and a sort of guide to hypermiling the 03' V8 SR5 runner. (Full time 4WD)
I'm usually running 85 no ethanol, have a wind deflector over the roof rack, and a K&N Performance Air Filter.
There's a few tricks to it:
(1). Let engine warm fully. I don't think it shifts into overdrive if the engine is too cold.
(2). A/C off
(3). Gentle acceleration. Do NOT get above 2,000 RPM. This means on the interstate you'll be doing between 65-70 MPH. I usually keep it around 67-68 ish. Above 2,000 the mileage takes a nosedive. This is the most important part.
(4). If you really want the best balance the weight properly, I get my best below half but above an 1/8th tank.
(5). Use fresh fuel? I havent experimented with fuel age much but older fuel seems to drag milage down. (We're talking month or so old fuel)
(6). This one could be called cheating, but getting in the airflow behind semis works very well. I can get above 20 with it. You don't have to tailgate, but get in the airflow (but not the turbulent part) and stick there.
This is what I do I average 20 MPG usually, but the highest I've gotten is 24 but that was with no wind and behind a semi.
This may differ as I have an early non-vvti 2UZ-FE that is rocking 20 Y/O cats, holes in the exhaust headers, and so many exhaust leaks its comical.
I do have slightly larger tires. The rims are the wrong offset too and I don't know if that affects the aerodynamics of it. (My rims end at the same point as the fender does.)
I'm usually running 85 no ethanol, have a wind deflector over the roof rack, and a K&N Performance Air Filter.
There's a few tricks to it:
(1). Let engine warm fully. I don't think it shifts into overdrive if the engine is too cold.
(2). A/C off
(3). Gentle acceleration. Do NOT get above 2,000 RPM. This means on the interstate you'll be doing between 65-70 MPH. I usually keep it around 67-68 ish. Above 2,000 the mileage takes a nosedive. This is the most important part.
(4). If you really want the best balance the weight properly, I get my best below half but above an 1/8th tank.
(5). Use fresh fuel? I havent experimented with fuel age much but older fuel seems to drag milage down. (We're talking month or so old fuel)
(6). This one could be called cheating, but getting in the airflow behind semis works very well. I can get above 20 with it. You don't have to tailgate, but get in the airflow (but not the turbulent part) and stick there.
This is what I do I average 20 MPG usually, but the highest I've gotten is 24 but that was with no wind and behind a semi.
This may differ as I have an early non-vvti 2UZ-FE that is rocking 20 Y/O cats, holes in the exhaust headers, and so many exhaust leaks its comical.
I do have slightly larger tires. The rims are the wrong offset too and I don't know if that affects the aerodynamics of it. (My rims end at the same point as the fender does.)
Last edited:
rdruss
Senior Member
"03 V8 AWD here, mine settles on 17.3 MPG on the digital readout whenever I reset it and run a complete tank or two through it. Of course after reset it shows 25, but quickly works it's way back to 17.3 eventually, which is about 2 MPG off real tank mileage. This consistent after 8 years and 70K miles of operation.
