Need better gas millage

90 4Rnner · 03-17-2006, 05:55 PM

Does anyone know a good way to get better gas millage on a 1990 toyota 4runner like mod's or something

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ChickenLover · 03-17-2006, 05:58 PM

What kind of MPG are you getting now?

90 4Rnner · 03-17-2006, 05:59 PM

a little less than 16 mpg

brandontrek · 03-17-2006, 06:01 PM

i am getting round 18 with my pickup v6 5 speed...read my sig for mods...

Funk_Runner · 03-17-2006, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 4Rnner

a little less than 16 mpg

I think you are the one that should be sharing the secrets!!

Injohneer · 03-17-2006, 06:02 PM

You're doing good... I get about that, most people I know get worse.

I've found that keeping the speed and RPMs low does the best for me. Keep 'em down around 2500 RPM or lower and you'll see a bit of improvement.

ChickenLover · 03-17-2006, 06:03 PM

If you have the 3.0, that is actually a pretty good number. The best way to improve gas mileage is to keep your engine very well maintained. As for MPG specific mods... I don't think so.

Bob_98SR5 · 03-17-2006, 06:04 PM

hi ya,

this topic seems to resurface every few weeks. please search "increase mileage", "mpg", etc, etc.

the short answer is "No". anything you do will only increase your mpg by, say, 1 mpg at the most. you are actually doing alright and i think you should let some of the other guys know your secret!

bob

90 4Rnner · 03-17-2006, 06:08 PM

There's no real secret I have just kept up with everything on the car sense i got it the only current problem with it is that im having problems starting it after i have drivin it a while and leave for about 5 minutes and it wont start back up

Funk_Runner · 03-17-2006, 06:34 PM

One mod that I hear does directly boost your MPG is the electric fan mod. People have claimed to increase 1-2mpg after switching. I wouldn't know.....yet.

CoedNaked · 03-17-2006, 06:53 PM

Any money you spend on a mod that is known to increase fuel mileage, generally does not justify the gains you will receive. You might as well utilize the money you would pay for the mod to pay for the added cost of fuel.

For instance an exhaust and/or headers will make the engines job easier. It breathes better, doesnt have to work as hard, and generally guys who do mods along these lines will see maybe 1 or 2 more Miles per gallon. But was the Couple hundred dollars (or more sometimes, especially if you get headers) you shelled out worth 1 or 2 MPG extra? Not really. Maybe in the long run, say if you did the mod when you first bought the truck and kept it a really long time. But still likely not for most.

The only way you can justify mods, is for more power, because you plain old want more power out of your engine (whether it be for towing, or because you just like the feeling off the line). The best thing you can do for the 3.0 is to let it breath a little better. For instance a cat-back exhaust would be a good place to start. It will give you a slight performance increase, a slight gas mileage increase, and will help move heat which should also help prevent things like head warpage down the line. It's also a mod on the more inexpensive side as well.

F0RSAKEN · 03-17-2006, 07:30 PM

I get an average of 18mpg...and thats not driving like a grandma. '94 3.0 w/ 150k miles.

spindleshanks · 03-17-2006, 08:26 PM

Oh man...the electric fan mod! that mod has been the topic of some of the most severe fighting I've seen on TTORA...worse even than the bolt-on vs. weld-on slider fight. lol.
If you follow the directions in your Toyota manual, you can maximize your fuel efficiency. Just like Injohneer suggested. My Tacoma glovebox manual tells me to shift out of 1st at 15 miles per hour, out of 2nd at 25, out of 3rd at 35, out of 4th at 45 (or something very similar to that pattern, I don't recall exactly) It says to get to high gear as quickly as possible and stay there....not ideal for off-roading obviously, but off-road you can kiss that 16mpg goodbye anyway. Toyota says following the manual like this will prolong your engine life and maximize efficiency. It makes a noticable difference, but I don't think they considered driving at 5k-8k feet altitude while using this method. It's a dog. I'd rather use the extra gas and get around at a decent speed.

**aviator** · 03-17-2006, 09:30 PM

mods & ways to get more MPG.... where do I start...
lets see... first don't drag around crap you don"t need (a hard one for me) clean out yer truck. second consider doing a K&N cone filter mod (a lot of folks here will tell you to do the "deck plate mod" with a K&N drop in filter) this will probably work too but I did the cone thing before I'd heard of the other so I can't comment. third free flow cat and oversize exhaust throw in a header if you've got the cash. 4th try the electric fan mod listed here (i've got the part but hav'ent got around to installing it yet). These and many others may help you improve your already respectable numbers.
Oh yeah! your post dose'nt say but do you have the factory roof rack? if so unscrew and remove the cross bars when you're not using them this will decrease your drag a little bit too. Hope this helped buddy Aviator

regularguy412 · 03-18-2006, 12:05 AM

Besides making sure everything, and I mean EVERYthing, is in proper spec and tuned, the next best thing to do is keep your tires at optimum pressure and don't carry any extra weight around in the vehicle that you don't need to.

Mike in AR

V_Runner · 03-18-2006, 06:06 AM

try sefoam...then the IRS mod...

AH64ID · 03-18-2006, 09:21 AM

I get about 18 in the winter and 20-22 in the summer. Thats with a 22RE, buts its on 33's and 35's. I used to only get 14-15 with my 22RE runner with the same tires. The runner had a header and exhaust, which really upped performance and mileage, but the TRD stage II cam dropped me from upper teens to low-mid teens.

I noticed a big drop in MPG around town after putting my header and flowmaster on, I realized I was driving much harder since I liked the sound, once I got back to normal driving I saw the improvment.

I dont drive like a g-ma, I just realize that I dont have a fast rig and dont try to accelerate really fast, and when I can I start coasting to stop sooner...

It also where you live and drive. I live at 3K feet, but dont hit too many hills on the way to work, and can cruise at about 60 most of the way. When I had my rig in seattle with all the hills I only got 16 at best.

Some hints are next time you swap your fluids go synthetic, AMSOIL claims a 4.xx% increase in mileage with just their gear fluid. And it pays for itself with extended drain intervals. If you have ADD put hubs on your rig, its only about 150$ and saves CV's and mileage. The average CV replacment is $200+, and most shops wont replace a boot only, they want to do the whole shaft.

Other simple things are managing your tire pressure, keeping a clean airfilter..K&N's are good, but let some dust thru, so use a K&N on the street and something like a oil soaked AMSOIL for the trail.

On they hwy above about 65-70 mileage really drops off, so If you stay at 60-65 on short drives your only talking minutes of difference, for several mpg. If you can afford the time slow on long hills, I only get about 5-10mph from half to full throttle...

Just some things to think about. You dont have to baby your rig, but notice at what point you get negative returns for pressing the pedal down.

If you want to order some AMSOIL let me know, I am a dealer.

I am sure most of this info is in the other mpg posts of the past, but here it is again.

curly_c · 03-18-2006, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 4Rnner

a little less than 16 mpg

HOW THE HELL ARE YOU DOING THAT. i get close to 11 if im lucky. and i got a 90 5 speed. be happy....

mwm20004Runner · 03-20-2006, 07:48 PM

I just bought a 2000 4Runner SR5 auto, with 55,000 miles on it. I love the vehicle....I traded in a 2001 Blazer due to too many mechanicle problems. Though, I knew I was buying a bigger car, but i am getting bad gas mileage. My friend has a 1998, and is getting 20mpg, I think i am getting about 12-15? I drive with the O/D on, and the ECT power on normal....

Funk_Runner · 03-20-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V_Runner

then the IRS mod...

Does this mod improve MPG? I was in Home Depot on Saturday and literally stumbled onto the 3" flexible ducting.

shawnhog · 03-20-2006, 09:38 PM

What about ramming air into the intake? There are also claims that performing a snorkel mod will force more air into the intake, boosting power and mileage... Any takes on this?

4x4Lamm · 03-20-2006, 11:30 PM

11 with an auto 3.0 here.

Lamm

bruzer1123 · 03-21-2006, 04:44 AM

Don't you only need the O/D when you are going over a specific speed?

mwm20004Runner · 03-21-2006, 07:40 AM

The book says to drive the O/D on all the time to get good gas mileage. But when you want an extra gear, for a little more power to turn it off....still really dont understand the whole over drive thing...first vehicle I have bought that has ever had it.

kt19 · 03-21-2006, 09:12 AM

I'm getting 17 mpg and my o/d is not working properly. I use 10w30 Havoline and add a can of Restore to the engine with the oil change, and use Prestone fuel sytsem cleaner. My truck idles high right now also. I always run 65 to 70. I'm sure I will get better once I get my O/D problem fixed and get the Idle where it needs to be.

03-17-2006, 05:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
ChickenLover Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NV Posts: 2,583	What kind of MPG are you getting now? __________________ 95 4Runner, 3VZE , 141k, 4WD, Auto. (Head gaskets replaced at 106k)

03-17-2006, 06:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
brandontrek Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Miami FL Posts: 1,244	i am getting round 18 with my pickup v6 5 speed...read my sig for mods... __________________ 2003 Buell Firebolt Trek STP400 Sneakers

03-17-2006, 06:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Injohneer Contributing Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 667	You're doing good... I get about that, most people I know get worse. I've found that keeping the speed and RPMs low does the best for me. Keep 'em down around 2500 RPM or lower and you'll see a bit of improvement. __________________ Trail/Build Rig: 1981 Toyota Pickup 4x4, flatbed Tow Rig: 2001 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 4x4, X-cab Long Bed. Will be my tow rig, when I get a trailer. RIP: 1995 4Runner.

03-17-2006, 06:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
ChickenLover Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NV Posts: 2,583	If you have the 3.0, that is actually a pretty good number. The best way to improve gas mileage is to keep your engine very well maintained. As for MPG specific mods... I don't think so. __________________ 95 4Runner, 3VZE , 141k, 4WD, Auto. (Head gaskets replaced at 106k) Last edited by ChickenLover; 03-17-2006 at 06:04 PM.

03-17-2006, 06:53 PM	#11 (permalink)
CoedNaked Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,473	Any money you spend on a mod that is known to increase fuel mileage, generally does not justify the gains you will receive. You might as well utilize the money you would pay for the mod to pay for the added cost of fuel. For instance an exhaust and/or headers will make the engines job easier. It breathes better, doesnt have to work as hard, and generally guys who do mods along these lines will see maybe 1 or 2 more Miles per gallon. But was the Couple hundred dollars (or more sometimes, especially if you get headers) you shelled out worth 1 or 2 MPG extra? Not really. Maybe in the long run, say if you did the mod when you first bought the truck and kept it a really long time. But still likely not for most. The only way you can justify mods, is for more power, because you plain old want more power out of your engine (whether it be for towing, or because you just like the feeling off the line). The best thing you can do for the 3.0 is to let it breath a little better. For instance a cat-back exhaust would be a good place to start. It will give you a slight performance increase, a slight gas mileage increase, and will help move heat which should also help prevent things like head warpage down the line. It's also a mod on the more inexpensive side as well. __________________ 1993 Xtra Cab Pickup \| 4x4 \| 3.0 - V6 \| R150F \| Silver-Grey \| Amsoil 10w30 synthetic oil \| Amsoil Synthetic Drivetrain fluids\| Borla Cat-back Exhaust \| OME HD Leaf Springs \| Bilstein HD Shocks \| Downey Idler Arm Brace \| Grey Husky Liners \| SR5 Bucket Seat Swap \| Color matched Canopy \| Yakima racks \| Line-X OTR \| Michelin LTX A/T 31 x 10.5 x 15 \| 323,600 KM's (202,250 miles) \| Made in Japan - Vin starts with "J"\| Fish on Last edited by CoedNaked; 03-17-2006 at 06:54 PM. Reason: Alterations

03-17-2006, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
90 4Rnner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 9	a little less than 16 mpg

03-17-2006, 06:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bob_98SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 10,092	hi ya, this topic seems to resurface every few weeks. please search "increase mileage", "mpg", etc, etc. the short answer is "No". anything you do will only increase your mpg by, say, 1 mpg at the most. you are actually doing alright and i think you should let some of the other guys know your secret! bob

03-17-2006, 06:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
90 4Rnner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 9	There's no real secret I have just kept up with everything on the car sense i got it the only current problem with it is that im having problems starting it after i have drivin it a while and leave for about 5 minutes and it wont start back up

03-17-2006, 07:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
F0RSAKEN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 112	I get an average of 18mpg...and thats not driving like a grandma. '94 3.0 w/ 150k miles.

03-17-2006, 08:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
spindleshanks Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 620	Oh man...the electric fan mod! that mod has been the topic of some of the most severe fighting I've seen on TTORA...worse even than the bolt-on vs. weld-on slider fight. lol. If you follow the directions in your Toyota manual, you can maximize your fuel efficiency. Just like Injohneer suggested. My Tacoma glovebox manual tells me to shift out of 1st at 15 miles per hour, out of 2nd at 25, out of 3rd at 35, out of 4th at 45 (or something very similar to that pattern, I don't recall exactly) It says to get to high gear as quickly as possible and stay there....not ideal for off-roading obviously, but off-road you can kiss that 16mpg goodbye anyway. Toyota says following the manual like this will prolong your engine life and maximize efficiency. It makes a noticable difference, but I don't think they considered driving at 5k-8k feet altitude while using this method. It's a dog. I'd rather use the extra gas and get around at a decent speed. __________________ '03 beauty of a white Tacoma, check it out: http://www.yotatech.com/f83/spindles.../#post50606613 "The fingers you have used to dial this number are too fat. For information on how you can obtain your own personal dialing wand, please mash your palm against the keypad now."

03-17-2006, 09:30 PM	#14 (permalink)
aviator Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: COTKU,Ontario,Canada Posts: 7,472	mods & ways to get more MPG.... where do I start... lets see... first don't drag around crap you don"t need (a hard one for me) clean out yer truck. second consider doing a K&N cone filter mod (a lot of folks here will tell you to do the "deck plate mod" with a K&N drop in filter) this will probably work too but I did the cone thing before I'd heard of the other so I can't comment. third free flow cat and oversize exhaust throw in a header if you've got the cash. 4th try the electric fan mod listed here (i've got the part but hav'ent got around to installing it yet). These and many others may help you improve your already respectable numbers. Oh yeah! your post dose'nt say but do you have the factory roof rack? if so unscrew and remove the cross bars when you're not using them this will decrease your drag a little bit too. Hope this helped buddy Aviator __________________ Silver 1994 Hilux Xtra cab 4x4 3.0 K&N cone filter, ported MAF, advanced timing, oversize exhaust, free flow cat, "rumble" muffler custom covered SR5 seats, map lights, factory AC tv4184 style black interior conversion started mods to come... header, custom centre console, stereo upgrade tinted windows Founding member 1972TLC fan club - Get well soon Mary Toyota Hilux... Get in or Get out of the way.

03-18-2006, 12:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
regularguy412 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 490	Besides making sure everything, and I mean EVERYthing, is in proper spec and tuned, the next best thing to do is keep your tires at optimum pressure and don't carry any extra weight around in the vehicle that you don't need to. Mike in AR

03-18-2006, 06:06 AM	#16 (permalink)
V_Runner Banned for stupidity Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ludlow, MA Posts: 397	try sefoam...then the IRS mod...

03-18-2006, 09:21 AM	#17 (permalink)
AH64ID Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,638	I get about 18 in the winter and 20-22 in the summer. Thats with a 22RE, buts its on 33's and 35's. I used to only get 14-15 with my 22RE runner with the same tires. The runner had a header and exhaust, which really upped performance and mileage, but the TRD stage II cam dropped me from upper teens to low-mid teens. I noticed a big drop in MPG around town after putting my header and flowmaster on, I realized I was driving much harder since I liked the sound, once I got back to normal driving I saw the improvment. I dont drive like a g-ma, I just realize that I dont have a fast rig and dont try to accelerate really fast, and when I can I start coasting to stop sooner... It also where you live and drive. I live at 3K feet, but dont hit too many hills on the way to work, and can cruise at about 60 most of the way. When I had my rig in seattle with all the hills I only got 16 at best. Some hints are next time you swap your fluids go synthetic, AMSOIL claims a 4.xx% increase in mileage with just their gear fluid. And it pays for itself with extended drain intervals. If you have ADD put hubs on your rig, its only about 150$ and saves CV's and mileage. The average CV replacment is $200+, and most shops wont replace a boot only, they want to do the whole shaft. Other simple things are managing your tire pressure, keeping a clean airfilter..K&N's are good, but let some dust thru, so use a K&N on the street and something like a oil soaked AMSOIL for the trail. On they hwy above about 65-70 mileage really drops off, so If you stay at 60-65 on short drives your only talking minutes of difference, for several mpg. If you can afford the time slow on long hills, I only get about 5-10mph from half to full throttle... Just some things to think about. You dont have to baby your rig, but notice at what point you get negative returns for pressing the pedal down. If you want to order some AMSOIL let me know, I am a dealer. I am sure most of this info is in the other mpg posts of the past, but here it is again. __________________ -John '05 Dodge 3500 SRW 4x4 SLT 5.9 Cummins QC LB NV5600 2003 SR5 4Runner, V6 4WD. 1" cornfed lift Previous Toyota's '92 Red Truck NALA Speed doesn't kill, its the sudden stop that hurts.

03-20-2006, 07:48 PM	#19 (permalink)
mwm20004Runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	need some help with gas mileage I just bought a 2000 4Runner SR5 auto, with 55,000 miles on it. I love the vehicle....I traded in a 2001 Blazer due to too many mechanicle problems. Though, I knew I was buying a bigger car, but i am getting bad gas mileage. My friend has a 1998, and is getting 20mpg, I think i am getting about 12-15? I drive with the O/D on, and the ECT power on normal....

03-20-2006, 09:38 PM	#21 (permalink)
shawnhog Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: MT Posts: 60	What about ramming air into the intake? There are also claims that performing a snorkel mod will force more air into the intake, boosting power and mileage... Any takes on this?

03-20-2006, 11:30 PM	#22 (permalink)
4x4Lamm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 2,573	11 with an auto 3.0 here. Lamm __________________ -1992 4Runner SR5, Destroyed by fire. Lots of mods. I will miss it. -1995 4Runner SR5 Limited, Also known as the money pit. Becoming a trail rig now. -2004 Tacoma SR5 TRD, My new daily driver. I love this truck!

03-21-2006, 04:44 AM	#23 (permalink)
bruzer1123 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Idaho Posts: 337	Don't you only need the O/D when you are going over a specific speed?

03-21-2006, 07:40 AM	#24 (permalink)
mwm20004Runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	The book says to drive the O/D on all the time to get good gas mileage. But when you want an extra gear, for a little more power to turn it off....still really dont understand the whole over drive thing...first vehicle I have bought that has ever had it.

03-21-2006, 09:12 AM	#25 (permalink)
kt19 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 34	I'm getting 17 mpg and my o/d is not working properly. I use 10w30 Havoline and add a can of Restore to the engine with the oil change, and use Prestone fuel sytsem cleaner. My truck idles high right now also. I always run 65 to 70. I'm sure I will get better once I get my O/D problem fixed and get the Idle where it needs to be.

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