DaveyTN

I have an 03 4runner with about 1700 miles on it and was wondering if the gas mileage improves later on? If so, around what mileage should I see an improvement?

Thanks in advance!

gwhayduke

Oh about 1200 miles ago.

What are your driving habits?

EDGE

It should slowly improve and at 10k you should be getting the best mileage possible

Good Times

mpg should settle as soon as u pass 1000mi... but when u do hit 10k and you're not settled on your mpg then it's definitely signs of aggresive driving

as for me, i'm about to hit 10k by saturday... my mpg sux but it's well worth driving this 4runner

EDGE

I said 10k cause I have read it and been told by guys who work on engines that they are fully broken in at 10k, some sooner and some later, I was reading a post on a mustang board and some guy said he pulled his head and the engine shop said at 40k his engine was not fully broken in so......

My 4Runner when new would register 373 on the range computer, now at 4k the range reads 353 so I lost 20 miles but probably due to hard driving and the 93 octane

The Silent Man

My mileage has been getting better with every successive tank of gas. When new I was averaging about 15-16mpg, now at 3000 miles I'm getting 17-18mpg using Mobil 89. Not bad but I'm hoping it will get better once I switch to synthetic @ 5000 miles.

EDGE

Oh yeah even though my range has dropped I regularly get 18-22mpg, so mpg has increased

When I take this thing on highway trips I expect to get 26 mpg

The Silent Man

Honestly, I just took a 2 hour trip to Mohegan Sun last weekend and my highway mileage dropped about 1 1/2 mpg compared to regular in-town driving! Then again, I cruise about ~75mph so that's probably why. Gonna have to keep it under 65 if you wanna hit mid-20's

darkstar

I've just broken 10k, and keep a log of my fuel-up's vs miles and found that when graphed there was a large amount of variation in mpg up to 3k miles. The average mpg is now tapering to about 17-18mpg.

I just put 1100 miles on it over the memorial day weekend, and got a consistent 22-23 mpg over 3 fill-ups.

My 2k Celica was the same too until I retired her.

Sac State

I have not read anything, but does the '03 V8 require 93 octane? Or is 87 good enough?

LIVE4SWELL

I think the manual says 93 is recommended for best efficiency, but you can use 87, i was also told by a service manager to use 87, it is fine

darkstar

Agreed, the manual says 93 recommended, but not required.

Sac State

LIVE4SWELL: I notice you have an '03 Black V8 Sport. I pick my new rig up at 4PM today. Looks like a great ride. Counting down the minutes......

Good Times

87 octane is fine if you drive normally. If you're a lead foot and need every ounce of HP possible, then I'd suggest using 91/92 but for the average driver, 87 will be plenty

Sac State

.....I chose the Toyota Borla exhaust option also.

Good Times

Let me rephrase that...

If you drive WOT all the time, then I'd say you'll want the 92 as you're basically racing BUT if you're just the weekend warrior who just guns it here and there, the 87->92 won't show significant difference that you'd be saying "damn I lost cuz I was using 87"....

hope that helps... If you're unsure, try using both after you break in your engine and try it yourself The change between the two octane should be minimal... now if you get the SC then I'd say 92 no matter what! hehe (which would be a nice complement to your borla!)

Sac State

No, I am not really a bat-out-of-hell driver. Usually just putzing around enjoying the experience. I stomp it when getting on the highway, but around town and on country roads you would think I was a grandpa. I think I will break it in with 87 and switch to 89 when I get around 10K miles. I did that with my '02 and the engine/rig runs smooth as a top. The '02 was/is the best vehicle I have ever owned, and I have owned over 15 new vehicles in my career of varying manufacturers.

Sac State

I am sad to be trading in such a great vehicle, but the '03 with V8 and full-time 4X4, among other benefits, is a ringer.