I have a 3.4 L V6 and for most uses provides more than enough power. I was wondering of a way I could decrease the power so as to get better gas mileage. My initial thought was what if I disconected a spark plug wire or two, then I'd be working with less cylinders. Something tells me that wouldn't work though. Can anyone tell me why and what would happen if I did? Does anyone have any other suggestions on how to trade power for mileage?

 

I wouldn't unplug wires, it will just run like crap. Besides I believe the cylinder would still get fuel, and no spark = bad.

 

buy a Kia.

 

if you unplug the spark plug wire, it will shake, and be rather violent, and the injector will still pump fuel in but just not get power from it w/ out the spark. To actually achieve your goal, you would have to unplug the injectors, but it will still run like crap and shake. Honestly your best bet is to keep the truck in the best mechanical shape you can. Synthetic fluids will help reduce some friction and free up some MPG, proper tire pressure (or maybe a bit higher) will help a LOT, electric fan will help as well. And of course if you really do that much driving .. buy a Yaris or Corolla or something for your daily commute, and save the 4runner for when you need it to do what its good at.

 

You can increase both....Check out ISR mod and/or elbow mod.

 

DO NOT UNPLUG THE WIRES! This would dump raw fuel into your exhaust manifold and then into the catalytic converter. This will ruin the cat. The previous suggestions will give you better MPG (tire pressure etc.). But also, make sure you are running the OEM spark plugs (Denso or NGK). If you have Bosch, change them immediatly. Only use the dual grounded electrode. A good spark is essential to complete combustion of fuel. Change your air filter if you haven't in the last 12k. Synthetic fluids will help. My V6 Camry with 180k gets about 30 MPG with Full Synthetic and my V6 VTEC Accord gets almost 30 MPG with 0w30 Mobil 1 which is amazing gas mileage for V6 cars thanks to synthetic oil. In my T4R I switched my diffs and txfer case to AMSoil 75w90 yesterday and it made a huge difference in the smoothness of the vehicle but I have yet to test my MPG difference. Also make sure you are using 5w30 NOT 10w30. 10w30 is thicker and can cause a drop in MPG (maybe 1 or 2). I put in Valvoline MaxLife 5w30 blend last oil change (I just got the vehicle and the previous owner ran 10w30) and it made a difference hopefully in my MPG.
Case in Point, little things do add up.

 

I figured it was bad to unplug the spark plug wires, hence why I asked first. I do a lot of the little things already to improve my mileage, but was looking for a bigger change by sacrificing something else. I currently get 19-21 mpg (22 on a really good day). However I've been doing a lot more driving lately.

I could get a Prius which would get me about 45 mpg. If I drive 19k miles a year the Prius would take 422 gal and the 4Runner would take 950 gal. Thats a 528 gal difference. Which is about $1000 at current gas prices. A Prius will cost me a lot more than $1000 and depreciate more than that so I'll stick with the 4Runner.

 

Place a handfull of tacks in your right shoe.

You'll probably want to use your left foot for braking though.

 

19-21 is bad? You 3.4 owners are spoiled...
You're kidding about removing plugwires, right?

 

Buy a Corolla you would make it up faster and they get almost the same mileage.
I calculated the difference between driving my Camry at 30 MPG and driving a 4Runner (20 MPG) for me at $4.00 / gal for gas and it was like $30 / month. Hence, why I bought one.

 

Before i moved to CA i had a winter beater Corolla (84 FWD model) that got in the 30-40mpg range depending on how you drove, and that cost me like $300.... almost wish i would have brought it w/ me.

 

Dump all the weight you can.... rear seats, spare tire, skid plates, etc....

Your getting good mpg right now man.

 

Tape a block of wood to the back side of your skinny peddle LOL. Seriously do everything you can to keep it in closed loop, which basicly means never going over about 80% throttle. Don't change the air intake, stock will be best for keeping it in closed loop and 14.7 A/F.

 

Yeah man for the 3.4 I don't think you could do much better than 19-21 mpg!

 

leave it alone. If you buy the synthetic you are paying more for oil. Not quite twice as much but more. You have to change the oil every 3 k to see benifits from it. maybe the gear oil would be a good idea, though.

buy yourself a 95ish boneville or buick century. I had one that got 32 MPG on trips and 29 in town. good power and CHEAP. 1500 bucks and your set. kinda a grandma car but seriously when going on the cheap it doesn't matter. Or find an old (95-98)turcel. just as good, reliable, and cheap. just my .o2 not an expert here.

 

Les power doesn't mean that you will get better mileage. If a vehicle is under powered it will get bad mileage. The engine will have to pull harder, requiring more gas, to get moving and hold speed. Big engine cars can get good gas mileage if you drive consertively.

 

Have you even tried to use synthetic blend (DuraBlend) oil? I have always increased my mileage at least 2 MPG by putting it in. When I switch over to Synthetic oil it goes up again about 2 MPG. I get almost 30 MPG in a VTEC V6 Accord (EPA estimates are much lower) I attribute that to synthetic oil. That is the only synthetic oil in the car. Why are you even in this forum if you believe in buying GM pieces of crap? People should buy a Toyota because they go forever and are super reliable. I have a V6 Camry that should go at least 300K and I have 180K on it right now with nothing malfunctioning (even the A/C that goes out on GM cars). It is in better shape than any car I have seen at this mileage. GM can't come close to that. I am sure you can find a Corolla for that much. Even an older Camry.