It WORKED!

L8ight · 11-17-2009, 07:49 AM

Some of you may remember I posted in the fuel economy thread, because my Taco refused to do any better than 13 mpg average. I tried everything I knew to do, plugs, air filter, even sea foamed the tank and intake. Well, I had a little road trip, via the interstate and hwy roads. I cruised about 75-80 mph on the interstate, and in the mid 60s along the hwy. When I rolled back into town, I had about 170 miles on the trip O.D. and very nearly 1/2 tank still left! I was thrilled! Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

chris4x4 · 11-17-2009, 07:52 AM

Good to hear!

tmolina · 11-17-2009, 07:55 AM

You mentioned quite a few items, did you do them all at once then see a gain in mpg? Or did it improve after one particular thing? Fill us in...

L8ight · 11-17-2009, 08:17 AM

Well, I did the air filter first, since it looked a little old. No change. I then sea foamed the fuel tank. Felt peppier, but no improvement in economy. So I put sea foam directly into the intake, to help with the valves, intake runners, etc... Still no real improvement. So I replaced the spark plugs. I didn't see a change until I took the road trip, because I wound up towing a trailer and doing lots of in town driving. I then read that the truck runs VERY rich during warm up. Considering my daily commute is about 3 miles... it was no wonder the truck never got up to operating temps. That likely really really hurt my economy, as well as fouling the plugs faster. The speed limit on the way here varies between 25 and 40 mph, and with several stop signs, lights, etc... it really started to make sense.

The road trip gave me allot of hope. I nearly sold the truck, because I was so disgusted with the poor economy. Even my old 85 dodge full sized van got about that economy, and feels more plated on the road. I'm certain that's because my Taco has the off road package, relatively narrow tires and has a higher center of gravity. That van just drives real nice, never feels like its gonna tip the way my Taco does.

I'm now happy to have my Taco, but I may still buy a cheap econo box for just running around town. I like driving it, but the brakes and handling are very truck-like(I know, DUH right?!) With my old car (little turbo bug) I could haul butt, park real easy, never worry about being able to stop, and still made mid 30s fuel economy... I was spoiled rotten! I'll get used to slowing down, and I don't mind it so much.... it was about time I did.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate all the suggestions and info.

kg4ghn · 11-17-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L8ight

I like driving it, but the brakes and handling are very truck-like(I know, DUH right?!)

Really??? What was you expecting?

And if your truck feels like it is going to tip over, you might need to have it checked out, I've never felt like that in any of the trucks I've had.

Viet2100 · 11-17-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kg4ghn

Really??? What was you expecting?

And if your truck feels like it is going to tip over, you might need to have it checked out, I've never felt like that in any of the trucks I've had.

lol i think hes not used to being so high up and having more ground clearance.

L8ight · 11-17-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viet2100

lol i think hes not used to being so high up and having more ground clearance.

BINGO! lol What's weird is my Van is taller, and I sit higher in it, yet it feels more planted. I'm pretty sure it's just the suspension and tires. If I actually went off road with it, I'm sure I'd like it as is. For now, I'm looking into some lower profile, road going tires. I may also look into some fresh shocks, and maybe alter the dampening for road duty. All I really needed a truck for was towing long distance. I used to tow the same trailer with my bug, so it's not really heavy, I just didn't want to put that kind of wear on the car.

11-17-2009, 07:49 AM	#1
L8ight Member Name: Brad Joined: Oct 2009, #24337 Location: Ft Walton BEach Fl Gender: Male Posts: 33 2002 Tacoma SR5 V6 2002 Double Cab Automatic	It WORKED! Some of you may remember I posted in the fuel economy thread, because my Taco refused to do any better than 13 mpg average. I tried everything I knew to do, plugs, air filter, even sea foamed the tank and intake. Well, I had a little road trip, via the interstate and hwy roads. I cruised about 75-80 mph on the interstate, and in the mid 60s along the hwy. When I rolled back into town, I had about 170 miles on the trip O.D. and very nearly 1/2 tank still left! I was thrilled! Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

11-17-2009, 07:52 AM	#2
chris4x4 Watching Ed Live vicariously through mjp2 Name: FlimFlubberJAM Joined: May 2008, #6497 Location: Arizona Gender: Male Posts: 46,824 2007 PreRunner 2007 Double Cab Automatic 1GR-FE (4.0 V6) OME 885's, OME n140s front shocks, Total Chaos UCA's, TSB springs with AAL, 5100 rear shocks, custom built fuel tank skid plate, TRD exhaust.	Good to hear! __________________ Release the Cracken!

11-17-2009, 07:55 AM	#3
tmolina Member Name: Thomas Joined: Oct 2009, #23724 Location: AZ Gender: Male Posts: 53 '02 Tacoma dbl cab Prerunner 2002 Double Cab 2 inch lift with SAW's on front, AAL on rear	ttt You mentioned quite a few items, did you do them all at once then see a gain in mpg? Or did it improve after one particular thing? Fill us in...

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11-17-2009, 08:17 AM	#4
L8ight Member Name: Brad Joined: Oct 2009, #24337 Location: Ft Walton BEach Fl Gender: Male Posts: 33 2002 Tacoma SR5 V6 2002 Double Cab Automatic	Well, I did the air filter first, since it looked a little old. No change. I then sea foamed the fuel tank. Felt peppier, but no improvement in economy. So I put sea foam directly into the intake, to help with the valves, intake runners, etc... Still no real improvement. So I replaced the spark plugs. I didn't see a change until I took the road trip, because I wound up towing a trailer and doing lots of in town driving. I then read that the truck runs VERY rich during warm up. Considering my daily commute is about 3 miles... it was no wonder the truck never got up to operating temps. That likely really really hurt my economy, as well as fouling the plugs faster. The speed limit on the way here varies between 25 and 40 mph, and with several stop signs, lights, etc... it really started to make sense. The road trip gave me allot of hope. I nearly sold the truck, because I was so disgusted with the poor economy. Even my old 85 dodge full sized van got about that economy, and feels more plated on the road. I'm certain that's because my Taco has the off road package, relatively narrow tires and has a higher center of gravity. That van just drives real nice, never feels like its gonna tip the way my Taco does. I'm now happy to have my Taco, but I may still buy a cheap econo box for just running around town. I like driving it, but the brakes and handling are very truck-like(I know, DUH right?!) With my old car (little turbo bug) I could haul butt, park real easy, never worry about being able to stop, and still made mid 30s fuel economy... I was spoiled rotten! I'll get used to slowing down, and I don't mind it so much.... it was about time I did. Thanks again guys, I appreciate all the suggestions and info.