Does a heavy duty bumper affect MPG.

So I just bought my 09 Taco. It's my dream car that I wanted for a long time. I am very happy with her. She came with a heavy duty bumper and as of today I'm on track of only getting 300 miles out of a full tank. If my math is right I should be getting 400-450 on the highway. Do I need to change the plugs, only has 65k on them. Or is my bumper to blame. I drive like an old man, piss off all behind me, so a heavy foot is not to blame. So.....?

CLARIFICATION: IT'S A 4 CYL. Apologize for any confusion.


Any suggestions?

 

I might have lost 1 to 1.5mpg after adding my bumper.....not sure if its due to the weight or aerodynamics.

 

Bumper adding weight and taking drag would probably be the main culprit.

 

Yes, primarily from weight. However, if the bumper has a high-clearance approach angle, as most aftermarket ones do, it'll greatly decrease your aerodynamics by allowing more air to pass under the truck.

I lost about 1.5 MPG adding my JCR to my old Cherokee.

 

I think the aerodynamics hits it the hardest. I added a few hundred pounds to my Tacoma and my mileage was basically unaffected. My bumper only added about 50-60lbs but cost me a little fuel economy.

 

Yes, you're turning an aerodynamicly challenged vehicle into a brick on wheels. Not a big loss though. Maybe average 1-2mpg

 

300 miles to a tank is pretty dam good to start with. i dont think it would be much of a difference with it as warputer says, if you plan on lifting it, dont bother worrying about the mpgs. on a side not let me know if you decided to sell it. as i wanna go with a different bumper.

 

Yes you need to probably change your plugs if it hasn't been done. As well as some other maintanence.

 

yep, the aerodynamics of the front end are destroyed with that big bar sticking out.

On the bottom you now have lots more air directed under the truck into the suspension instead of around the front.

The bug deflector doesn't help either.

 

Is there a little notch pointing upward under your headlight? If so I think that bumper is for a 12+

 

That's what I figured. The maintenance schedule makes it look like they are 100k mile plugs, but I don't know I believe that. Just did the rear diff. Planning on front diff, transfer case and transmission.

Anything else I should change?

Also, not to change subject, but I keep reading about tightening the drive shaft propeller every 5K....what does that mean?

 

No, it's a custom from Elite Off Road.

 

Will do. Thought about selling it, but it's growing on me. I got a body shop to price how much it would cost to take it back to stock, which totalled over $1300 due to all the "little" things it would need....so as of right now, I think I have to keep it. About the only option I would have is if I found someone with a stock bumper to trade.

 

looks like you have a lift and more aggressive tires than stock too?

300 miles to a tank sounds pretty good to me

 

The plugs are iridium, the schedule is 120k, I don't think you'll see any change with new plugs.

 

No lift that I know of. Would be a nice surprise though. Tires are BFG Rugged Terrain....look more aggressive than they are.

 

What else does it affect?

 

You should be on your second set of replacement plugs. If they've not been changed, it's WAY past due.

 

im sure someone on here would be thrilled to trade you even or even give you some $ for your bumper plus their stock parts... if you wanted rid of it that is.

 

Wrong, he has I4, 120K.