Improving MPG.

Hi yall, I'm Bill. I just picked up a 98 Tacoma 2wd auto with 2.7. The current mpg is about 16. I'm looking for ideas to improve that. So far all I've done is install an Afe air filter. Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

clean maf sensor and throttle body

 

drive slower

 

Ok, thanks I'll try cleaning the maf & throttle body and see if I get any improvement. As for driving slower, that won't help.

 

Just make sure you let it dry completely before you put it back in. They aren't cheap.

 

And your catalytic converter can cause a decrease in mpg and power. Mine is stopped up and I haven't had time to mess with it yet since I don't drive my truck much. They also aren't cheap. If you need to test if it's stopped up just pull out your o2 sensor and drive it up the road and see if it has more power. You'll need to un-hook your battery to get rid of the engine light or clear it with a code reader though.

 

Thanks again, I'll look into the cat con as well. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've read that I should be getting somewhere in the mid 20 mpgs.

 

Yeah with the 2.7. I get around 14 with the 3.4.

 

Not just driving slower. But developing good habits. As long as routine stuff like plug and filter replacement, keeping proper air pressure in tires etc. are done that is really it. There is no magic pixie dust or parts that can be put in there that will make enough difference to pay for themselves.

 

That sounds pretty low for the 3.4l, are you running bigger tires/armor? I average 17 with the supercharger, 20 on the highway if I'm easy on it.

 

Just 31x10.50r15s. No armor yet, just a toolbox which isn't very heavy. My cat is stopped up
And I just noticed you have light racing ucas. I was thinking about getting them, do they give you much more travel than the stock ones?

 

Ngk spark plugs and make sure to gap them.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mpg-mods.34594/#post-547096

 

I haven't noticed much on extended travel but I'm also only running 5100s...I haven't hit too many trails yet in these new UCAs either. But with the lift, my city driving feels much more stable and I like that their greaseable, my stock UCAs had torn boots and were getting dry (non serviceable). I really like them so far

 

I was thinking 5100s or 5125s with those control arms and dakars or all-pro expos. Just wondering if it would be off-road capable. I don't drive it much anymore and don't have the money to spend on LT or a good MT setup, just wanting something to be able to take on trails and drive down the road comfortably.

 

Oh they're definitely capable, I've hit a few trails one of which was the MJT (Miller Jeep Trail) which is a renowned black diamond 4x4 trail out here. I ran it the day after I got my SPC light racing UCA's installed and they performed great.

I never really stopped to take a look at the travel I was getting though but I have no complaints about the UCAs, definitely an improvement over stock. Maybe not as good as some uniball UCA's but they're almost half the cost.

Oh and they're much better for alignments too if you're lifted

 

That's good to know. I know this thread is about mpg haha but do you think 5125s would be better than 5100s since 5100s are maxed out at about 3" of lift and you don't get much down travel? I don't really know which 5125 to order though. I just don't want to spend but around 1k because I have more immediate concerns haha.

 

And Bill, I have heard of people on here removing their charcoal canister on their 4-bangers and getting better mpg but I don't know if you'd want to do that or what the real benefits are.

 

I don't know much about the 5125s but I would say yes since they are the better shock.

Depending on where he's located that would make a truck fail a smog test but some states don't do that

 

20-22 mpg
In my 2.7 4 door
Constant 80mph
And AC on