Price of "mods" to improve fuel economy VS cost !

Doing some math here, this is what i found...
If you ride an average of 15,000 miles per year
If you only get 16 mpg, gas at $2.80c, than it will cost you $2,625 per year in gas.
But if you can improve it to:
20mpg, gas at $2.80c, you will spent $2,1000 per year in gas.
So...
It means that If you spend $500 per year in "Mods" to improve gas milage, as long as you can improve it by 4 mpg average you are ok (brake even), but if you spend more $$$ in Engine mods and bed cover, etc.
It may take you around 3 years +, just to brake even from what you spent vs what you will save in gas...
Is it worth it????? Has anyone improve their Gas milage 3 to 4 MPG with "mods" ???
What do you think???
Cheers
David

 

In my opinion, if you plan to keep the truck for awhile, then it makes sense. However, by doing simple bolt on upgrades, you can only expect a maximum of maybe 3 to 4 mpg.

Although multiple upgrades compliment each other, they don't have a multiplying effect. For example, say either an intake or an exhaust will improve mpg by 2. However, if you install both the intake and the exhaust, don't assume you'll get 4 mpg...you may only get 3. Any thing else (tires, tonneau, etc) may only get you another .5 - 1 mpg total. If you want more, you'll have to start shedding weight off the truck, and you still may only get another .5-1 mpg more.

 

Congrats. You just showed why the Prius doesn't make sense.

As for improving mileage through mods: Diminishing returns. Toyota has already engineered the shit out of these trucks to maximize mileage without ruining other aspects. The best thing you can do for mileage is keep up on your maintenance and drive with a light foot. A tune may help slightly as well.

 

I do have to disagree here...manufacturers engineer vehicles to be quiet and comfortable for the occupants. In order to be quiet, you have to restrict the intake and exhaust flow...by increasing flow via upgrades, you improve the performance of the truck. Engines are more capable than how they are spec'd by the manufacturer because they did a trade off to make it quiet and comfortable.

I do agree that driving with a light foot and keeping it maintained is a great idea. Simple things like tire pressure and synthetic gear oils can slightly improve things as well.

 

*cough*

Also, opening flow may help improve your mileage but likely at the cost of power. Again, what would you like to trade? Going to larger diameter exhaust piping in Tacomas usually results in loss of low end Tq/hp.

 

no way bolt ons are going to give you +4mpgs...nice try though!

 

I wish i had the time to ponder these questions.

I just put gas in, push right pedal till i need to put more gas in.

 

LOL, i agree, These trucks were already built to maximise Gas mileage. Want to save money on gas, get an economy car. You can save a little by driving slower and running premium Fuel.

 

x2. I check mileage in my Taco about twice a year just to make sure there's not anything wrong mechanically.

X2 again. I have a Toyota Matrix for day to day driving. In my opinion everyone needs an appliance knock around car to get them around town, soak up parking lot door dings, and keep fuel costs down. Just be sure you get something reliable.

My favorite thing to do with it lately is to park diagonally next to those douchebags with brand new/expensive cars that park diagonally to keep people from parking next to them. I always ease my knockaround in to about 6 inches clear of the driver's side door if I can. These fuckers have to crawl in through the passenger side, and I couldn't give a shit what they do to my Matrix. Bless that little car.

 

I like this guy! In a totally non-gay way. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

 

I'm buying a motocycle

 

the best 2 fuel mods that can be done is fill the tires way up with air, hardly touch the gas, don't drive.

 

When it comes to getting better MPGs, I can't think of any reasonable set of mods ($1500 or less) that can come anywhere close to just changing your driving habits. If you're serious about it and want/need some motivation then pick up a Scangauge or similar device to "train" with and track progress. You can find these for sale periodically here or other forums for US$110-130... and if it only improves your mileage 1.5mpg it will pay for itself within a year.

 

That is great advice. I don't have the scanguage, but come on, the only mod that will increase mpg any calculable amount is to modify your driving methods. You don't design trucks with so much an emphasis on quiet and comfort that you sacrifice mpg an hp.

 

i did the secondary filter(free), k&n drop in($45), and bought a magnaflow catback used ($100). switched the engine, tranny, tcase, and diffs to synthetic ($75)

for around $220 i got 5mpg increase and the synthetic will make things last longer. longer oil change interval and increased longevity pays for the extra cost of synthetic and the synthetic is a better lubricant and i saw increases in mileage.

 

x2...it's just a fact of life that a truck isn't the best on gas mileage. But for a few bucks you can improve it and get a turn on your investment.

 

Do we have dyno sheets around here that show what you write? And how large is large? Stock is 2.25 right. What is aftermarket 2.5?

 

Talk to Chris4x4 or search around. The effects of increased diameter exhaust piping have been gone over pretty thoroughly on here.

Stock is 2.25, TRD Catback is 2.5, aftermarket may go other sizes depending on brand. Most of them cause a loss in power.

The two that seem to provide a reliable power increase (minor though it may be) are Dynomax and TRD.

 

I'm not buying it. Please all members that saw a 5 mpg increase from any mods they have done - please, now is you chance to chime in.

 

read my last post.. post 16