Performance parts paying for themselves

I've read here and there that a tonnaeu cover for my truck will yield something like 10% savings on fuel (2.2mpg, assuming I get 22mpg all the time).

If I calculate that right, and assuming I buy a decent cover, I have to put over 50,000miles on the vehicle with the cover in place in order for it to pay for itself.

Am I wrong with my calculations there? That sounds like a ridiculous amount just to save 2.2mpg.

 

If you're buying a tonneau cover just to improve mileage, don't buy a tonneau cover.

Want to have some real fun with green-faddies? Calculate how long it takes a Prius to save you money over a Civic or Corolla of half the price.

 

That would mean your buying a ≈$680 cover. Sounds about right. If that's the only reason to buy one, don't. But I like mine because it locks the tailgate, is water-tight, and I suppose it helps with gas mileage.

 

Clark it is the gift that keeps on giving.

 

helps with mileage????? yeah right! I dont see any difference with mine at all. So I am with everyone else dont buy one because you read that it helps with the mileage.

 

Well, having a cover that's water tight is a decent advantage, but I don't think I'm going to spring for a cover just yet if that's the only reason.

What sort of performance modifications *do* pay for themselves quickly? I know a K&N air filter is considered to be one that pays for itself pretty quickly, but are there others?

 

a de-leading device for my foot

 

I actually did some math the other day
Its not really a performance part and can work for both 2nd gen and 1st Tacomas...

Winch bumper
Calculate one small accident and the $900 bumper just payed for itself, plus if you actually use the winch, and the ability not having to worry about messing up your front end over little things....


Also tonnaeu actually help 10%? My truck mpg went down with a cap on... little heavier but still

 

None, really.

Getting some "performance" accessories up front could arguably save you coin down the road. I got the towing package on my truck from factory primarily to get the tranny and oil cooler, not because I really tow much.

Stainless catback to prevent rusting and replacement of exhaust down the line?

They're called toys for a reason mang.

 

That Myth has been busted. I watched a Myth-busters episode where they did gas saving Myths and the Tonnaeu cover was busted. they didn't see any difference with the cover hell the air just went right over the tailgate at high speeds.

So if your buying one the that reason alone I say save your money.

 

Bed covers do not yield any gas millage improvements, on any truck. It's a myth that's been busted time and again. The airflow gets disrupted actually inducing more drag than without it. If you want a cover for securing cargo, looks, or keeping water off of cargo... they're great for that, and that alone.

K&N filters (AFE Pro Dry is better tbh) pay for themselves only really in having to buy one filter for the life of the vehicle and reusing it. Any potential gas saving is minimal at best, if it even exists.

Exhaust... again nominal at best and not worth the cost for gas saving alone.

There are really no major modifications that will yield better improvements for gas mileage on our trucks other than basics (speed, slower acceleration, keeping weight out, using quality gas, lighter tires at proper inflation, ect).

 

Well, save for looking like a fool in front of a thousand Tacoma owners, I have at least saved myself the price of a cover.

 

x2 The air flowing off your cab goes into the bed a creates a "turbine wheel" so to speak that the air stops going into the bed and flows over this "wheel" and then tumbles/falls off at the end of the bed

 

I wouldn't go that far, it's a very common misconception. There's a lot of miss-information out there, hence why it was good to ask the question

Also to note... I had an undercover on my 08. I loved it, did it's job well, hell I could stand on it even. Did everything it was supposed to do. There was absolutely no difference in mpg consumption however. lol

 

No difference with tonnaeo cover
or with leaving tailgate down.

 

The best gas mileage performance mod you can do is the eggshell mod. Drive like there's an egg under your foot and watch your mileage increase.

 

Agree with all the input that the cost of any mod will not gain enough mpg to pay for itself over any reasonable timeframe. Had covers on my last two trucks (Dakota & Tacoma) and neither showed any improvement. Neither did exhaust or air filter/intake mods, neither did a Superchips.

But, you may want to consider a Scangauge ($160), or one of the other MPG-o-meters (some are less than $100) that plug into the OBD-II port. None of these improve your milage, but they allow you to see what driving habits help or hinder mpg's in real time so you can alter those habits if you do really want to improve it. I know using my SGII I can see drop-offs due to wind, speed, fast vs. slow start offs, etc.

 

DITO....

another thing you gotta keep in mind its supposed to be more aerodynamic...but adding weight also means more gas to accelerate from a dead stop...

there's always pros/cons...

 

Probably the only think that will actually improve your mileage. I agree with everyone else, don't buy a tonneau just for the gas mileage increase because you may not see it. If you do, consider it an added bonus.

 

I can def tell a big mpg difference when i have my undercover on...( solid 1pc sealed watertight closure )