MPG Mods

After about 2 weeks of driving with the afe pro dry filter, charcoal filter and intake resonator removed I've seen little to no change in mpg. The first week I drove it pretty hard to test out power (definitely felt some gains) and got a little less than 21 mpg. The second week I babied the throttle and I averaged almost 25 mpg (which is more normal for me). The fact that I got to keep my mpg up while gaining some power and a louder intake, I'd say these were pretty successful mods.

 

So you normally drove conservative and got close to 25, then beat on it like you never do and felt you definitely had more power? Dyno tests don't agree.

Put it all back and beat on it and you'll get 21 and have the same power.

 

I'll weigh in. Your power and gas mileage will not increase by removing the secondary air filter or adding a performance air filter. The Toyota filter is very efficient and works quite well. To increase your gas milege do your scheduled maintenance and adjust your driving habits.

For those that claim an increase in HP after they took out their secondary filter and added a performance filter by the butt dynamometer I call bullshit. Your ass is not a HP gauge. Put it on a dynamometer and prove it.

 

I wouldn't say the gains were significant but it definitely feels like it can pick up a bit quicker. But it could all be in my head too

 

For all the 1st gen guys W/v6, Im curious what u are getting for mpg? I recently added a k&N air filter...seems to help a bit. Next I need to find a decent vsv valve for my evap to clear the pesky check engine...

 

So you gained some power, which felt evident by driving hard and getting 21 mpg, which makes some sense. More throttle = more power and fewer mpg.
Then you babied it and averaged 25 mpg, which also makes sense. Less throttle = less power and more mpg.
But this statement of keeping your mpg up while gaining power at the same time, does not make sense.
You can use extra power and get fewer mpg, or baby it and get more mpg. Not both, not usually. Your case may be an exception, IDK.

This thread is the 4-cylinder forum -- not sure how many replies you'll get from V6 people but I guess we will see.

 

I guess what I meant was that I felt more power than before when I gave it more throttle. But when driving normally, it didn't change my mpg. If that makes sense. But after some more time driving, I would say it's probably shifted the power from low end to more mid end. A few other guys on another thread had mentioned the change after removing the intake resonator and I'd have to agree. I'll be installing lce headers this weekend. Hopefully I'll see some good results!

 

The K&N are great on vehicles with carbs like my 03 Harley. But on anything with a MAF sensor the oil vapor will collect on the MAF making it less efficient and require frequent cleaning. In my experience most K&N filters get over oiled. The newer style dry hi-flow filters work just as well, last just as long, and are cheaper to maintain, no oil to buy.

 

Just a reminder, no air filter whether oem, or high flow will increase MPG and that is what this thread is about.

An air filter is not a mpg mod.

 

I was having issues with my 16 Tacoma. I bought the truck new with a lift and 275/65/18 E rated mud tires on there. I know there was going to be a drop in gas mileage with those bricks on there but a decrease of 3 miles per gallon was more than I was expecting. Since then I've bought new cooper AT tires in that same size that have less roll resistance, lighter and smoother. I'm getting another MPG better now. Ill be among the first to buy a new cold air intake, and exhaust systems when more products are available. I'm definitely losing money even in the long run but I can sleep at night knowing my baby taco can breath better. Other than those modifications I don't know what more you could do.

 

Both intake and exhaust may possibly allow your engine to "breath better" as you say, but only near the peak rpm, not in any rpm range that you would be in if you wanted good mpg. The exhaust may actually reduce power in the lower rpm range where you really need the power, resulting in using more fuel as you rev higher to get going.

More air required more gas, those mods can't help mpg, you can sleep easy knowing your engine is breathing just fine for mpg.

Unless you frequently drive at wide open throttle, most of the time your engines breathing is severely restricted by the throttle plate not you intake.

 

Thank you worthywads. This is the #1 thing that many people don't realize when trying to get the best fuel economy. The main restrictor for airflow through the engine is the throttle valve. This is what creates manifold vacuum, BTW. So all those modifications to move more air through the engine -- such as air filters and headers and loud mufflers -- they will likely produce more power, but ONLY if the throttle valve is completely open. And more power almost never means better fuel economy. I put in an aFe Pro Dry filter just because I never want to buy another air filter.

 

see this dark green Tacoma in photo to the left ? ... I just put two things on it, which gave it a verified +2mpg.... # 1 was a K&N air filter of course... but #2 was the Rugged Cover Tonnau cover over the bed , to prevent dirty air behind the cab...which, I believe really helps , even in the shorter ( mine is a 5 foot bed ) truck bed equipped models. I am happy with the gas mileage I am getting , and do not believe any other mods will help that much after these two I already did...Toyota makes a efficient truck engine , and I don't think messing with better exhaust systems will help mileage, though power may come up a bit .

 

It's been proven a K&N or any air filter doesn't improve mpg.

Tonneau cover might improve, but how have you verified +2mpg?

 

I drive the same route ( 100 mile trips on freeway ) at the same average speed , and fill the tank the same way each time to make sure the amount used is accurate. Then I did the same trip ( three different times ) with the changes , and it has improved + 2mpg. Tires were kept at 36psi all the way around.

 

I bought a ACD module from autochipsdirect.com and it gave me 3-4 MPG better right off the bat! And increased acceleration you will notice on highway (not that my 2.7L rig really gets up and goes). Definitely worth the $65! It's been AVG 24.5 since winter came to a close! Got 26MPG ONCE this Spring! New Spark plugs also helped a TON last year!

 

Hey guys, i just traded my 2012 reg can tacoma 4x4 for a 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 and I did all the tips y'all posted and im getting 27.5 mpg.! Awesome.! I have a K&N and I lifted my truck 3 inches, but of course I've been keeping the rpm's less than 2000.! Awesome guys thanks for the tips.!

 

Some reviews of this product:
https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.performancechipsdirect.com

 

Looks like a great product!

 

I have a question for you MPG gurus...

I have a 2007 DCLB on a fabtech 6inch lift w/ 33 inch mickey thompson mudtires. i get roughly 14-15 MPG with very mild driving( a mixture of city and highway never going over 65-70 mph). I've replaced the air filter and the tires are always aired up.

Will replacing the tires give me more MPG? Is there a whole lot of difference on a 33x12.5r17 vs a 285/70r17? The tires that I have on will be replaced in about a month or so... any recommendations?