What kind of milage with mods?

I just read a thread (can't remember now whether it was on this forum) about the OX sensors. The guy seemed pretty knowledgeable. He said his Toyota tech buddy told him that the O2 sensors should be changed every 75K miles, in order to keep the vehicle running at max efficiency and keep the mpg where it should be, whether the "check engine" light is on or not. He indicated his mpg improved by about 2mpg after changing the sensor located near the front cat converter, even though his "check engine" light was not illuminated. That's no small potatoes with gas prices what they are now. I'll be changing my sensor next week.

 

yeah but our o2 sensors arent cheap...like you said about your intake how far can you drive on the ols sensors before it costs the same in fuel.... say you pick up 2mpg if you drove 1000 mi a week and got 18mpg normally 55.5 gallons of fuel x 2.76 a gallon here =153.18 1000 a week getting 20mpg 50 gallons X 2.76 a gallon = 138.00...you would save $15.18 every 1000 miles... o2 sensors are like $150 a piece sooo in 19762 mi you would pay for the o2 sensors vs the gas and you dont even know if you first sensors were bad..... i dunno

 

Yeah, I know you are right. The same could be said for the exhaust system that was $450+ and the intake system that was $220+, and the headers I am considering at $360+. But then it is such a challenge to see what all you can do to maximize the efficiency and mpg! Besides, the gas companies have been gouging for so long that I am all for anything that will reduce my output to them in any way. Besides, my CEL is already on. All I have to do is drop by a Checker Auto or Pep Boys and have it checked to see what codes show to figure out whether it is bad. Since I just installed the intake system two weeks ago, I am going to try cleaning the MAF first, to see what that does.

 

Just to be a PITA and I have to get a post in to get rid of the nag screen anyways...

'04 2wd, Base Taco, I mean REALLY base. Great cassette

29.568 (Phoenix to Sorry Vista) over 270 miles
1100' to 4700' elevation

30.532 (SV to Tucson to SV) (over 210 miles round trip)

Both on OE crappo 205/75 Firestones, with only a K&N panel filter.
Average 75-80mph both trips.

My low mile 96 Taco never did better than 27 in its 87K miles life.
If I lived in snow country, I'd be suffering with the rest of you 4x4 rats.

 

Well, I saved myself $150 on Saturday. I got a can of carb cleaner and sprayed my MAF real well, then disconnected the battery to reset the sensors. Light is now out and my truck runs noticeably better. I had some pinging before in 5th gear at cruise, while the Check Engine light was on. Now that it is reset, there is no pinging and the pickup has noticeably more torque. So, evidently my sensor is functioning just as it should and doesn't need replacement. Apparently the oil on the new AFE filter contaminated the MAF, causing incorrect readings to go to the computer, which was causing the computer to incorrectly adjust the mixture, causing the CEL to come on. After cleaning the MAF, everything is happy. I am keeping the can of carb cleaner in my in-truck tool kit, just in case it happens again.

I'll check my mileage on the trip home from DC to Pittsburgh this weekend and see how much difference it makes.

 

I cleaned the MAF with a can of carb cleaner on Saturday, then disconnected the battery to reset the sensors. The Check Engine Light (CEL) went out and stayed out and the pickup ran noticeably better. While the light was on I was getting a little pinging while cruising in 5th gear and when accelerating. I just thought it was low quality gas. Anyway, now the pickup has noticeably more torque. I'm going to check my mileage again this weekend on a trip from DC to Pittsburgh and see if it makes any difference. I'll report my results.

I think the problem was the oil on the new AFE air filter contaminated the MAF sensor, which then gave incorrect readings to the computer, which then incorrectly adjusted the fuel-air mixture, causing the pinging and the CEL to light up. Everything is happy now.

 

hey thernie with my free intake mod and $45 K&N filter, hacksawed exhaust with $19.99 thrush turbo muffler I'm getting 28mpg he he he

 

When I grow up I want to be like you. How do you do that? What is the rest of the setup? Year, engine, 4wd, tires, gears, trans, manual lockers?

 

its a 1996 tacoma 4x4 regular cab 5-spd manual with the freeway 3.58 gears and 235/75/15 tires.i did forget to put (but its in my header panel) that the truck also has the deckplate mod I LOVE it the whole thing reeally works well...once I save some money I'm going with a header and dual exhaust using small 2" pipe for tailpipes...just put my 3" body lift on today along with 35's... will get suspension on within the week and then figure out milage again

 

With the "deckplate mod" I take it you have a V-6. What is a deckplate mod anyway? The 3.58s are going to be a bit of a low ratio for 35" tires! I can see why you're interested in my 4.30s. Will the body lift keep you from having to cut clearance in the body for the tires? I would like to go with 35s eventually, but I don't want to cut up the body. I have been under the impression that 33s would fit with no body lift and no cutting, as long as a 2.5-3" suspension lift was used. I guess what I am asking, in so many words, is what has to be done to clear 35 inch tires?

 

yeah a cheap 2.5" suspension lift and cheap 3" body lift clears 35x1250's no prob...and yes thats why i wanted the 4.30's lol mines a 4 cyl man I have posted numerous times about 2.7L mods..lol or didnt you pay attention

 

Wasn't paying attention. Are you sure your figures are right on the mileage? That's awesome! Guess what! Since I cleaned my MAF and fixed my CE light, my mileage has dropped to 19.6 from 21.6. I guess the malfunctioning MAF had the engine running lean, which gave me the better mileage, but with a little preignition under load. Can't win for losing! I spent over $600 on intake and exhaust systems that were supposed to increase my hp and mileage, and I'm sitting here at 2.4 mpg under the factory rating.

Just goes to show you. When you spend money on your ride, do it because you want cool stuff on it, not to get better mileage to save money.

 

thats what I always say...people put $$$ in mileage improvers...i put $$$ in the gas tank and performance/visual components mine is basically the best MPG 4x4 reg cab,4cyl,manual,high gears,tiny tires(well used to be)

 

Well, here's the latest from my gas mileage. I fixed the CE light by cleaning the MAF, which made the pickup run like a top, but my mileage went from 21.6 to 19.6 highway. Yep, that's right. With my MAF malfunctioning my engine must have been running too lean. I have to admit it was pinging a bit on hills and under load. Oh well. You win some, you lose some.

 

Your computer might need some time to relearn. Recheck your mileage after a week or so.

 

well my MPG dropped to 24 with 35's... need to get better gears and get engine back in power band... i can get brand new 4.56 or 4.88 (preffered) for like $430 all way around... so i call the junkyard that listed have 4.56 gears for tacoma (the factory ones) they want $500 for the front carrier and $400 for the rear carrier...not whole axles just gears and carriers...no lockers...no limited slip... i was like... ok sorry not interested

 

When I cleaned the MAF, I disconnected the battery to reset the computer, so it shouldn't have had to "learn" very much. Maybe it is still working on the math. If it is anything like me, math takes a while. I have a four-hour drive home from DC today, so we'll check again.

 

i check mine every tank nd get roughly 18mpg but i have 31x10.5 and cvruisr about 70. if i go any slower i feel like i have to give it more gas to keep up so my pedals not down as far @ 70 as it is @ 65

 

I seem to be getting about 19.6 on average. These last two trips to/from DC I didn't pay too much attention to holding a particular speed. Anywhere from 60-75. My truck runs like a top at any of those speeds, but my diff gearing is pretty low (4.30), so mine never feels like it's lugging, except going up hill. Even so, it has to be a pretty steep hill for me to have to gear down to 4th. That's with 31X10.50s. Like I said before, at 65mph I'm doing above 2600rpm. At 75, I'm doing above 3000. While my mpg is lower at higher speeds, the exhaust noise is lower. It is much more comfortable for long drives at 3000rpm, soundwise, inside the pickup than at 2600. While the Magnaflow muffler is great for around town, the constant drone gets annoying on the highway. I may end up changing it out for a real muffler with sound-deadening material inside.

 

i'm trying to gather some specific data to really analyze the trends on gasmileage based on several factors and add to the report started by Mav and 007Taco. If you think you might be willing to trak a tank or 2 check out this thread and help out. I'm hoping to get as many data points as possible so we can see some real trends and eliminate as many variables as possible.
Thanks
James

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/performance-tuning/4052-volumized-gas-mileage-trending.html