How do I Increase My Fuel Efficiency

[Benn1e]

Hi Guys,

I have a '92 4Runner/ Surf with the 3VZ–E (3.0L V6) Engine & I'd like to know how i could make it more fuel efficient?
I've topped up all the regular fluids, and done a minor service (Oil + Oil Filter + Radiator Flush + New Coolant) and everything seems to be running smoothly.

I've herd changing the air filter can give you more performance - is that true?

I've also been told that if i install something after my air filter that will make my air 'vortex' and that i will get better fuel efficiency - is that true?

Are there any other ways i could make my truck more fuel efficient? (I've been told that fuel enhancers and magnets don't work)

Cheers

Ben

[jetwhine]

Bennie,

Ya fuel enhansers, magnets and the rotation of the earth don't do much for fuel efficiency. As far as I'm concerned you are asking for 2 different things. There are tradeoffs with both. A stock Toyota tries to give you the best of both worlds. Once you deviate from that, then you either trade off efficiency or performance.

[Runner Rider]

there are many threads asking this same thing, there is not much you can do to get more efficiency. you can get a better air filter and get 2-4 mpg and buy a $600+ set of headers and get another 4-5 but you wont ever get back the money you put in it. the vortex theoreticaly should work, but it doesnt its just a sales pitch. the best thing you can do to get better mpg is use better fuel. premium gets the best mpg but now it is not worth the extra money. you can get some fuel system cleaner and regularly change oil thats about the best you can do

[Benn1e]

Originally Posted by jetwhine

Bennie,

Ya fuel enhansers, magnets and the rotation of the earth don't do much for fuel efficiency. As far as I'm concerned you are asking for 2 different things. There are tradeoffs with both. A stock Toyota tries to give you the best of both worlds. Once you deviate from that, then you either trade off efficiency or performance.

- LOL@ Jetwhine. cheers for the input mate. I'm not worried about performance, I'm after efficiency. Any suggestions other then the obvious such as driving it smoothly, having the right tyre pressure & reducing drag such as bull bars, tow bars and weathershields?

[Benn1e]

Originally Posted by Runner Rider

there are many threads asking this same thing, there is not much you can do to get more efficiency. you can get a better air filter and get 2-4 mpg and buy a $600+ set of headers and get another 4-5 but you wont ever get back the money you put in it. the vortex theoreticaly should work, but it doesnt its just a sales pitch. the best thing you can do to get better mpg is use better fuel. premium gets the best mpg but now it is not worth the extra money. you can get some fuel system cleaner and regularly change oil thats about the best you can do

- Runner Rider, Thanks for the input mate. Ill enquire about the better air filter. The headers would be a bit out of my league at the moment.

I've been using Premium fuel for the last 15 tanks.. however, I've found it's not SLIGHTLY better mpg??!! Hardley worth buying??!!

[jetwhine]

Benn1e,

With the 4runners they are a heavy rig. With a four wheel drive rig there is not much you can do to enhance them. The headers are a good investment as they keep those 2 rear left and right cylinders cooler and keep the head gaskets from blowing pre maturely. But it is allot of work to install. I agree with RunnerRider put a good K&N air filter in it and that would probably be the best thing for it.

[tom1794]

Assuming the 'runner has auto. locking hubs (I don't know what a 4Runner/"Surf" is), they can be replaced with manual hubs, with a 3 mpg increase.

[ZAchole]

I removed my catalytic converter, and gained a little over 1 mpg. Like tom1794 said, manual locking hubs up front can help some too. Everything else I can think of has been covered.