Improve Fuel Mileage for '03 LC??

[Mo'sRig]

Hey all! Just purchased our first TLC less than 6 hours ago and am stoked. However, my wife is less than impressed with the fuel mileage. We purchased the vehicle knowing that we were sacrificing gas mileage for a larger, safer, more durable ride, but I am wondering if there are any accessories that do help improve average gas mileage even the slightest.
As I'm sure you know, it has the 4.7L V8.

Thanks for the advice in advance!

 

[dclee]

This may sound counter-intuitive (or not), but I found that running premium fuel actually increased mileage to the point that it was cheaper (based on miles per dollar) to run premium than regular unleaded (which also runs fine in the engine). The 2UZ-FE just seems to run more efficiently with the better gas.

YMMV...

 

[1loudLX]

Welcome, heres the 'mud salute!

Ok now that that is out of the way. Fuel mileage sucks no matter which way you look at it. But with buying premium, you can increase your tank mileage over what out weighs the price of the fuel. Just be easy with the throttle from a stand still, takes lots of fuel if you want to get a nearly 3 ton truck up to speed fast...i know, i just watched my fuel tank drop on the highway.

Anyways, just be light accelerating, and watch ahead for slowing traffic. Not only will you save mileage, but you will reduce wear on your brakes by letting off the throttle early. I think i should listen to my own advice, im always full throttle or braking, hah.



Also, you just bought your truck and within 6 hours posted on mud? You future looks bright

 

[uHu]

#1: Keep the cross-bars off the roof. They decrease gas mileage 5-10 % on the highway, depending on the speed.
#2: Keep the tire pressure up.
#3: (as mentioned already) Watch your driving habits. Take it easy, and look/think far ahead.
That will do it, at least on this side of the great puddle.

Accessories?
What about a brick,
UNDER the accelerator.

 

[Jim_Chow]

This may sound counter-intuitive (or not), but I found that running premium fuel actually increased mileage to the point that it was cheaper (based on miles per dollar) to run premium than regular unleaded (which also runs fine in the engine). The 2UZ-FE just seems to run more efficiently with the better gas.

YMMV...

I found the same thing...I use 91 all the time. I have a coworker w/ a FJ cruiser who tells me she gets better fuel economy running chevron 89 over another brand w/ the same octane rating. BTW, I only use chevron (or shell if I can't get chevron). If you don't remove the roof rail cross bars, at least push them all the way rearward. Keep windows rolled up, slow & steady acceleration, coast as much as you can (like once you see the light turn red and you're 1/4 mi away). Oh, the engine oil grade made a difference for me. I run a synthetic (M1 delvac 5w40 or M1 0w40; M1 10w30 didn't fare as well for me [5-10% lower mpg]).

What kind of mpg's are you getting vs. your expectations?

 

[Mo'sRig]

What kind of mpg's are you getting vs. your expectations?

Unknown at this time due to just purchasing yesterday. Our expectations were not that high going into the purchase. We knew we would be sacrificing MPG for a great vehicle. I just didn't know if there were any aftermarket accessories that might help (ie. air filter, exhaust, etc...).

Thanks for the tips. I will definetly remove the crossbars and try like hell to keep the foot off of the gas.

 

[Da Hapa]

To add to what's been said already...

If you're not using the third row seats, pull them out. Weight is the enemy of braking, acceleration, and yes... fuel mileage.

There are a myriad of cold air intakes, exhaust and even header options available. Some people swear that they get better mileage after these changes and while I'm sure they make more power, my personal experience is that they don't make any difference in mileage.

I know for a fact that I'm making more power and torque in my NSX thanks to the exhaust I installed but my mileage is worse because I can't keep my foot out of it to hear the motor sing

 

[LXPearl]

Welcome to mud. The 03 is a very good model year.

The 03 with the 5 spd can get better mpg than the earlier models. As mentioned earlier, easy starts and stops help a lot. On the highway, going over 70 mph seems to have a negative effect, though some have done OK up to 75.

Premium seems to help most people enough to make it worth the extra cost. I also think it gives better torque, thus easier get up and go. I also use the toptier.com suppliers (Shell and Chevron are on the list).

I have changed over to Redline synthetics in the drive train (incl ATF) and use their SI-1 fuel treatment to keep the engine running clean.

While I have gotten as much as 20 mpg on trips, it is infrequent; so I expect about 16. Wind direction, road conditions, traffic, and traveling speed all play a part.

I ran 35 psi when I had tires rated for 35 max. I now have 44 psi rated tires and I am running them about 37-40. I will be taking trip soon at 40 psi, so I will see how they do.

 

[dclee]

What kind of mpg's are you getting vs. your expectations?

Jim, I get pretty much the EPA rating (14/17). Running Regular that goes down quite a bit, more like 11/14.

 

[donjuanmiguel]

Hey all! Just purchased our first TLC less than 6 hours ago and am stoked. However, my wife is less than impressed with the fuel mileage. We purchased the vehicle knowing that we were sacrificing gas mileage for a larger, safer, more durable ride, but I am wondering if there are any accessories that do help improve average gas mileage even the slightest.
As I'm sure you know, it has the 4.7L V8.

Thanks for the advice in advance!

Make sure you're not driving in 4 like I did for a couple of months. That really sapped my mpg. Now I'm living large getting 14.6 in town and 17 on hwy driving in D.

Boy, I still feel dumb about that.

 

[KathmanduCruiser]

I found the same thing...I use 91 all the time. I have a coworker w/ a FJ cruiser who tells me she gets better fuel economy running chevron 89 over another brand w/ the same octane rating. BTW, I only use chevron (or shell if I can't get chevron). If you don't remove the roof rail cross bars, at least push them all the way rearward. Keep windows rolled up, slow & steady acceleration, coast as much as you can (like once you see the light turn red and you're 1/4 mi away). Oh, the engine oil grade made a difference for me. I run a synthetic (M1 delvac 5w40 or M1 0w40; M1 10w30 didn't fare as well for me [5-10% lower mpg]).

What kind of mpg's are you getting vs. your expectations?

I slid the front roof cross bar to the back over the weekend before setting out on my looooooooong drive. I did notice improved gas mileage. One tank of gas gave me 16mpg, which is the most I have received so far. In winter, with the cross bar in the front, I used to average as little as 12mpg on the highway.

Next, I am going to take both the crossbars out.

Additionally, what psi do you run the tires around? I upped it last weekend from 32 to 35. I did not notice any additional roughness. What psi is recommended? Should I go by what is recommended by Toyo or by what is written in the tire?

 

[e9999]

welcome to the site!

best thing you can do for mpg is drive like a grandma... Everything else pales compared to that.

 

[Jim_Chow]

I slid the front roof cross bar to the back over the weekend before setting out on my looooooooong drive. I did notice improved gas mileage. One tank of gas gave me 16mpg, which is the most I have received so far. In winter, with the cross bar in the front, I used to average as little as 12mpg on the highway.

Next, I am going to take both the crossbars out.

Additionally, what psi do you run the tires around? I upped it last weekend from 32 to 35. I did not notice any additional roughness. What psi is recommended? Should I go by what is recommended by Toyo or by what is written in the tire?

I use 32-33 psi, cold pressure on all tires.

 

[jditom]

I took my roof rack, running boars and 3rd row seat off.
Revo's air pressure at 36 lbs. X 4.
We drive the smaller RX around the city as much as possible and use the LC on the highway as much as possible.

Of course the usuall stuff like clean air filter, tune up etc. O2 sensors if they are old.

 

[e9999]

snip

Additionally, what psi do you run the tires around? I upped it last weekend from 32 to 35. I did not notice any additional roughness. What psi is recommended? Should I go by what is recommended by Toyo or by what is written in the tire?

best is to check with tire manufacturer for the exact kind of tire and the weight they'd carry.
psi on door jamb is not relevant except for OEM tire I would think
psi on tire is the max

(just don't get Cary started on tire pressure for LT tires... )

 

[9toys]

Driving technique is the biggest factor, as most everyone above has stated. Time redlights, ease away from stops, keep it under 70, etc. My 99 with 120k never did enough better on 93 octane to matter so i stick to 87. (I seem to be in the minority here). My 99's mileage seems to get better with age. I used to get 14 to 16mpg but now on the last 25K I'm getting 16-17 overall. It's like the engine is just now really breaking in. However, I rarely get better than 18, even on long haul trips. I use 10w30 oil because of the heat here. I go to Big Bend Natl Park a lot and the temp is usually in the 100-110 degree range.
Headers and dual exhaust may help but you would have to drive a zillion miles to offset the initial expense. i tried a trd air filter in my '04 tundra and it only made it louder...no additional power or mileage increase. A unichip in the tundra made shifts much better(no power falloff between gears) but if it improved performance or mileage, it is negligable. This is a moot point with the cruiser as it's ecu is tuned much better than the tundra and already shifts flawlessly. I too have removed the 3rd seat, though the only noticeable difference is the increased space in the back.

 

[e9999]

I tried 91 on long freeway trips with the 03 and I didn't see any significant difference compared to 87

 

[spressomon]

I tried 91 on long freeway trips with the 03 and I didn't see any significant difference compared to 87

If your freeway driving was relatively flat at or near sea level this would not surprise me. However if your freeway travels are at elevation in and around mountains, if your experiences is like mine, you will see a slight MPG and power difference.

 

[aaronvelasquez]

I put 35" mudders on my '04 and saw my mileage go way down. Granted the computer was off because of the larger tires, but even calculating the old fashioned way, mileage went from 16 to 11. Hummer territory. So put slicks on it!

 

[SWUtah]

I put 35" mudders on my '04 and saw my mileage go way down. Granted the computer was off because of the larger tires, but even calculating the old fashioned way, mileage went from 16 to 11. Hummer territory. So put slicks on it!

Unless you adjust your odo for the increase in tire size you will never know your MPG