My 4runner is so bad on MPG

Are you a rep for KDMAX? Just curious, because a few debates have popped up over the value of tuning, and I like to tag people into those conversations who actually know what they're talking about.

I've been considering a tune for my '19 ORP. I'm really pushing it on stock gears, and wonder if a tune would be just enough to help me avoid a regear (at least until I decide if I'm going to keep this one).

True. I have heard of a few folks reporting slightly improved performance or fuel economy on 91. I think that's the exception, though. And, it probably depends on environmental factors.

In most cases, I wouldn't recommend anything other than 87, or 88.

 

I'll chime in. Get the tune.. You won't be "pushing gears" anymore

 

I am a tuner for KDMAX in the north east, PA DE MD & NJ. The newest tune has reported better mpg. That said, after you drive it post tune you may decide to not re gear. The throttle response is quite noticeable as well as the hp, torque and smoother transmission.
@hossler1788 knows first hand

 

Sounds awesome! What was the cost?

Do you know any tuners in the Midwest?

 

What's the cost for re-tuning "pretty much stock set up" 4runner?

Or should one get CAI and EXHAUST system, before considering for a re-tuning?

 

TRDTUNE@gmail.com
It appears he may cover your area.
You can look on the KDMAX Pro thread for a tuner map.

 

My price for 4Runners is $550. It may change depending on location.
A CAI and exhaust will not affect the tune. You can do this pre or post tune.
Re gearing does change the tune but there is a tune for re geared 4Runners, price of tune is same

 

Thank you!

 

You’re welcome.
Let me know if you get tuned

 

Is there an Eco light on 2020 models and newer? I swear I’ve never noticed it

 

i don’t think the 4runner allows for many opportunities to notice it. It’s a silverback in the mist

 

No idea.

Lmao! That made me laugh!!

 

The only vehicle I've ever tuned was a 2005 Mustang with the 4.0 V6.

Trying to recall the process...

I remember buying a Diablo tuner/scan tool for around $300. Then an outfit called Bama Tunes charged me $125 for a download able tune.

There were 3 settings; daily driver, performance, and race. Each was fuel specific and I only used the daily driver and performance tunes.

The car was a commuter car in Arizona, and with the performance tune, CAI, and custom exhaust, I was amazed at the increase in performance. I got a nearly 70 hp increase for just over $400. Best money I have ever spent on performance mods.

I would be interested in doing something similar with the 4Runner, but it sounds like the tune in this thread is a bit different.

 

From what I've gathered, it seems that peak power won't improve much. But, it should improve midrange and low end torque more. Some tunes also adjust the transmission's shifting. I know that's the case with the dreadful automatic on the 3rd gen Tacos.

I'm certainly intrigued. I feel like improving low end torque would definitely help fuel economy, if it kept people from using so much throttle to get up to speed. Plus, if it could reduce the amount of downshifting on the highway, that would be even better.

 

Since the tune helps find power in low rpms, it will definitely help push the larger tires. As well as help with added weight and towing. And on the highway, the passing power if great! But it does improve power through out the whole rpms. Just its more noticeable it in the low end. It pulls up hills now at 1500rpms

We all know the sluggishness of the stock 4runner, from poor throttle response, slow shifts, downshifting at every little hill to just being underpowered. That all is fixed and improved.

Don't knock it until you try it. And I can tell you, you'll enjoy it

 

It does all that and then some.

 

When it’s time for a smog test what do you do? Re-flash to the OEM setup, then afterward flash the tune again?

 

Go over to the kdmax thread and ask that. I'm in pa we don't have smog

 

The dealer/Toyota have no way to read the tune is there. The tune passes emissions and the only way the dealer would know about the tune is if you tell them.
If for some reason you want or need flashed back to stock, I as your tuner would do that free of charge. Then come back and reinstall the tune.

 

In CA the smog check stations don’t connect anything to the tailpipe anymore. It’s all done through the OBDII port, looking for errors the computer logs.

Now the ECUs are supposedly being checked for alterations from stock settings. So it seems the only way around this is to revert back to stock before a smog check then re-flash after. Repeat every two years.

https://www.carbibles.com/californi...for-ecu-tuning-in-smog-checks-this-month/?amp

https://www.motortrend.com/news/california-smog-testing-ecu-software-flash-modifications/

 

Wow! Why would anyone live in CA!?!

 

I can think of one reason lol.

 

^^ That pic made me think about a time long ago, when my wife, a friend and her son, and I were in my FJ-40 cruising up to Mount Diablo because it had snowed that night. It was the first time her son got to play in the snow. And one of the times that my Wife and I left our snowed in SoCal. Mtn. home to visit our friend in the Bay Area.
It was around the mid 1980's, Good times.

 

I've had my 2020 stock 4Runner for about 2 months now. Am averaging 17mpg city, and 21-23mpg highway at 65-70mph with low to moderate traffic. I think I could get it up to 24mpg on a long road trip with no traffic at 65mph. At 75-80 highway it fluctuates between 19-20mpg. My preference is 91 octane because the motor seems to run smoother.

 

I just filled up yesterday and got 18.9 mpg in the city, stop and go traffic and parking lots. I'm going to leave the heavy spare tire at home and keep a small air compressor in the truck. Boost MPG even more. But at least it already weighs 400 pounds less than the Limited and 350 less than a TRD Off Road job.

 

Taking the spare tire down is not going to affect your mileage. At least, not enough to ever notice. It's about 1.5% of your vehicle's weight, and it's underneath where it's not creating any wind resistance.

Having a compressor won't help if you have a blow out, or get a screw in the tire.

 

Removing the spare tire and wheel will help with MPG. I'm also removing the backseats. Tire PSI is at 38. I'm also on a diet.

 

You're also out of your mind if you think removing the spare tire will make a difference. No offense.

Also, overinflating your tires will cause them to wear prematurely which will cost you more money in the long run than any fuel savings you will ever accomplish. And, over inflating them reduces traction.

If you are that concerned about fuel economy that you must remove your spare tire in a feeble attempt to save fuel, do yourself a favor and get a different vehicle.

 

The tires are fine. Six years from now when I replace my tires I will not have driven 36,000, well below the expected tread life. There is no problem. I did this on my 100 series Land cruiser and averaged 13 to 13.5 mpg in the city on a truck rated for 12 mpg and I was using 87 octane fuel instead of the 91 it called for. No problem.

Reducing weight is key. The pig Limited edition weighs a full 400 pounds more than my SR5.

I may get the panels done in carbon fiber and have some lightweight glass blown like Porsche offers on the 911.

The truck has a payload capacity of 1,700 pounds, maybe more now that I've pulled the seats and spare tire. I'm shooting for 1 ton.

 

Reducing weight will help slightly in stop and go driving. But, removing 65 lb and risking being stranded on the side of the highway and having to call a tow truck because you got a flat is nowhere near where the risk in my opinion.

You'll spend more on carbon fiber panels than you will ever save on fuel.