How to improve fuel economy of v6 prado

[brendo81 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brendo81]

Hello fellow prado owners just wonder if anyone has some tips for improving fuel economy on my V6 prado. I am thinking of getting an exhaust system but was wondering if there was anything else possible.
Cheers

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

What economy are you getting now (eg litres per 100) ?? Personally don't think putting an exhaust on will give you great gains in economy for the $$ it will cost to supply and fit. Some on here have changed their air intake BUT if using off road then I wouldn't suggest it (pod style intake). If using a different air filter to let it breathe better you might get a slight gain but to be honest in my opinion just running your tyres at say 40psi instead of 36 you will gain more and cost you nothing except for a slightly firmer ride. Yes there not great for economy around town BUT not extreme either compared to say a 100 series V8 petrol cruiser. I get 11.4/11.6L per 100 freeway driving, loaded with air on and off, cant complain about that one bit I don't think. Around town yes I would say anywhere between 15 to 18 if all running ok. If your expecting 12/13's around town you wont get it and if expecting under 10's freeway, you wont get it trade it for a D4D. The petrol engine is a great engine with plenty of power and give minimal problems just a tad thirsty around town. Save your $$$ and add on some extra's. the only other option is going LPG injected system. This will give you some decent gain in buying cost but if your out of town in certain area's you wont save a cent as gas can be dearer then petrol or cant get it but supply is getting better. Just my opinion. Butane has done some mods and will probably give you a run down on what he has done and to what savings he has gained wether good or bad......Cheers Steve

[brendo81 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brendo81]

Thanks for your thoughts Steve my economy is about the same as yours might check up with Butane's mods
Cheers

[Auss15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Auss15]

TBH I don't understand why anyone would buy a Prado and consider fuel economy to be an issue. You accept it's not a Hyundia Getz, but enjoy the fact it's a tough go anywhere 4WD that was designed for various types of use with a degree of fuel economy sacrificed for these features

[brendo81 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brendo81]

Hey Auss15 ease up mate it was just a question. I bought my prado full knowing fuel economy would not always be great.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Hi there Auss, mate most people don't expect it to be good as a Hyundai Getz, but like myself wouldn't buy a petrol 100 series as it would send me broke pulling up to the servo running 22/24L per 100 or a 4.8 petrol patrol running 26L per 100. Some times just that little bit extra saving on the hip pocket can help. Hence when we bought our prado we also got rid of the commodore as we didn't want two big cars to run so my wife zaps around in a yaris sedan we bought new (bloody great to may I add). I run my tyres at 40/42 firstly to stop them feathering on the outer edges as I go through a shit load of bends and roundabouts getting to my joint, the second is to get just that bit better economy. I went LPG with my other prado and personally was the biggest mistake I made, then bought a grande 1kz which decided to crack the head at 103k costing me 4k to fix so any fuel savings in diesel was blown out the window. I then dumped the diesel and went back to the 4L V6 petrol GXL Auto and extremely happy with it. I was going to sell it and upgrade to a VX (wanted dual air) again V6 but didn't work out that way so decided to keep it and spend some $$ getting mine ready for some off roading. Agree with you, some people buy 4wd's like a petrol 100 series and expect it to get the economy of a commodore but we all know that's not going to happen. Brendo, the impression I got to his question was just maybe he can save a $$ or two by some simple mods if not no big deal ?? .....Cheers guys have a great easter........Steve

[brendo81 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brendo81]

Cheers Steve and Aussie hope you guys have a good Easter too

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

The short answer is to save money on fuel .park it in the garage . You won't save anything by modifying it ,even with gas . Cheers.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Everything makes a difference.
But the biggest difference you can make is your driving habits.
Race around and you will use more fuel.
You might know & may not want to do these things im about to mention, but this is what can dramatically reduce fuel useage in a Prado. It's all about the right foot!!!!

Look ahead, when you see a red light or traffic ahead, get the foot off the gas, start slowing down.
You will also find this more comfortable and saves brakes too, often the lights will change before you have stopped.
Gently accelerate, don't race, use only the first few mm of the accelerator, about 15% throttle, keep revs below around 2000rpm.
On highway runs, don't speed, don't overtake, stick to 90klm/hr, when you come to a hill, don't push your right foot down, let the vehicle slow a little, while keeping the same accelerator position, you can make it up when you go down the next hill, you might let it run out to 100klm/hr, down, to save you fuel going up the next one.
Keep a huge distance to the car in front, so you don't have to slow & speed up with traffic.

Naturally removing weight so your not carrying unessesary weight and avoiding mods like Bullbars, lifts, roof racks, tyres and making sure the vehicle s running well in tune will help.
But you driving style will help a lot more!!!

P.s it is important to give engines a good hammer once or twice a week. Once at normal operating temps only.
I recommend full throttle to the speed limit, usually the on ramp to the freeway/motorway is the go for that.
As long as you don't have a dufus in front that can't drive, you know 60-80 on the on ramp trying to blend with 100k traffic? Twits!

[brendo81 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close brendo81]

Hi guys thank you heaps for your thoughts I am new to pp and I appreciate your honesty

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

I've heard fitting a Hiclone works

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Shit stirrer D4D LOL .......Cheers Steve

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

How about one of Peter Brocks (may he rest in peace), energy polariser units that were fitted onto the firewall of dunnydoors to "balance" the vehicle...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

The polariser is easy to find, it's the rear window sticker that MUST be fitted exactly in the rear window centre line to focus the energy that is impossible to get
Seriously though driving style is the main way to improve economy, or be like me and just drive it how you want to, use it for the reason you bought it ...

and buggar the expense hence my Prado is now blown

Lee

[Beach Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beach]

Everything makes a difference.
But the biggest difference you can make is your driving habits.

I couldn't agree more. I used to own a Mitsubishi Mirage. One of the cheapest cars to run. It regularly got 550-600k's from its 45litre tank, commuting. I used to experiment to see how far I could get out of a tank of fuel. Working nights a lot, I could knock it into neutral (manual box) and coast down hill (not sure if thats a good idea in an auto). I used to do lots of other little tricks, as mentioned. The best I ever got was 750k's from a tank. I know a lot of people that insist on being the first away from lights and other bad driving habits, etc and they are always complaining of poor fuel economy. Go figure.