So my buddy has an Expedition with a 5.4 liter engine and gets about the same mileage as my 4runner(mid to high teens)? What the hell???? Are there any secrets to getting better mileage out of these things? It just doesn't make sense that a heavier vehcile with a much larger motor gets the same mileage that I do.

My Dad has a 2005 Cadillac Deville with the 4.6l Northstar engine, and gets 22-24mpg around town... I have a 2002 4Runner Sport and get 18-20mpg... it's all how you drive. He's one of those Speed Limit drivers and rarely opens the throttle. When I use 93 octane, I do get the little better mileage, so I don't use 87 or 89 much at all. Occasional fuel injection cleaner, and oil change regularly. Also put in Slick 50 when I first got it, and again at 25K miles... Don't know if that'll help any. repoguy2002

Your experience is sure different than mine. I tried higher octane gas and only got worse mileage. I've tested 5 tanks in a row to get a good average and did that twice. The manual says 87 is required but you can use higher octane for better performance. Everyone I know that used higher octane had the same result. You shouldn't need it unless your timing is off and it pings atr lower octane. Best mileage is with 87 and I get about 22 on the highway, average speed about 75-80 MPH, and a consistant 18 going to work, driving with a lead foot, lot of stop and go, worst conditions for good mileage. I hardly ever go through a tank of gas without driving in 4WD at some point. I shift into 4WD often times when driving in the rain, then shift out when I get on the highway. I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil in the engine only but no synthetics in the gear boxes. As for Slick 50, I wouldn't put that in your Toyota. Fuel injection cleaner is OK but not that stuff. Save it for your old Chevy. For a sure thing to give you 1-3 extra MPG, take off the snorkel going into the air box unless you plan to drive in water up to the hood. It will sound better too and give you a little more horsepower.

for the 4Runner well in my manual, for 03 4.0 V6. it is written to use a higher octane fuel, this for me helps calm the engine knocking that toyota trucks are known to have, I put cone filter system on my engine and noticed an increase according to the onboard fuel consumption analysis, driving steadily at 70 MPH, about 2.2 RPMS display shows 26 to 27 miles per gallon, now at stop and goes, or city driving, avg, 30 to 40 mph, display shows 19 miles per gallon, the engine oil im using is durablend 10w30, because the weather here in southern cali almost never reaches below 10 deg.f. so 5w was a little too thin, (research on motoroil weight and viscosity search google for the oil bible) I get about 375 to 400 miles to a full tank, 22 gallons. on a second note, my 03 2.7 V6 Intrepid has a high flow box filter and we use 89 octane, manual for this wrote use 87 octane, we used to up 91 octane but and got about 260 to 280 miles per tank full, where at 89 octane I get more milage and get about 320 per tank full, same as above oil used. see my truck and easy quick mods at our group photos under CEDs 03 CEDs David