I have a 99 SR5 6 cyl with about 68000 miles. Recently mileage has dropped considerably. I did have my 60K service which 2 days after my radiator cracked and toasted my transmission. That was replaced and everything was working well. Any ideas on the easiest things to correct to get mileleage up?

Besides a tune up....Things like tire pressure, clean air filter, good oil (try a 5w-30). And a big one is driving habits. Don't warm your car for more than 15-30 seconds or so. Avoid sudden starts/stops. Coast to stop lights and off freeway ramps.

Why can't I warm up the 4Runner more than 15 seconds?

Do you know why the radiator cracked? Did the engine overheat too? How much milage drop off are we talking about?

Thanks Les, I had a Toyota Tacoma and I did 5w-30 in the winter and 10w-30 from spring to fall. That was fine, I'm in Washington State. It's just strange to me cause my Tacoma had the 3.4 same engine as my 4Runner now. I do however had changed the muffler to Flowmaster 40D and did an 4" deckplate airbox mod to the airbox. I have 64k on my '02 and Thank GOD she's still running very well. Here's pics of my 4Runner on my photos page: http://photos.yahoo.com/mpampo

Nice Pics! I don't take my '99 (130k miles) off road. I use it for getting through winter snow before it's plowed and for towing. I don't mind the thought of taking it off road, it's just that I have too many hobbies as is! I don't have photos of her, but I just got her back from the bodyshop - don't park in NYC parking lots, you'll come back to dings in the weirdest places - like just under the rear window. They removed the grungy looking pinstripes that were on the vehicle when I bought her and, unless you see the wear on the running boards and wheels, she looks new. Les

I don't know why the radiator cracked, it was about a day after I had it serviced. I had a suspicion they put tranny fluid in the radiator but they said it was just the fluids mixed because of where the crack was. There was thick milshake like orange cream comming out of the radiator overflow and the transmission was trashed. Mileage was OK for about 4 months but then started to drop about 75 -100 miles per tank on the highway. Frank A Allen

Just curious, have you made sure you don't have a brake caliper sticking? Also, is your transmission new or rebuilt? Maybe something could be slipping internally. Does anyone know if these transmissions are a "lock up" style?

I am not sure, but I think your truck has a tranny cooler. That may account for the mixing of the fluids. My question about the radiator was leading: If the head gasket blows, it can cause the radiator to go. You can test this by having a shop check for exhaust around the radiator with their magic wand. I doubt this is your problem as you have low mileage and you did not say anything about over-heating. Check the more obvious: Did you recently change tires? Is the pressure up on all 4 tires? Is the tranny going into overdrive on the highway? New tires can make a huge difference in mileage.

I'll check the brakes, the transmission is new. jasonfinan

I just put new tires on a month ago, pressures are good. No overheating. The OD seems to be working. Maybe a brake is sticking, there is a pull to the right which I thought was alignment. Frank A Allen

what type of tires did you put on? I really doubt your bakes are sticking, if they were the pulling that hard your pads would not last very long. It's easy to check. Just pull off the tires and look at the pads (pay special attention to the inside pad. It tends to wear first). I am still leaning towards to tire change. It can make a big difference.

I just recently put on Kelly Pathfinder all seasons. Frank A Allen