Land Cruiser MPG improved?

Boy not much - its heavy and the engine (as are all but the 4 cyl Toyotas are quite thirsty. I think adding a K&N filter vice the highly restrictive OEM style one helps a bit . Don't use if you are in a dusty area). Keeping tires properly inflated and extra junk out of the vehicle helps too. Don't load stuff on roof - unless in a streamlinde Yakima plastic "cofffin". Also recommend replacing the spark plugs every 50k with OEM ones and making sure the thermostat is letting the engine warm up properly. A larger diameter (more free flowing) exhaust and catalytic converter (and headers if they are available) might give more power and even save some gas.

Bonny, The Land Cruiser is a big heavy SUV and it has very poor aerodynamics. I may be wrong it's not alot you can do to improve the MPG. It's something that you have to get used to. They are great vehicles that with proper service you can put 200 to 300 thousand miles on it.

T.K. W.S.

Brown's Sterling Nissan

2002 Maxima SE

"Bonny Lynn" sez:

Short of removing the radiator cap and rolling a Prius under it to then reattach it, not much.

Good wrenchin' to ya, VLJ

I have an '88, here's a few things I've learned: Drive a little more conservatively - anticipate red lights by looking well ahead. If you see the next signal has gone to solid "DON'T WALK" get your foot off the gas early, don't charge up to a red light or a stop sign and slam on the brakes...

Use your cruise control on the highway. Holding the throttle steady helps a lot, and the cruise control is a lot better at it than most people.

And hold it down to 65 - 70 cruising speeds, the fuel mileage drops exponentially with small speed increases. A few cars have an aerodynamic "sweet spot" at a bit higher speed, but you need a fuel mileage monitor computer to find one on your own... (And Cruisers have all the aerodynamic graces of a brick. Standing on end.)

Keep your tires inflated at the high end of the pressure range on the placard in the doorjamb - reduces the rolling resistance.

Don't idle for long periods at slow freight train crossings or drawbridges. You already have EFI, which is going to squeeze every gallon of gasoline as far as it can - if your driving style lets it work it's magic.

Change to synthetic motor oil and gear lubes. It won't make a big difference, but every little bit helps.

And go get the vehicle weighed - the comparatively low fuel mileage isn't bad at all when you consider you're schlepping around 3 Tons of car - the one bad thing about LandCruisers being built like a brick s***house is that bricks are durable, but heavy.

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