This blog is about my search for better fuel economy for my truck. I have a 2004 Toyota Tundra Double cab with a V8 engine, four wheel drive, and a four speed automatic transmission. Of all the years the Tundra has been available it appears that the 2004 DC truck, because of its size and engine/transmission configuration, gets the worst mileage of all the Tundras. The Gross Vehicle Weight of the truck is 6600 pounds and the EPA fuel economy rating for the truck is 14 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the freeway. In all honesty these fuel economy figures are both generous and unrealistic.
I have a personal Blog with more detailed information about my testing and my findings. Detailed spreadsheets of my fuel economy and test conditions can be emailed from my email account at highwaylizard@gmail.com
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog here on this forum through the RSS feed or my personal Blog.
Thanks for looking and ask any questions you may have.
I have a personal Blog with more detailed information about my testing and my findings. Detailed spreadsheets of my fuel economy and test conditions can be emailed from my email account at highwaylizard@gmail.com
Please feel free to subscribe to my blog here on this forum through the RSS feed or my personal Blog.
Thanks for looking and ask any questions you may have.
MPG Numbers 4-11-2009A
Posted 04-11-2009 at 07:06 PM by Highwaylizard
Filled up today:
This run today over the same route as yesterday evening has returned some better numbers. At this point I have to make a decision as to whether or not to make another run. If I make another run I have to decide whether to remove my personal fuel saving device or leave it on. Either way I am eager to see what numbers would be returned. The first thing I need to do is go over my calculations and do a comparison between my old Tacoma (which is what I originally designed the device for) and my current Tundra. I suspected when I installed it on my Tundra that it would not return the same performance as it did on the Tacoma simply because the two trucks are different on so many levels.
Throughout my research, testing, and development I have funded all of the associated costs out of my own pocket. With the current economic challenges faced by everyone this has become increasingly difficult for me to justify or continue. Just yesterday I met with a new client and in the course of our discussions he asked how I liked my truck. It is no secret to anyone who talks to me more than a few minutes that my truck is the best investment in an automobile I have ever made. The discussion naturally turned to fuel economy and it took off from there. It turns out that his neighbor is a patent attorney who may be interested in working with me on my patent. My new client also has a friend who has made a living from investing in entrepreneurs or inventors such as me.
This is not to say that my troubles are over with but it does appear that I may be getting some much needed help. The ideal situation would be to have enough funding to dedicate all of my time and energy to research, testing, and development. I have several other inventions on the table, most of them energy efficiency related, that I would love to get into the mainstream.
As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to email us. For more information about my testing take a look at my personal blog at Tundra Fuel Economy. Feel free to drop in, look around, and drop some comments or ask questions.
- 130.0 miles
- 8.531 gallons
- 1.5604 increase in MPG since last fill up
- 15.2835 MPG
- Nearly all highway driving
This run today over the same route as yesterday evening has returned some better numbers. At this point I have to make a decision as to whether or not to make another run. If I make another run I have to decide whether to remove my personal fuel saving device or leave it on. Either way I am eager to see what numbers would be returned. The first thing I need to do is go over my calculations and do a comparison between my old Tacoma (which is what I originally designed the device for) and my current Tundra. I suspected when I installed it on my Tundra that it would not return the same performance as it did on the Tacoma simply because the two trucks are different on so many levels.
Throughout my research, testing, and development I have funded all of the associated costs out of my own pocket. With the current economic challenges faced by everyone this has become increasingly difficult for me to justify or continue. Just yesterday I met with a new client and in the course of our discussions he asked how I liked my truck. It is no secret to anyone who talks to me more than a few minutes that my truck is the best investment in an automobile I have ever made. The discussion naturally turned to fuel economy and it took off from there. It turns out that his neighbor is a patent attorney who may be interested in working with me on my patent. My new client also has a friend who has made a living from investing in entrepreneurs or inventors such as me.
This is not to say that my troubles are over with but it does appear that I may be getting some much needed help. The ideal situation would be to have enough funding to dedicate all of my time and energy to research, testing, and development. I have several other inventions on the table, most of them energy efficiency related, that I would love to get into the mainstream.
As always, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to email us. For more information about my testing take a look at my personal blog at Tundra Fuel Economy. Feel free to drop in, look around, and drop some comments or ask questions.
Total Comments 1
Comments
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I just returned from a 820 mile trip in my 2008 5.7 DC Tundra 4x4. On paper I got a little over 20 MPG. I used manual mode, went to 6th gear ASAP and never did a jack rabbit start. I do have a bed cap and the truck was empty on the return trip. I did take the second filter out of the air box as suggested by many. I run 87 octane gas. Well, that's my MPG story, how about yours.
I would love to hear more ways to save a buck so let me know. Greg D. |
 
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