That's why I said that nobody usually checks these things. Over in Europe they have technology to see if you have a functioning catalytic converter from the roadside while you're driving by! I also know someone who got busted for running a catless h-pipe and it wasn't by an emissions test station - the cops had the car impounded and the owner had to pay $2500.
I removed the filter on my truck yesterday and have already started to watch the avg. mpg increase. My truck just turned 8k miles and my average in town has be 13.8mpg, today I am up to 16.1? Could just be a result of resetting the ECM, but time will tell.
Here are some numbers to show how much (or how little) might be saved over one year by a small improvement in average MPG. The chart assumes that you drive 15,000 miles in a year and your average price per gallon is $4.00. The savings column is incremental, so if you currently average 15.0 MPG and you make improvements to average 16.0 MPG then your annual savings would be $250: you simply add the savings together for each increment, so $129 + $121 = $250.
Now compare your potential savings with the following factors:
time and money that you spend to modify the truck
additional drive time that you might incur by driving slower
possibility of future repairs if your modifications end up harming the truck over the long run
negative impact on the environment by modifying the truck
potential for additional fees or fines if your truck fails a required inspection test
I am not saying it isn't worth it, just saying that you should consider all the factors before making a change. Personally I prefer to keep my truck in stock configuration unless I can save more than $500 per year. Even if the HC filter removal increased my MPG from 16.0 to 18.0 then it would still only save me $417 in the first year, and based on most comments above I wouldn't expect more than 0.5 improvement. So for now I will just remove unnecessary cargo such as the spare tire and some tool boxes. This may save just as much or even more and it won't cost me anything or do any harm. To each his own.
Note: I receive many messages about the NAV Speed Pulse Generator so I continue to build them for people on request. If you want one then just PM me via this forum and include your email address.
Last edited by wileetundra; 07-04-2008 at 02:41 PM.
Now compare your potential savings with the following factors:
So for now I will just remove unnecessary cargo such as the spare tire and some tool boxes. This may save just as much or even more and it won't cost me anything or do any harm. To each his own.
What if you get a flat, no spare and have to call a wrecker for a tow? Additional cost of say $100.01, this might negate any potential savings in fuel economy. lol
They're implementing IM240 standards which are even stricter than Cali. Some brand new vehicles don't pass this testing standard. Even so, this test won't pick up the lack of the HC filter. I know for a fact that even in Cali they won't rip apart the underhood of your car if everything is there visibly and the car passes the gas analyzer test.
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2007 Tundra 5.7 4x2 RCSB slate metallic
2005 Corolla - all stock, cause it's the wifes
1986 Mustang GT - the stereo is under the hood
1990 Corolla - cause it was really cheap
What if you get a flat, no spare and have to call a wrecker for a tow? Additional cost of say $100.01, this might negate any potential savings in fuel economy. lol
Everyone is a comedian...
I actually did think about this because it has happened to me several times over the past few years. Once I picked up a nail on the way to work. Was flat by lunch time in my office parking lot. Another time I picked up a screw somewhere and it was a slow leak for a few days then went flat on the way to Walmart. I learned that removing the spare on a Tacoma / Tundra is tedious and hard work, guaranteed to make you dirty and break a sweat in our 90+ humid weather. Also dangerous on the shoulder of a narrow road or highway.
A few years ago I used to subscribe to AAA for this very reason but now my 07 Tundra gets free towing and roadside assistance provided my Toyota dealership when I am in town and by my State Farm insurance when I am out of town. So I have several ways to get the tire repaired or the truck towed for free without getting dirty. Also, if you paid extra for those nice 20" upgraded alloy wheels, you will be disapointed to find that the spare is still a crappy 18" tire on an ugly steel rim so not something you want to use anyway. I may not have another flat for a few years but I am certain to be using gas every week so I will remove the spare while gas prices are high and take my chances. Mr. Murphy has already visited me so maybe he is on his way to see one of you next...
Note: I receive many messages about the NAV Speed Pulse Generator so I continue to build them for people on request. If you want one then just PM me via this forum and include your email address.
I removed it tonight. I used a flat screw driver to get between the housing and the charcoal screen and simply brought one edge out; then the rest followed. It cracked the charcoal filter where the small plastic studs were but then, I don't have any intention of putting it back (Virginia does have emissions inspections but I suspect the truck will pass easily). I'll report back later on fuel economy. I have a 900 mile trip to take again and I had my average coming here.
Mech...this vehicle maybe unbeknownst...not sure if thats in wikipedia is rated as an ultra-low emissions vehicle class 2...thats right guys lok it up...our Tundras are clogged up for emission purposes....I totally believe you can get that mpg eliminating that crap... We just installed a TRD intake on our stock pulling truck and believe it or not it kills me that we can sell "high -performance" bolt on's that have to be politicaly correct! B-S IT's a bunch of crap....do your thing and I believe you'll get better mpg...these motors are amazing that they got the hp and torque numbers out of a "50" state emisssions legal vehicle...sorry Toyota luv the product but this really is a bunch of BS!
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2007 Tundra D-Cab TRD 5.7liter
Top Gun Customz Leveling kit
Airaid CAI
Poweraid throttle body spacer
Doug Thorley headers
Gibson dual extreme cat back
Airlift rear suspension air bags
Coming in 3 days....Jet chip Upgraded ECU
I removed the HC filter on my 5.7L Tundra 400 miles ago, and have had an increase of 2.3 mpg since doing so. The throttle response is noticably different when taking off from a red light or stop sign. I am so pleased with the results that I just removed the HC filter from my wife's 2006 RAV4 Sport as well. We're averaging just over 24 mpg on hers, so a few more mpg's will make it even sweeter.
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2007 5.7L TRD DC 4X4 Pyrite Mica w/Westin bull bar, Line-X spray liner, ARE CX Series topper, 305/65R18 BFG AT/KO's, 2.5" front/1" rear RevTek lift, Viper 2-way remote starter w/alarm, WeatherTech floor liners, JBL BlueTooth option, stainless Toyota running boards, mudguards & cold kit.
Did another 60+ miles tonight. Hot Springs, SD to Custer SD and back. Averaged 17.6 MPG on the way to Custer (from approx 3800ft of elevation to a little over 5000ft), and 26.5 MPG on the way back. For a trip average of 22.05 MPG. Nice long down hill sections of road kick ***! For that matter a 10 mile long section of road with a 45MPH speed limit helps too seeing as how the truck is just above idling in 6th gear loping along at that speed.
For that matter a 10 mile long section of road with a 45MPH speed limit helps too seeing as how the truck is just above idling in 6th gear loping along at that speed.
That is one of the ways the late model stuff gets good mileage while still having powerful engines. Gear them to the moon so they are just barely off idle during cruise to reduce frictional / pumping losses.
Re: 19.8mpg after HC removed!
2007 CrewMax Limited
lol 
Linear Mode
