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Anyone unplugged battery and actually got better mpg?

4001 Views 20 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  Puffnstuff, 
J
My '04 v6 4x4 5speed is getting a dismal 14mpg. I just bought it with 38K on it. I know - this subject has been worn to frazzles, but one of the suggestions I've read is unplugging the battery to reset the ECU. First - does that work with the older v6 like mine or only with the vvti engines?
And second, has resetting the ecu ever actually improved anyones mileage?
This isn't meant to be argumenative - I really want to know if it's worked!!:tu: :ts:
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M
jaegermeister said:
My '04 v6 4x4 5speed is getting a dismal 14mpg. I just bought it with 38K on it. I know - this subject has been worn to frazzles, but one of the suggestions I've read is unplugging the battery to reset the ECU. First - does that work with the older v6 like mine or only with the vvti engines?
And second, has resetting the ecu ever actually improved anyones mileage?
This isn't meant to be argumenative - I really want to know if it's worked!!:tu: :ts:
Click to expand...
I tried that but it wouldn't start so I plugged it back in. :clown:
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J
Lol:d
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Salty_Dog
jaegermeister said:
My '04 v6 4x4 5speed is getting a dismal 14mpg. I just bought it with 38K on it. I know - this subject has been worn to frazzles, but one of the suggestions I've read is unplugging the battery to reset the ECU. First - does that work with the older v6 like mine or only with the vvti engines?
And second, has resetting the ecu ever actually improved anyones mileage?
This isn't meant to be argumenative - I really want to know if it's worked!!:tu: :ts:
Click to expand...
I suppose to wouldn't hurt to try.
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rhopf79
MOREPOWER said:
I tried that but it wouldn't start so I plugged it back in. :clown:
Click to expand...

LOL.....I almost fell out of my chair!!
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Salty_Dog
MOREPOWER said:
I tried that but it wouldn't start so I plugged it back in. :clown:
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rhopf79 said:
LOL.....I almost fell out of my chair!!
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Good thing it wasn't a Prius. :cool:
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agpilot53
Yes, as a matter of fact there was changes. I removed the ground for an hour or so to replace the oem stereo head. Plugged in back in to test and unplugged it again to close up.
It didn't run well for a while. I guess it was relearning the codes. That tank of gas went away at 9 mpg. This tank is about 1/4 full now and showing 336 miles. Before I unplugged it it was going less than 300 on a full tank.
Could be something to it, who knows.
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HOGWILD
PLEASE!! Maybe we could remove a wheel and never have to do alignments again?? and if worms had machine guns we would be in trouble!!
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agpilot53
HOGWILD said:
PLEASE!! Maybe we could remove a wheel and never have to do alignments again?? and if worms had machine guns we would be in trouble!!
Click to expand...
Let me ask you sense you think you're so smart; Is a hogs tool really spring shaped like his tail?
And I like the idea of worms with machine guns. Being a crop duster pilot I could charge $250/hr for hazardous duty. I even know a guy that builds ag-planes with .50 cal's for the war on drugs in south america.
You look closely now, if you see any in your bosses corn field you call me and I'll come clean them out for you.
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redman733
well with the crappy mileage my Tundra gets I figure I have nothing to lose so what the heck :)
I disconnected mine for a few hours today and will post my results..
I really don't expect any changes but who know's..
My truck was brought in from another dealer some 90 miles away so maybe i'll get lucky and the guy that drove it was heavy on the gas and messed up my settings :)

hey I can hope right:p
for the entire 30 seconds it took to disconnect(which includes finding a 10mm wrench) why not try it?????
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Cosmo459sx
agpilot53 said:
It didn't run well for a while. I guess it was relearning the codes. .
Click to expand...
It was. How long did it take to "drive normal" again? Mine took about a day.
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D
I did this with my 05 Tundra and noticed about a 1 to 2 MPG increase in city mileage but my highway mileage remained unchanged. I'm going to try it again before my next long highway trip to see if I can boost the highway mileage a bit. Doesn't hurt to try.:sleep:
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B
Seems worth a try. I bought mine recently from a guy that only drove it short periods in the city. I have a long commute from rural to the city and probably drive alot faster then him. So given the stark differences in driving conditions I would think I might see a difference.
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HOGWILD
agpilot53 said:
Let me ask you sense you think you're so smart; Is a hogs tool really spring shaped like his tail?
And I like the idea of worms with machine guns. Being a crop duster pilot I could charge $250/hr for hazardous duty. I even know a guy that builds ag-planes with .50 cal's for the war on drugs in south america.
You look closely now, if you see any in your bosses corn field you call me and I'll come clean them out for you.
Click to expand...
ON WEAKENDS ONLY!!
Guess i will install a cabin mounted battery throw switch and do it daily since the mielage will increase soo much!! I went and got my FAA A&P when i was active duty Air Force their in Dothan back in mid 90's. Great community and hope yall were spared in latest storm!! Not much corn in ABQ but plenty to shoot at LOL!!
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M
I'm installing this on the dash for the ultimate gas savings.
$6.95 on Ebay :tu:
See less See more
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C
MOREPOWER said:
I'm installing this on the dash for the ultimate gas savings.
$6.95 on Ebay :tu:
Click to expand...
Sweet! Maybe we could get a group buy going!;) :D :clown:
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C
I have a 2000 Tundra Ltd. Access Cab 4X2 for towing a 24' 5th wheel. I added JBA headers and Gibson muffler, which noticably increased towing capacity. However I now get 9 gpm city/ hwy :cry: , so having just read this post I got out a 10mm wrench and disconnected the battery. What the heck, took about 3 min. Will report back on results.
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redman733
redman733 said:
well with the crappy mileage my Tundra gets I figure I have nothing to lose so what the heck :)
I disconnected mine for a few hours today and will post my results..
I really don't expect any changes but who know's..
My truck was brought in from another dealer some 90 miles away so maybe i'll get lucky and the guy that drove it was heavy on the gas and messed up my settings :)

hey I can hope right:p
for the entire 30 seconds it took to disconnect(which includes finding a 10mm wrench) why not try it?????
Click to expand...
well I have been through a couple tanks of gas since I tried this and now I can say with confidence ......."MYTH BUSTED".........

I just put in 18.5 gallons w/260 miles on the trip since my last fill-up and got 14.05 mpg...I drove like an old lady the entire tank(actually the last few weeks) never going over 2,000rpm's(well almost never) I even kept in under 60mph on the highway...
I have no doubt I will be back at 12-13 mpg when I start driving like a normal human being again......yep 12-13mpg and 1/2 of my miles are on the highway

oh well ....I wish I had a better ending but unforunately I don't :(
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The Phoenix
I could have told anyone all along doing this wouldn't work.

Check your tire pressures, and change to irridium plugs. MPG should go up somewhat. Don't expect breathtaking results though.
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D
If this actually worked, we would already be driving vehicles with locks on the battery terminals and fuses that only mechanics licensed with the oil companies could unlock :)
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