TRD Air Intake, Worse MPG's? Help!

[blackdemon]

Originally Posted by Mickey

I'm not advertizing for AFE but I got an improvement of 1-2mpg. Just the other day when my truck was crippled from 2 lug nuts breaking off I just filled up and limped home, to work and then dealer to fix it I was at 22.7mpg at 55mph. I personally should've went with a TRD.

Not to be smart, but it was probably your speed, and fear of losing a wheel on the highway. I know I was like that when I lost a lug on my Celica.

[Charlie M]

Originally Posted by Deznutjob

I'm not sure how some of you with aftermarket intakes are getting better mpg, most if not all are designed for performance and not efficiency. If you're getting better gas mileage you can't be getting any HP gain. Just sayin!

Any Performance Item that adds Horsepower and Torque will give better gas mileage Depending on your driving habits. With more power your engine does not have to work as hard to perform the same amount of work. Manufacturers don’t like to post MPG #’s because again it all depends on Driving habits, ie Your Foot. Even products that claim an increase in MPG don't give an exact #, Not even the MPG Listed on your window sticker is exact.

[Charlie M]

Originally Posted by AZ Bail Me

I have a 2008 CM with a 5.7 4x4. I have a 3" lift with 22" wheels. I WAS getting 13.6 to 14 mpgs for everyday use. I put on a TRD Air Intake and my MPG's went down to 12.6 to 12.9, nearly one gallon less per mile. I also just put a Magnaflow exhaust. I am thinking about putting my old air intake, I don't really know what to do. Does this sound right? Any suggestions? I thought with the TRD Intake and the Magnaflow I might get a little better MPGs. I difintely didn't think less. Thanks for any input.

Just some questions I would ask myself to help pinpoint the problem...

Did you put the exhaust on at the same time as the intake?
How Long have you had the intake on (days/miles driven)?

Did you weld the exhaust system or use the supplied clamps?

I would check the exhaust system for any leaks, a drop in backpressure can actually make you lose bottom end Torque and Horsepower.

The computer system might need more time to recalibrate itself.

[LawShark]

Originally Posted by 07tundra@10k

I looked at TRD CAI while waiting at the dealer for my 10000 miles service. I cant see why anyone would buy it as it is the same as a stock airbox top only with a little bit better pipe running to the TB . It even uses the stock filter and has the charcoal screen in the top....

Warning...When changing CAI DO NOT UNPLUG THE MAF....The only way to reset this is to take it to the dealer. The guy who was working on my truck has an 2008 TRD Tundra and he said he resets about three a week when people dont read the warning in the install instructions. I asked if it couldnt be reset by disconnecting the negative battery cable and he said no.....it will continue to throw a CE light.

It has a cone filter, very similiar to the AFE model. I don't know which TRD intake you saw but filter is very differenet from stock.

[j-rot]

keep very close mileage of every tank. I got 322 to 328 each tabk until i put in k&n air filter. Then i got 355 to 359, driving exactly the same and no reset or battery cable stuff. Then i put on flowmaster full cat back and it went to 340 to 355 range. The filter should def increse your mileage. But like you i lost with the exhaust and am still confused. Get a k&n air filter and drop the trd cai

[TampaTundra]

I agree with what Dez said. Any aftermarket CAI is designed to increase and reduce the restriction on the flow of air coming into the engine. Very simply put, more air means the engine needs more fuel to make it a balanced combustion. More fuel and air can equal more power but comes at the hit of reduced fuel economy. You may think that the motor makes more power so thus you need less ponies to go the same speed on the highway bit the motor is making more power while consuming more gas, not the same as before. By adding things like a CAI and exhaust and ect. you are increasing the amount of power output but not necessarily increasing the motors efficiency. But some modifications can help by small amounts such as maybe a single exhaust that keeps up a healthy amount of back pressure but increases the flow some.

Not trying to make anyone grumpy but things like CAI's are designed and marketed for people seeking more power and a performance increase not people who want more miles to the gallon.

[SRT8TUNDRA]

Originally Posted by TexBiker

No...disconnecting the battery of your Tundra is harmless. It's a standard step when doing quite a few maintenance/installation procedures.

The first time you crank the vehicle after disconnecting the battery, it will die immediately. Crank it again and everything returns to normal.

Don't forget to loosen the muffler bearing for about 5 minutes before you disconnect the negative battery cable!

[SWThomas]

The MAF sensor will sense more air and therefore command more fuel.

[sloak16]

i just installed my volant air intake a couple minutes ago. I drove it around the block and the dashboard indicates that im getting 6.3 miles to the gallon. before i installed the air intake i would get 14.3. dont know what to do? does anyone know what is going on? im thinking about taking my truck to 4 wheel parts and having them check if i installed it right.

[07tundra@10k]

I agree with everyone that ethanol doesnt burn very well and makes your mileage terrible. Try resetting the mileage computer and drive nice...keep your foot our of the air cleaner!! LOL

I usually get around town about 14+ and with the lower gas prices I think they are blending more ethanol in and now I am getting 6-8. I am doing a 300 mile trip tomorrow and we will see what mileage I get on this trip..

Its tough becuase I live at 10,000 ft of elevation so things dont run very good and mileage sucks...