Chips/CAI for better MPG?

Hey guys, 2005 Sequoia SR5 4x4. About to hit a 3,500 mile roadtrip and wondering if anybody has had any significant MPG gains simply by installing a cold air intake and/or performance chip without modifying exaust / other components? Obviously for a trip like this I’d love to get a few extra MPG’s if possible but would it be enough to justify the hundreds of $$ for those parts? I’m not so naive to beleive the advertisements on both CAI and chips “instant 5mpg gains” etc, but just wondering if theres anything to it or not really until you modify much more on the vehicle. Thanks!

 

Only think i can think of that may help are skinny, light weight, street tires. The items you mentioned will not be helpful and only waste money. Now that I think of it, new tires would likely also be a waste on money unless you need them anyway

 

Use the money saved for gas for your trip!

 

I was also going to say either do it yiurself or have it done...spend money on a good tune up. Oil, fluids, filters, diff oil, grease drive shaft, check brakes and tires (rotate and check pressure, maybe go a little higher than normal on pressure). That's money well spent and piece of mind

 

Make sure you’ve got a clean air filter for the trip. A chip and or CAI are going to give you negligible fuel mileage gains. It would take a long time to pay off the cost of the products.

Plus once you put those on it’s hard to keep your foot out of it anyways. Ask me how I know!

 

Good idea... add.....battery and alternator check.. Radiator cap! Hoses!

 

Maybe rent a minivan? You may get twice or better mileage, not sure the math works out to save money...........

 

Thanks all! Renting is not an option as I’m actually relocating the vehicle. This is perfect though, sounds like no point in messing with those. Here’s what I have done in preparation for the trip. It has 130k and the TB was done 10k ago. I just had a fresh oil change done, tranmission service, brake service, front and rear diff service and transfer case service. Tires are in great shape, 265x75x17, may air them up some though thats a good thought. Anything I should consider not mentioned above? Oh and I put in one of the reuseable K&N filters.

 

Sounds like you've got the service stuff covered. I'd go up a few PSI on the tires, easiest and free mod you can make for increased mpg for a road trip.

 

Awesome thanks!! A few from whats reccomended on the sidewall?

 

Not that high. I'd say maybe a few above what's recommended on the door. Maybe 50psi or so? Assuming the tire probably says maybe 80 max, that's too high.

 

I have drop in 12 hole injectors of the same cc as stock. They atomize the fuel better than the stock 4hole injectors. The low end torque is very very noticeable. And they take about an hour to install. Call for details. 760-877-4234

 

Any for the 2nd/3rd gen Tunnys?

 

Nah. I’ve looked into it. They’re already 12hole.

But, Bullydog would be a fantastic tuner for 07+. I’ve done a ton of testing for Bullydog and on my own.

 

The B Dog is on my want list. I've got you bookmarked for this already!!

 

It’s so much more fun to drive!

 

Gained .5 hwy trying to get the best mileage possible with an AFE filter, getting rid of the screen in the air box and doing something similar to the SABM, just made my own. This was on a stock vehicle.

 

Wow thanks for that info! Only better torque though or MPG increase as well? Any measurable difference?

 

I haven’t tested mpg. But it should be better. You step on the gas waaaay less.

 

Ok guys, back again. I pumped the tires up to the max on the sidewall (44 psi) it has 265/70/17’s on it and I’ve been driving around strictly in the city the last month. My gauge in the car shows 11.4 MPG average. Everything I read says I should be seeing 15 city/18hwy so a few questions. Is the in-vehicle le gauge (factory) not acurate? Do I have some other issues robbing MPG? Is that 15mpg just a very loose number and obviously varies heavily? With this, I’m wondering if I possibly have some brake drag or something else going on. I’ve been noticing a lot lately that after sitting stopped and taking off again right after the initial acceleration I hear/feel a noticeable but not extreme “thump”. It does not do it all the time, the vehicle sits 2-3 weeks at a time right now between drives, tranny shifts very smooth, and it was in a shop who said brakes were fine. Any thoughts?

 

Always calculate on a piece of paper for gas mileage. After you do that, throw the paper away because you drive a huge vehicle and the gas mileage sucks. If you want to get good gas mileage, buy a car. The epa 15/18 are estimates under "perfect" conditions. Your mileage may vary...

 

This is my theory

 

LOL thanks guys! I’m not worried about the MPG, I knew it sucked when I bought it. Just trying to make sure there’s not other issues.