M1 0w30 in my 4-Runner

[BigJohn]

Now I am smart enough to realize that the MPG data read-outs on our vehicles aren't the most accurate, but I do have an observation to make.

Our 2007 Toyota 4-Runner with the 4.0L V6 is right at 20,000 miles. In this rig, I dumped the factory fill at 500 miles and poured in YB 5w30 and ran it for the next 4,500 miles. My OCI's have looked like this....

0-500 Factory Fill
500-5,000 YB 5w30
5,000-10,000 M1 0w20 (The MPG seemed really good with this oil as well.)
10,000-15,000 YB 5w20
15,000-20,000 PP 5w30
NOW.... M1 0w30

With all of those other oils, my MPG Monitor would fluctuate between 17 MPG and 22 MPG (if I drive very conservatively).

This morning, the wife and I drove the rig down to Pueblo and back which is right at 100 miles, round trip. Leaving the house, I reset the MPG Monitor and upon arriving home, it read 23.3 MPG. (By the way, we were running I25 and I had the cruise set on 80mph for about 65 miles of the trip.)

Ultimately, I will be interested in the number of miles I get upon my next fill up and do the calculation, BUT.....

....Maybe there is something to this M1 Advanced Fuel Economy!!??

 

[buster]

Eh...maybe, but it's really hard to say. Too many changing variables.

 

[tig1]

It general with oils of equal wt. synthetics will get slighty better MPG. Less friction.

 

[Ed_T]

Will the extra mileage (if it exists) offset the extra cost?

 

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted By: Ed_T

Will the extra mileage (if it exists) offset the extra cost?



With the WalMart and M1 rebates, I was able to purchase four, 5 quart jugs for $12 each.....

But, you question is a good one for some people.

For me, it is a mute question, as I will be running some sort of synthetic, so the $2 difference between M1 and PP isn't a big deal.

 

[Old Mustang Guy]

I had an occassion to make a run from Dallas to Houston and back. My 06 Mustang GT got 28mpg on the run down, best I had ever done. I was pretty pleased. The next day I made the run north and only got 25. Traffic and speed the same. Then I realized I had a tailwind going down and a headwind coming back. I think it takes a number of readings over time to really tell if something has changed your mileage.

 

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted By: Old Mustang Guy
I had an occassion to make a run from Dallas to Houston and back. My 06 Mustang GT got 28mpg on the run down, best I had ever done. I was pretty pleased. The next day I made the run north and only got 25. Traffic and speed the same. Then I realized I had a tailwind going down and a headwind coming back. I think it takes a number of readings over time to really tell if something has changed your mileage.



Yeah good point and certainly factors that will affect mileage. My example is a good one, as I did the exact same round trip with near identical climate conditions. Sure, it was slightly downhill going down, but it was the same uphill coming back. In both directions, there was about a 5mph wind from north to south....at my tail going down and in my face coming back up.

But sure, it can make a huge difference. Heck, when I use to pull a 30 ft camper with my 2500 Suburban, I could get 14 mpg with the wind at my back and 6-7 with a stiff wind in my face.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

You ran a syn before this M1 AFE and now have a nice clean engine platform for the AFE to do its stuff. I'd stay away from the YB from here on out. BTW what is a "mute question" ? Do you mean, as in a law review, 'moot point'?

 

[Steve S]

What you really have to consider is that the engine and drivetrain are loosening up as the car breaks in. Have you changed the drivetrain lubes?. There isn't much difference in oils as car dino oils get the same mpgs as todays syn oils.

 

[BigJohn]

Originally Posted By: Steve S
What you really have to consider is that the engine and drivetrain are loosening up as the car breaks in. Have you changed the drivetrain lubes?. There isn't much difference in oils as car dino oils get the same mpgs as todays syn oils.


I have not changed the drive train lubes, but plan to do so between the 25,000-30,000 mile mark the summer of 2010.