Has anyone installed a cold air intake with good results on improved fuel efficiency?

55

Asked by 4runner Mar 02, 2008 at 10:04 PM about the 2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD

Question type: Car Customization

I'm not interested in improving horsepower or needing a cool throaty sound.  I like the quiet ride I have now just would like some extra MPG.

10 Answers

14,275

The cold air intake is to help increase HP, when you increase HP, you lose MPG in most cases. Normally I have found that when you put a cold air in a car you get a increase hp and most of the time you lose MPG. The 4Runner isnt known for fuel mileage as almost all the ones I have seen get about 15-18MPG. If you keep it tuned, and do he oil changes (5w30, helps a little). Also all those "fuel wonder mileage increase" add ons dont work, as all have been disproved through the EPA or independent testing (Mythbusters even did a few shows on this subject). But if you go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ you can read up on it. Just keep it tuned and stay on top of the service. I have seen my brothers 4Runner get just over 20MPG on the highway. Best of luck.

5 people found this helpful.
84,385

I have found a K&N air filter will give a slightly better MPG and different intake note, as it allows more air through to the engine.

5 people found this helpful.
265

Cold air intakes increase overall engine efficiency, so it will increase horsepower, torque, and MPG's. However, the MPG most likely won't be significant enough for you to notice it right off the bat (maybe about 0.5 MPG better)

6 people found this helpful.
145

CIA is a waste of time and money. With a dremel tool and a little know how, you can do this modification for increased efficiency, power, and a nice tone. http://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech/dr_z_intake/dr_z.htm

5 people found this helpful.
2,585

More air into the engine, more fuel to keep it at stochiometric. It will take you a long time to make up the money for any (if at all) fuel mileage gains you will see. Some vehicles benefit, some do not, yet the parts get marketed as they do the same thing for every vehicle. Every vehicle has a different design for their intake, not all are restrictive.

1 people found this helpful.
60

I own a 2003 4Runner V6 LTD and managed to improve my MPG considerably by doing some surprisingly simple things. Firstly I had the engine flushed at CAA with a non chemical pressurised charged particle fuel flush, then I replaced all of the spark plugs with E3 high efficiency plugs, vaccumed the air filter and lastly pumped up the tire pressure (during the summer months only!) to max which on my tires was 46PSI. These changes which in total cost me about $200, increased efficiency from 400km per tank to 600km per tank, a 50% increase! And they remained in effect afterwards, they weren't temporary. I also noticed that I retained pretty much the same level of fuel economy after these changes independent of how I drove, all in all well worth the money spent :)

2 people found this helpful.
60

Oh, I checked out the pros and cons of air intakes too, but soon came to realise that it really isn't a good idea as the only way to increase air is to decrease protection and allow more damaging particles into your engine. Not really a good idea if you want your 4Runner to last.

1 people found this helpful.
60

Oh and the last thing I did was change the oil filter to a 'tough guard' and the oil (which I bought at a US Walmart sale for cheap) to Mobil1 0W-30 Fully Synthetic.

3 people found this helpful.
1,005

I put a Stainless Steel racing intake w/ an open air K&N element, and let me just say for less than $100 K&N dynoed the set up at 9.4 hp for the 4.0L......should be close to the same for the 4.7L. Oh and have you figured out at which speed the best mpg is achieved? My sweet spot seems to be 85mph, consistantly 24mpg+

5 people found this helpful.

In the long run they don’t provide any difference as studies have shown. The4runner does not have a panel that takes in cold air the engine compartment is to restrictive. The intake will save you on money for filters if you buy a mid- range system with a dry filter that you can clean. Some offer a better look and a deeper sounds. That’s it!

Your Answer:

4Runner

Looking for a Used 4Runner in your area?

CarGurus has 10,613 nationwide 4Runner listings starting at $2,995.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2003 Toyota 4Runner

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Papaobewon
    Reputation
    5,810
  • #2
    Kurt Burton
    Reputation
    2,610
  • #3
    azurro
    Reputation
    1,680
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Toyota Tacoma
2,176 Great Deals out of 55,903 listings starting at $3,995
Used Toyota Highlander
1,457 Great Deals out of 14,915 listings starting at $1,825
Used Toyota Land Cruiser
48 Great Deals out of 4,744 listings starting at $5,347
Used Lexus GX
223 Great Deals out of 4,331 listings starting at $3,990
Used Toyota Tundra
1,044 Great Deals out of 31,821 listings starting at $2,999
Used Toyota Sequoia
164 Great Deals out of 3,344 listings starting at $2,635
Used Toyota RAV4
1,968 Great Deals out of 34,265 listings starting at $2,300
Used Ford F-150
6,459 Great Deals out of 169,177 listings starting at $1,871
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,332 Great Deals out of 34,727 listings starting at $1,550
Used Toyota Camry
2,124 Great Deals out of 43,929 listings starting at $1,150
Used Jeep Wrangler
3,386 Great Deals out of 60,822 listings starting at $2,500
Used Honda Pilot
1,066 Great Deals out of 31,451 listings starting at $1,500
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,160 Great Deals out of 123,229 listings starting at $1,999
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
2,319 Great Deals out of 50,257 listings starting at $1,796

Used Cars For Sale

2024 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD For Sale
5 Great Deals out of 92 listings starting at $49,400
2023 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD For Sale
14 Great Deals out of 161 listings starting at $41,988
2022 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD For Sale
27 Great Deals out of 204 listings starting at $37,980
2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD For Sale
14 Great Deals out of 163 listings starting at $31,987
2020 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD For Sale
5 Great Deals out of 98 listings starting at $28,602

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.