Hilux 3 Litre Turbo Fuel Consumption

westBob replied:

there is just some thing about the way a hilux loves a drink, they are thisty but reliable my mate has a 2004 getting 14.5 l per 100ks, b/bar 10.5 tires.I have a 2004 navara td b/bar 10.5 tyres and use 9.5 litres with heaps more power then the lux cheers Bob Thumbs UpThanks 0

Member - Johno (Gold Coast) replied:

G'day RussellS,

As others have said on this forum before, fuel cost are only a small part of the big piture when owning a 4by. I know you want to improve your current consumption but say that you do 20000 km a year you'll only save $660 p.a. if you get down to 11lt/100km.

By the time you buy a "tunit" and take it to various deisel mechanics you've probably spent that and more. You've bought you 'lux and wouldn't drive anything else, don't worry about how much fuel it uses. Enjoy your what you've got!

If your want to improve your fuel economy without it costing anything try different driving techniques or put more air pressure in your tyres are just some of the things that can help. The trade of here is a bumpier ride.

Johno Thumbs UpThanks 0

Muddy 'doe (SA) replied:

Hi Russell,

I have the 120 prado with the 1KZ-TE in it. I think the difference is the Intercooler on the turbo and an electronic throttle.

Mine was getting about 12.5l/100 average and down to 11 on hwy at times. Then I put a full length ARB roof rack on it and lost about 1 litre / 100km. Prado is about 2200kg and I would imagine that 'lux would be a bit lighter.

Just posting for comparison sake on the similar engine in a heavier vehicle.

Cheers
Muddy Thumbs UpThanks 0

hound replied:

New 2005 hilux turbo, 10 on the highway, 12 offroad 4wding. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Glenno replied:

2003 TD Dual Cab Hilux here. Solid 11L per 100 whether I drove it like i stole it or just cruising around its about the same. Dont see much increase when fully loaded (have a canopy). Fuel consumption goes up with roof racks on and if I drive over 100km it starts to drink. Wound up to 120km/h up Darwin way and it was drinking 14L per 100. That was the worse. Beats a petrol anyway (thinks back to the days of 22L per hundred with the V6).

Have TJM alloy bull bar and 30*9.5R15 tyres, and a fat bastard driving.

Check your air filter my consumption always drops back after a big trip when I clean the filter.

Cheers,

Glenn. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Doc replied:

Had similar figures for a new second hilux I just bought. A change of air and fuel filters helped a lot, but I guess you have already tried this. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Member - Jeff M (WA) replied:

My surf is a non intercooled 1kz-te like yours, weight probally about the same if not a little heavier. Consumption is about right IMO, maybe a little on the heavy side. You could probally help it by pumping your tyres up. Your running 31's right? The other guys quoting lesser figures was only running 9R's...

I'm getting about 12-14 around town depending on what we are doing. Tyre's are 31" MTRs @ 42psi all round. We are also running an Auto which does chew a lot more juice around town as there is no engine braking (one of the bigger fuel savers with diesels as they don't drink while there is no throttle).

My question to you would be: Do you have a snorkel??

If you do, take the air ram off and check for a big metal washer/restrictor (this has been mentioned on previous posts). Mine had one, apparantly it is only supposed to be installed on petrol versions however it is obvious that the guys at Opposite lock (who installed my safari) did not care to read the instructions and put it in anyway...

This thing was causing havok on my bus, overheating, blowing smoke and poor fuel economy.

If it's there, RIP IT OUT!

But poor fuel economy on turbo diesels is often air intake related. Check your air intake system, if you can make it more efficiant by removing those stupid plastic bits that wind along the body up to behind the headlight, do it. MAKE SURE YOU AIR FILTER IS CLEAN!! Thumbs UpThanks 0

floyd replied:

I have a 99 3litre with QTM Turbo (aftermarket) I have also got 700 kg's of extra stuff on the car like bars, winch and long range tank etc... When I have the canopy fully loaded with gear and my family of 4, I get 10.5-11.5 litres per 100 kms. I only use 13 when I add the boat (17ft).

I would take it to a diesel expert as your figures do not sound that good at all. Thumbs UpThanks 0

Hun replied:

Hi Russel
I have a 2002 with the same problem.I
run 10R 15 bridgestone AT duellers.If your running bigger than standard tyres you will use more fuel.pump your tyres up to 45 PSI and rides a bit harsher but you should get around 12.5 Ltr per 100 K's

Hun Thumbs UpThanks 0

Andy C replied:

Russell

Its a "wheel miles" vs "real miles" equation before you spend money! If you don't have a GPS - borrow one and chuck a dash down the freeway to actually measure what your truck's doing.

I thought my Navara was doing something like 10.6 l/100 (50/50 city/hwy) with the speedo saying 118 when the GPS was on 110! The answer was something more like 11.4l/100km.

It's just maths - and now I've bigger rubber, the equation is in reverse!

So to answer your post, big or small diameter tyres will change not only your fuel consumption but also your comparisons if you don't take them into account.

Make sense? Don't spend money until you really know what's going on with your truck! Good luck! Thumbs UpThanks 0