Fuel economy, is a tune worth it?

Hey guys, i own a 2013, TRD package Tundra, 5.7L. Since most of you guys are american on here ill convert the numbers, Mileage=118k miles, average fuel economy=15.5mpg. Truck is fantastic, the only drawback is the fuel economy really. I am running pretty much stock, levelling kit with 285/55r20. There is a legit shop that tunes toyotas, they mostly tune tacomas and 4runners but assures me that it will benefit the Tundra as well, maybe 1-2mpg, he charges 700$. Has anybody encountered the same issue? I know my sparkplugs are close to being due, maybe that would improve a bit but I doubt it would make that big of a difference. TIA

 

Your MPG is in line with normal. Not sure that you want out of a 2014 full size truck on MPG, but anything with a v8 gets about what you are.

Do the maintenance the truck needs, not for the MPG but because it is needed.
You could see a bump in MPG replacing worn plugs, air filter, etc ,but it is not going to be significant.

And same for that shop that tunes.....$700 tune for what, 1 MPG? Definitely not worth it, $700 buys a lot of gas and most tunes generally require higher grade/octane fuel.

Best MPG for a Tundra:
keep up on maintenance
make sure tire pressure is right
dont lift it and keep stock size street tires on it
no idling- even letting it warm up a few minutes each day will drop MPG 1-2 for the tank average

 

Thanks for your response, I see numbers ranging from 14-18 on other forums, thats why I was asking, my friend with a 21 silverado 5.3 had better fuel mileage crossing canada while towing a trailer!

 

If they’re tuning the torque converter and transmission shifting properly, you can see a bump in efficiency. Those on top of the engine module tune will make the truck drive better overall. A properly adjusted performance tune can even increase the longevity of the drivetrain as long as you’re doing your maintenance. Ask the tuner what parameters they’re adjusting, they should have a list at the very least, especially for $700. I can remotely tune for about half that price if you’re interested.

 

This is his response for the tune description: Set the throttle response to your liking, then recalibrate all the shift points as well as ignition, timing, cam timing etc, the tune is octane learning so it will adjust to whatever octane you are using.

 

I got about 1mpg city and highway from a tune. Not that it’s that great going from 12 to 13 but it is what it is.

 

Meh- I have a tune and my mpg stayed the same if not worse lol

 

The ignition learning is through knock control. Adjusting low and high knock spark as well as base spark. If you’re using reg fuel, and the tuner applies a regular fuel tune, yes, you can use a higher octane fuel and the spark will adjust according to knock control. If you get a premium fuel tune, then spark is advanced more, and you won’t want to use a lesser grade because you could expirience pre ignition knock, and the ECU will retard the spark and you can have power loss.

Tundra gains the most power through torque converter adjustment because it allows the driveline to transfer more of the engine power to the wheels.

 

One thing that I see with a lot of trucks now days is the cylinder shutoff, hemis and chevy 5.3L both have it, and the extra sensors cause the reliabilty to go down. Tundras do not have the cylinder shutoff, (hence more reliable). I have seen corvettes with a fuel economy tune, where the spark and fuel pressures are adjusted to cruising speeds like 55-80 mph in overdrive, to get insane mpgs like 40 mpgs. Im not sure its worth doing one because of cost, and 2 for reliabilty, i dont wanna test and stress the engine and components possibly. I havent read much abt torque converter adjustment, seems interesting to gain power and/or fuel economy. I'm wondering if you could just get a tune without having to run higher grade fuel, and still get more power out of it. Another thing i would like to explore is tow haul mode, can we add in some actual tuning, like actual power gains while tow haul is on and basically have a fuel economy tune without tow haul, so if u have to over take or are actually towing, u can just throw on tow haul and get the job done. This would be sweet imo.

 

https://youtu.be/vNIZ25eBMco?si=huWaNvdsguLaWaVw
Video i watched^

 

If you have to run premium with the tune, then absolutely not.

15.5 is above average for a 5.7 IMO I'd be happy to get that. But for arguments sake lets pretend you'll gain 1 mpg for $700, it would take 3100 gallons of fuel to break even before you start saving money. At 15.5 mpg thats 48000 miles. For most people that will be 2 years from now.

Use algebra you learned in school:
$700/3.50 gallon= 200 gallons of gas = cost of the tune
16.5mpg * X = 15.5 * (X + 200)
X = Gallons of fuel needed to break even for the cost of the tune vs. Leaving it alone
X = 3100 gallons
3100 gallons * 15.5mpg = 48,050 miles

Thats assuming you wont need premium fuel and you get a 1mpg mileage increase which i think would be unlikely. If is does need premium you will be instantly and forever in a financial loss in fuel costs since premium is 50+ cents more per gallon than 87.

 

Just learn to drive more efficient. A tune can only force you to do so by modifying your inputs. It can’t make your truck more efficient. Make your truck lighter. Put smaller lighter wheels and tires on your truck. Lower the truck for better aerodynamic performance. Keep your truck properly maintained. Don’t drive over 60mph. Drive as if there is an egg between your foot and the pedals. Anticipate stops so that you are not accelerating right before braking, but rather coasting to a stop. Anytime you push the brake pedal it costs you efficiency. All of these things are 100% guaranteed to improve your mileage.

 

here endith the lesson.



I do these things and avg 17mpg. with a S/C!

 

Very well put. Read up on hypermileing. Some of the tricks border on unsafe and insane but the concept is there. I run higher tire pressure and don't see any abnormal wear by doing so.

 

Thanks for all your inputs guys, I will not tune it, it is my daily driver as well as my hunting, fishing and ice fishing rig so the aftermarket parts on it get used quite a bit, ah well, cant have it all I guess!