How to Improve the Gas Mileage for a Toyota FJ Cruiser

by Kay Layne

gas pump image by Tammy Mobley from Fotolia.com

Toyota's FJ Cruiser joined the SUV market in 2007. In 2010, Toyota tweaked the engine to produce slightly better fuel economy. This SUV sports Toyota's 4.0-liter V6 engine, which produces 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 271 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,400 rpm. The FJ will get between 14 to 17 mpg in the city, and 19 to 21 mpg on the highway for the two- and four-wheel-drive models. While this is typical for an SUV, there are some things FJ Cruiser owners can do to improve their fuel economy.

Step 1

Drive smart. Avoid aggressive driving. Rapid "jackrabbit" starts and hard stops will cost you more at the gas pump. The FJ Cruiser is a heavier vehicle that was not made to be "gunned" at traffic lights, but rather designed for off-road riding.

Step 2

Short shift. By shifting sooner, you will keep your miles per gallon up by keeping your revolutions per minute down.

Step 3

Check your tires. Under-inflated tires create more road resistance. Properly inflated wheels can improve your gas mileage by 3.3 percent, according to the FTC's website. If you are not sure how much air is need, the tire pressure (psi) is marked on the tire's sidewall. This will also increase the life of your tires.

Step 4

Unclog your filters. Change your air and oil filters as needed, especially if you take your FJ off-road, as dirt and dust can clog up your air filter. By changing your air filter, you can increase your gas mileage by 10 percent, according to the FTC's website.

Step 5

Change your oil as recommended. Also, use synthetic oils and lubricants, as they cause less friction in the engine.

Step 6

Don't idle. Letting your vehicle idle not only pollutes the environment but adds up to a few more coins at the pump. Turn off your engine if you know that you will be waiting for a few minutes.

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