2010 Toyota Prado VX 4.0 (183 kW) V6 Auto

[AndrePrado]

ANYONE….
I bought my dream car, the Toyota Prado and it is really a great car. Only problem is the fuel consumption I am getting.
Before I bought it, everyone I spoke to said about 14lt/100km to 15lt/100km. But I have not seen it go below 19lt/100km even when driving it with the "eco" green light on almost all the time.

It is mostly driving short trips to work and back, less than 10km per day. working on the averages, it does 10km and use 10lt of fuel which is crazy.

The Prado has done 103,000km and had all it's services.

I was wondering if it is something I do not know about or if it could be a filter / Spark plug problem, sorry I am no expert on engines.

I plan to do a 1200km trip but do not wish to end up refuelling every 180km.

Please, anyone who has one or can give good advise, let me know.

Thank you

[pietpetoors]

Welcome Andre
If it gives you 19l/100km it gives you 5.2 km/l. Which means that if you drive 10km it will use 1.92 liters, not ten.

If I listen to some Hilux guys then 6km/l is normal, but I think it very much depends on your driving style.

Is it auto or manual?

[Thunder02]

Welcome Andre

[Jacques T]

14l/100km = 7.1 km/l
19l/100km = 5.2 km/l
5.2 sounds about right for such a heavy vehicle on short trips.
My SFA with 4y also does around 5 km/l in town.
The KZ-TE 4x4 drinks 8 km/l avg
My dad's S80 4.2 diesel Landcruiser (1HZ) does 7 km/l on the open road at 110km/h. in town it drops to about 5.

[Rollercoaster639]

Take it for a service and tell them to change the air filter and fuel filters. They dont normally change the air filters or fuel filters on every service. You could also ask them to check the "mapping"
I have the Hilux v6 and it gives me 15.3 l/100km or 6,5km per liter and I have a bit of a heavy foot.

[AndrePrado]

Welcome Andre
If it gives you 19l/100km it gives you 5.2 km/l. Which means that if you drive 10km it will use 1.92 liters, not ten.

If I listen to some Hilux guys then 6km/l is normal, but I think it very much depends on your driving style.

Is it auto or manual?

Sorry it is auto as in the Subject line

[AndrePrado]

Take it for a service and tell them to change the air filter and fuel filters. They dont normally change the air filters or fuel filters on every service. You could also ask them to check the "mapping"
I have the Hilux v6 and it gives me 15.3 l/100km or 6,5km per liter and I have a bit of a heavy foot.

Thank you Rollercoaster639

[Hangover]

Short trips in a V6 is very uneconomical... Take it for a leker drive 100-200km and check the consumption again...

[jacques kotze]

My Prado gives 5-6km/l in town. The best on open road with small trailer was 8,4km/l

[Mr_B]

Remember on short trips where the engine cools down totally, the vehicle is running an enriched startup mixer for the first 3 to 5km of your 10km trip until the engine is at operating temp... that will mess with your fuel consumption nicely. Buy a Fiat Uno for the short trips... hehe!

[Dingo]

on my Prado I get on avg 15,5-16l/100kms in and around town, on the long road it comes down to 14,5l/100kms. What I have noticed is that when idling in rush hour traffic the consumption sky rockets.

Also a couple of variables come to mind that'll effect the consumption:
- the weight of the right foot, especially on pull off.
- on the trip to work, how much of that 10kms is spent idling/slow moving in traffic
- a roof rack. I removed my Frontrunner slimline rack and the consumption improved by almost a 1l/100km
- aftermarket suspension, especially if lifted higher than standard. On mine I fitted EFS and got 45mm lift and that also effected the consumption.

[AndrePrado]

Thanks you guys, all valuable info. Taking it for a service tomorrow, they said that the Spark plugs will be replaced, will ask them to do the air filters and fuel filters.

This is probably also the best place to ask, anyone know where I can get a "NET" cargo net or dog divider so my dogs don't jump over the back seats. Seen some pictures but can find a supplier in SA.

[Black Sam]

Andre you can ask the guys at Nissan, the X-trail use to come out with one.

[AndrePrado]

Ok guys, Prado went in for a service, they did a "Injection Clean" the tank and fuel lines. New spark plugs, R1800 !!! and all the usual other stuff they do at 110,000km. The I filled it up and we drove 1300km. Would you believe it now average 11.5l/100km. I am happy with that. Back home and it still sits around 12,5l to 13l so not too worried anymore. Thank you Black Sam for that info, will find out.