03 Toyota Sienna mod

[SmellyCat]

The bumper cover is off. I tried to block off the top. Tape did not work so I used wire. Looks great?.......nope. I will run around and see how it goes

[2000mc]

I bet you could carve a pretty nice upper grill block out of that old bumper cover

[SmellyCat]

Update! I have not had a chance to highway cruise in weeks. Today I got the magic number 29+ mpg for about 15 minutes on the highway. I have removed the back van seats. Replaced a worn tire. And the tank was about on empty. All tires at 40 psi. Also the outdoor temp is in the 60s today. The best highway number I have ever seen was 27 mpg. I can tell it’s holding speed better /longer. when I’m coasting. Side note: I have had
cEL code for an o2 sensor heater failure for years. SC

[kach22i]

I might be mistaken, but isn't your car supposed to get number like that without aerodynamic modification?

SIDE NOTE:

Last week I was stranded at the cigar lounge (S10 would not start), one of the guys there happened to be leaving and gave me a ride to the auto store and back (NAPA).

I picked up a new distributor cap and rotor and installed it, running like a champ after struggling to get the ignition wires on in right sequence, good thing I had my Haynes book and star bit drivers on me.

My point of this short story is even though by my best estimation the cap and rotor was replaced just shy of 50,000 miles ago it was completely worn out, so much so that the truck had starting issues.

I am happy to report the 20 minute drive back home used much less gas - yes I could see just by using the gauge even though my odometer hasn't worked in about six years.

The power curve and torque I can lay down were also vastly improved.

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.jsp

Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4%, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done.

Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40%.

I suggest lifting up the distributor cap and inspecting the metal prongs that stick down. Some of mine looked like they had been filed down at a 45 degree angle, when on a new cap they are longer and straight 90 degree cut.

I suspect that on older higher mileage cars the interval between tune ups are shortened as tolerances go out of spec.

[SmellyCat]

Kach22i, good point, On fixing things first. The o2 sensor heater failure should just let me run a little rich until the exhaust temp gets up to operating temp. I think.

The EPA Est mpg is 19/24 on an 03 Sienna. I have not seen an attempt to Eco mile one of these.

It has a not so cool engine feature. The v6 is angled so 3 cylinders are covered by the fire wall and the intake manifold. You have to take the intake off to change the plugs and o2 sensor on that side. No miss fire codes yet.

Next step: planning to extend the chin splitter under the front a few inches. And block off a bit of the under bumper fresh air intake to the radiator.

It also has all the time on headlights that I need to figure out.

Maybe even wash and wax it. SC

[SmellyCat]

Found my jigsaw! Cut a chunk out of my precious road side bumper cover. It’s tricky to cut this to fit the contour of the nose of this van. I failed... Added a small coverup on the under bumper splitter. Clipped a wire that runs the daytime running light. That should unload the altenator a little. I’m excited to see if it helps. Maybe 30 mpg is in the cards.

[SmellyCat]

Pretty good results. I have held over 30 mpg for 20 minutes or so on the highway. Removed a trailer hitch bracket 50 lbs? Took out all the rear seats. Blocked off the front some more and lowered front air dam a few inches. Sc