MPG Gain or Loss from KDMax or Overland Tailor Tuning

I have a 2020 TRD Sport in 6MT and have been getting fairly good MPGs with it (20+ MPG with OEM tires, and 18-19 MPG with 265 70R17 All Terrains). I'd love to get a little better hp or torque but don't want to sacrifice my MPGs. Heck if possible, I wouldn't mind a gain in MPGs. For all you guys/gals that have tuned your 3rd gen, what kind of gain or loss in MPG did you see. If possible, please be specific as to what your before and after MPG is, and what your setup is (tune your using, AT or MT, tires, lift... etc).

Thanks all!

David

 

While I think your question is valid, there are too many variables to make the result meaningful. Aside from all of the weight differences, driving styles, etc, the tunes themselves will change your driving style, so it's impossible to know. I've been through three different tunes to this point. For sure, none of them improved MPG, they all made it slightly worse by 1-2 mpg. My best advice would be if you don't want to lose MPG, then don't get tuned. Of course there's a chance that your setup will be the same or better after the tune, but there is no one that can genuinely tell you beforehand if this will be your final result. Go into it with the assumption that you will lose some efficiency, and if you happen to come out better, so be it.

 

HP isn't free in a modern vehicle, the cost will be additional fuel that decreases fuel economy.

 

While that certainly sounds reasonable, just to play devils advocate for a minute, if it runs pig rich at WOT stock wouldn't a tune be able to lean it out while getting more power?

 

2021 MT, and i've got the KDMAX PRO. I've gained in mpgs simply because the torque in 1st and 2nd were lacking w/out the tune, and that was mitigated by me gunning it in those gears. After being tuned, there's sufficient torque to where i can turn in to traffic and not have to smash the gas pedal to get where i'm going quickly. I've got a heavy foot, YMMV.

Edit: All the tune options out there are pretty sweet, I've only stuck with one because i'm happy with what i've got and don't want to spend $$$ to try the others out

 

You might be surprised at how little AFR impacts the output of the engine. Gross mis-fueling is another case, but none of the Toyota platforms we play with have this issue, even stock.

In action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzbLrn-2jyw

 

Any idea what kind of increase you gained? If I had to bet, I'd guess maybe 1 MPG.

David

 

pretty much, between 1-3 depending on how late I was running

 

Interesting stuff, thanks.

 

I've gotten the KDMax Pro+ tune on my 2018 Pro and I was running around 19 mpg give or take 1 (I seem to lose fuel economy the hotter it gets in TX) and after I'm probably hovering around 21-22 after the tune. This is with the same driving style (I'm not much of a speedster anymore and tend to cruise) and same mods as before (stock pro suspension and stock tires). I'd like to see how MPGs go up once I get bigger tires as this tune was meant for heavier trucks. I'd say it's definitely worth the 350 I spent though. I can't say for sure you gain any additional HP with KDMax but you definitely get the torque at the low end now. I probably saved more gas because the RPMs aren't constantly going crazy trying to gear hunt and I can feather my throttle to get up to speed instead of having to hammer down and waiting for the damn lag time to go by.

 

2021 AT with KDMax. No noted change in MPG, I get about 16 both before an after. Drivability is much more comfortable, especially in lower gears.

 

I am still stock and I have gained 1 mpg on highway from 21 to 22 mpg. City mpg has increased from 18 to 19 after KD Max Pro+ tune.

 

Physics don't work the way you wish. Nothing is free. You want more without paying. Sorry

 

If there’s any tune (pick one any one) that guarantees MPG I would be cautious because the disappointment factor might be there afterwards.

That being said with the Overland Tune, I have seen gains and have seen losses. Overall the tune has done better for me on MPG over stock plus the drivability gains are 10 fold. That’s my pick