cruiser 200 series fuel consumption

[Smirke]

Hi, very one. A couple of questions for those of you with the 200series. Am after approx fuel consumption when towing, around town and when off road.....if possible. I have been told the car has 2 fuel tanks but, if the car does have 2 tanks, does it automatically switch between them as I don't remember seeing a tank switch in the vehicle or a 2nd fuel gauge? Our patrol has 2 gauges and a switch which makes it easy to see what we have and what we don't.

 

[dagree]

Can't help with the fuel consumption (will be following this one as still contemplating an upgrade in the New Year.... Not new though!).

Yes they do have two fuel tanks and I'd guess they would be the same, or similar, to the Prado..... One fuel gauge that shows full when both tanks are full..... Then when it hits half a tank (ie: Tank #1 empty) it swaps over and the gauge goes back to full but has a light that lets you know it's running on Tank #2... Make sense?????

 

[Bellbirdweb]

If its the same as the 100 series, it has 1 guage, but does have a sub tank switch that changes between the 2 tanks. The fuel guage shows the tank currently switched on.

 

[Smirke]

Can't help with the fuel consumption (will be following this one as still contemplating an upgrade in the New Year.... Not new though!).

Yes they do have two fuel tanks and I'd guess they would be the same, or similar, to the Prado..... One fuel gauge that shows full when both tanks are full..... Then when it hits half a tank (ie: Tank #1 empty) it swaps over and the gauge goes back to full but has a light that lets you know it's running on Tank #2... Make sense?????

it does make sense, thanks. I prefer the separate gauges, as i use the sub as my "oops I forgot to fill the tank" tank.
Concerned the size of the tank won't be enough for the trip across the gibb and up to mitchell plateau.
We haven't signed on the dotted line yet either @dagree , but after weighing it all up we will swap to the cruiser and then add on to it gradually. Not like with the BBB, which got it all put on before pick up. Just couldn't justify spending $5000 on the car to just give it back in 11 months time.

 

[Smirke]

Don't have our LC200 yet, I check the Toyota Tracker nearly every day, but I suspect it will be the same as our old 150 series Prado, in the Prado the gauge treats the 2 tanks, like one tank, you don't even know the extra tank is there. No switches, it just acts like one tank.

@Holden_man , what is the toyota tracker?

 

[VDJ200R]

Just treat it as one big tank 138 litres I think from memory. The second tank has a jet pump which works on a siphoning effect to transfer fuel. The first half of the tank takes longer to drain as it's using the sub tank. So expect around 550kms from the first half on the gauge . As far as fuel economy how long is a piece of string ! These are rough figures: around town/highway 12.5L / 100
Towing expanda fully loaded 2.3t best of 16.9L / 100 . Worst of 21L / 100 towing into a head wind.
This is cruising at 105 km/h when towing.
Please take into account others fuel economy will differ as my 200 series which has mud tyres, bullbar, rear drawers, full length roof rack, lift kit, Engel fridge and has been chipped, 3.5 inch exhaust fitted which has increased fuel economy slightly from when it was a stock vehicle.
However all this goes out the window when your able to put your foot down to over take a road train while towing the expanda with ease only to look down at the speedo and realized that you have climbed to 130km/h at a very rapid rate.( not that I advocate doing these speeds whilst towing). After 4 yrs of ownership I still can't wipe the smile of my face when driving or towing in the 200 series !
eace:

 

[achjimmy]

Just treat it as one big tank 138 litres I think from memory. The second tank has a jet pump which works on a siphoning effect to transfer fuel. The first half of the tank takes longer to drain as it's using the sub tank. So expect around 550kms from the first half on the gauge . As far as fuel economy how long is a piece of string ! These are rough figures: around town/highway 12.5L / 100
Towing expanda fully loaded 2.3t best of 16.9L / 100 . Worst of 21L / 100 towing into a head wind.
This is cruising at 105 km/h when towing.
Please take into account others fuel economy will differ as my 200 series which has mud tyres, bullbar, rear drawers, full length roof rack, lift kit, Engel fridge and has been chipped, 3.5 inch exhaust fitted which has increased fuel economy slightly from when it was a stock vehicle.
However all this goes out the window when your able to put your foot down to over take a road train while towing the expanda with ease only to look down at the speedo and realized that you have climbed to 130km/h at a very rapid rate.( not that I advocate doing these speeds whilst towing). After 4 yrs of ownership I still can't wipe the smile of my face when driving or towing in the 200 series !
eace:

Pretty much what @VDJ200R said to a tee. Except I can't help my self around town so probably get worse.

 

[Smirke]

Thanks @VDJ200R . I'm still struggling with the 138L in total. My patrol has 140L in the main tank and another 30L in the sub, so I'm scared of running out of diesel. (Its a girl thing I think). We have decided to get the bullbar, cooper st max tyres (285/75 R17) like we have on the BBB, poly airbags, roofrack as definites. Before our trip, if we can, we want another battery, alot more 12V to run the kiddy electrics, possibly a snorkel. Undecided about the suspension. Been told it should be ok with our van (it is a porker)

 

[chartrock]

Concerned the size of the tank won't be enough for the trip across the gibb and up to mitchell plateau.

There is fuel available across the GRR and if you are off to the Mitchell Plateau then there is fuel at Drysdale Station. No excuse for running out of fuel.

 

[VDJ200R]

Thanks @VDJ200R . I'm still struggling with the 138L in total. My patrol has 140L in the main tank and another 30L in the sub, so I'm scared of running out of diesel. (Its a girl thing I think). We have decided to get the bullbar, cooper st max tyres (285/75 R17) like we have on the BBB, poly airbags, roofrack as definites. Before our trip, if we can, we want another battery, alot more 12V to run the kiddy electrics, possibly a snorkel. Undecided about the suspension. Been told it should be ok with our van (it is a porker)

I know the guys at Ultimate 4wd Equipment in Bibra Lake do a long range tank for the 200 series which takes it up to 270 litres total capacity but it's a lot of coin for something that is not used very often. When doing the GRR , Kalumbaru and CSR I have put 3 of the red 25L gerry cans on the roof giving me a extra 75L if needed. As far as batteries go the 200 comes with 2 batteries which are used for cranking. I have split these batteries and replaced with Optima yellow tops. One for cranking and the other for running Engel and other auxiliary item's. Others have kept the 2 factory batteries and added a 3rd battery which ARB have a battery tray for and is mounted where the fuel filter is. The fuel filter is then re located closer to the fire wall. Another option is if you have a drawer system the battery can be mounted in one of the wings.

 

[Smirke]

Unfortunately @VDJ200R , with 4 boys there will be no draws, or extra space. We are planning on leaving the van at home valley station and driving east to west without it. It means taking camping stuff......somehow. (Will take 1 can of diesel with us, as I'd like to take a 2nd spare as well...on the roof.....As well as tents etc)
If I understand right, you replaced the original batteries in the 200 with bigger ones? We will be taking one engle with us and need to power it. I did ask about changing them, but didn't get a response from the sales guy.

 

[VDJ200R]

@Smirke Yes that's correct I replaced the original batteries and split them so the passenger side one becomes your cranking battery and drivers side becomes your auxiliary. You need to find a battery with a minimum 850 cold cranking amps for the starter battery and a good quality deep cycle for you auxiliary. I have used optima yellow tops in my application as they have good cold cranking amps for starting, great cycling capabilities, are AGM battery so absorb vibration and corrugations well and will recharge a lot quicker than a standard lead acid battery. I have used a redarc BCDC 1220 LV isolator to split the batteries as the alternator in the 200 are the new generation of smart alternators and have seen voltages as low as 12.9v . The BCDC will keep the voltage a which ever setting you select AGM , Standard lead acid or Calcium. In my case set on AGM it will charge at 14.6v in boost mode and then back it's self down as it goes to absorption and float modes which settles at 13.2v. Also doubles as a solar regulator as I can plug in solar panels via a Anderson plug if free camping and battery needs charging.
Alternatively you could go down the path of any standard 12v battery isolator such as a Redarc SBI 12 and split batteries this way. Also a booster diode can be found on ebay to replace the alt s fuse to trick the alternator into put out approx 0.6v which I guess helps but is still not quite at optimal charge rate for you auxiliary battery.
Sorry for the long winded post, get a little carried away sometimes.

 

[Smirke]

Not long winded at all @VDJ200R . Very helpful indeed. It bothered me that it has 2 batteries and yet to have a 2nd battery....you needed to get a 3rd installed! (and it gets installed under the car apparently). Got me thinking as to what I've got under the patrol. May go for a look, but with what you've said, it would be easy to give to an auto lekkie and get them to do it. (well, easier than me reading up on how to do it and giving it a shot myself. Not a path i really want to go down. )

 

[Bellbirdweb]

Not long winded at all @VDJ200R . Very helpful indeed. It bothered me that it has 2 batteries and yet to have a 2nd battery....you needed to get a 3rd installed! (and it gets installed under the car apparently). Got me thinking as to what I've got under the patrol. May go for a look, but with what you've said, it would be easy to give to an auto lekkie and get them to do it. (well, easier than me reading up on how to do it and giving it a shot myself. Not a path i really want to go down. )

The 100 series had exactly the same setup with the 2 batteries. I split mine and have 1 Optima yellow top for cranking and a deep cycle powering the Engel and the caravan.

Been working well for 13 years that way.

 

[achjimmy]

I split the oem batteries and abused them and still got 2 years out of the aux. so don't rush into changing brand new batteries. The fuel will be fine, yes 170l would be better but the 138 goes okay. What's pisses me off is the totally inaccurate low fuel warning that tells you you have 80k range when you still have 20-30litres of fuel left!!!

 

[VDJ200R]

I split the oem batteries and abused them and still got 2 years out of the aux. so don't rush into changing brand new batteries. The fuel will be fine, yes 170l would be better but the 138 goes okay. What's pisses me off is the totally inaccurate low fuel warning that tells you you have 80k range when you still have 20-30litres of fuel left!!!

That's why I run a scanguage which is pretty accurate down to about 0.5L and also has the added benefit of monitoring fuel, water temp, volts, boost, trans fluid temp, intake air temperature, scanning for fault codes, clearing fault codes, multiple trip computers and many other functions I have not discovered as yet.

 

[Smirke]

I split the oem batteries and abused them and still got 2 years out of the aux. so don't rush into changing brand new batteries. The fuel will be fine, yes 170l would be better but the 138 goes okay. What's pisses me off is the totally inaccurate low fuel warning that tells you you have 80k range when you still have 20-30litres of fuel left!!!

As long as it shows the correct amount....I'm happy. Got a loose wire on the patrol somewhere. You can have a full tank , plug the van in, and the needle drops to wherever it feels like. Coming back from Margaret river ( our expanda get together), car alone showed 3/4 of the main tank left. Plugged the van in and it dropped to empty. Drove home the whole way with the light on and showing no fuel. Used the sub tank....just to be sure..

 

[Smirke]

@VDJ200R and @achjimmy , do you have to have a WDH with the 200? We don't have one with the patrol, just use the poly airbags which was what we were going to go again.

 

[VDJ200R]

@Smirke no I don't use a WDH but have upgraded suspension with constant load 300 kg rear springs. My ball weight is not overly heavy at approximately 200 kg and it tows fine. Car sits pretty much level when towing. Not really a big fan of air bags, feel their more of a bandaid fix rather than a solution to leveling the rear end but each to their own. I used to own a Patrol before the 200 series and have seen what air bags coupled with heavy loads had done to spring hats.(cracking welds on spring hats). Also not sure if it was on here or another forum where I read of dual cab utes such as Navaras, BT50 and Rangers bending chassis whilst towing and running airbags. You must also take your own experience with running airbags into account and if have had no problems in the past with them as they do give you the best of both world's when towing and unloaded. Please take this as my opinion only as opinions on this topic will vary widely and there is really no right or wrong.

 

[achjimmy]

That's why I run a scanguage which is pretty accurate down to about 0.5L and also has the added benefit of monitoring fuel, water temp, volts, boost, trans fluid temp, intake air temperature, scanning for fault codes, clearing fault codes, multiple trip computers and many other functions I have not discovered as yet.

I run a scan gauge too. But you can't have Trans temp and distance to go (DTG) on the same page! And I can't be arsed to continually enter the data at fills so it goes out of kilt? Was going to replace it with a ultragauge as you can share the screens and gui is better. But users report the DTG on the ultragauge as being ordinary?