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I own a 1998 Prado V6 Petrol Manual, have owned it since 2003 and it has 147,000 genuine k’s on the clock. It is basically a standard vehicle with the exception of a steel bulbar, lift kit, dual batteries and snorkel.
My problem is a lack of power under load.
On the highway I can easily sit the vehicle on 100 kph freeway mode, with or without the cruise control, and still have plenty of power should I need it to overtake, however when I encounter a hill of any reasonable gradient, I am quickly out of 5th and into 3rd, and, sometimes bordering on 2nd gear.
The problem is even greater when towing my van [a Jayco Outback Eagle].
On a recent trip away [highway mode] we encountered a slightly steep hill continuing for about 6 kms; one of my fellow travellers driving a Common Rail Patrol and towing a medium sized Caravan went up the incline easily in 3rd gear, the fellow behind me driving an Izusu 3 Litre Diesel and pulling a large caravan easily caught up to me, I could only manage either 2nd or 3rd gear towing my van up the hill with a max of 60kph.
When I purchased my Prado in 2003 I could get every bit of 1200 k from the 2 tanks in highway mode, but now I can barely get 900 km.
A friend of mine who has the same model Prado as me, gets on average 16L/100 Kms, his best being 13.9L/100 Km in highway mode, the very best I can get in highway mode is 20.4L/100 km, I don’t understand such a variance.
The vehicle is serviced regularly, has had a new clutch put in it, the injectors were cleaned and serviced earlier this year, and the plugs and leads have been replaced when required. I have not had it on Dyno, as there is no 4WD Dyno close to my place of residence.
I have tried a number of fuel additives, cleansers, and high performance unleaded fuel, but with no success.
I love my Prado and wouldn’t part with it, it serves me well off-road, but not so good on-road.
Any suggestions as to what might cause my power under load issue, would be greatly appreciated.
My problem is a lack of power under load.
On the highway I can easily sit the vehicle on 100 kph freeway mode, with or without the cruise control, and still have plenty of power should I need it to overtake, however when I encounter a hill of any reasonable gradient, I am quickly out of 5th and into 3rd, and, sometimes bordering on 2nd gear.
The problem is even greater when towing my van [a Jayco Outback Eagle].
On a recent trip away [highway mode] we encountered a slightly steep hill continuing for about 6 kms; one of my fellow travellers driving a Common Rail Patrol and towing a medium sized Caravan went up the incline easily in 3rd gear, the fellow behind me driving an Izusu 3 Litre Diesel and pulling a large caravan easily caught up to me, I could only manage either 2nd or 3rd gear towing my van up the hill with a max of 60kph.
When I purchased my Prado in 2003 I could get every bit of 1200 k from the 2 tanks in highway mode, but now I can barely get 900 km.
A friend of mine who has the same model Prado as me, gets on average 16L/100 Kms, his best being 13.9L/100 Km in highway mode, the very best I can get in highway mode is 20.4L/100 km, I don’t understand such a variance.
The vehicle is serviced regularly, has had a new clutch put in it, the injectors were cleaned and serviced earlier this year, and the plugs and leads have been replaced when required. I have not had it on Dyno, as there is no 4WD Dyno close to my place of residence.
I have tried a number of fuel additives, cleansers, and high performance unleaded fuel, but with no success.
I love my Prado and wouldn’t part with it, it serves me well off-road, but not so good on-road.
Any suggestions as to what might cause my power under load issue, would be greatly appreciated.
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