3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I tried shifting from D to N and back when needed. Does this really save gas on 2001 Camries or am I harming the gears? What are some other ways you can save other then over-inflating tire pressures?
Supposedly, if you're really anal, you're supposed to gas and cruise (whatever the term is), meaning you get up to speed, then turn off your engine, and turn it back on when necessary. Basically, it turns it into a hybrid style of driving, except for you operate it manually, rather than letting the car computer do the work for you.
IMO, that's just overboard and anal, and way too annoying, but to each his own.
The best tip for people who don't already practice it is to cruise, everywhere. Keep your rpms steady on the freeway, and lay off the gas when coming to a stop. If I get in an economical mood, usually I will accelerate to about 5-10 mph above the speed limit and then cruise all the way to a stop sign/light (traffic permitting of course)
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1996 Toyota Camry LE 2.2 - 139xxx 162xxx
2000 Toyota Sienna XLE 3.0 - 82xxx 104xxx
I tried shifting from D to N and back when needed. Does this really save gas on 2001 Camries or am I harming the gears? What are some other ways you can save other then over-inflating tire pressures?
Probably not going to help since the engine is still running at idle. If you shut off the engine that's different.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gladis
Supposedly, if you're really anal, you're supposed to gas and cruise (whatever the term is), meaning you get up to speed, then turn off your engine, and turn it back on when necessary. Basically, it turns it into a hybrid style of driving, except for you operate it manually, rather than letting the car computer do the work for you.
That's called pulse and glide and you are not driving like a hybrid car. When you drive a hybrid at a steady speed, it doesn't shut off the engine or motor - something still has to propel the car. With pulse and glide, you just coast and decel and then start up when you need to up the speed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TMetalMan
But if you shut the engine off while cruising, not only is it illegal, but you lose power steering and brakes .
If you are moving above 10-15 MPH, power steering might not be an issue, but it'll take some effort to turn the wheel. Power brakes...you still have 2 to 3 presses before you lose power assist, but you can still operate the brakes without power assist.
This scares the crap out of me. That idiot who is the "hyper mile king", is actually a menace to other motorists. Oh sure, he's saving a bundle on gas money but.....
Anyone who turns their vehicle off while on the road is dumb. Sure, you might have some of the power assist left, but why risk it? Same with the power steering. And no one can convince me otherwise. One might make an argument that all cars used to have manual steering and brakes with no power assist available.....but that is entirely different. The steering wheels were huge (for added leverage), the steering ratios were designed for the effort, and the tires were skinny. As far as brakes go, the vehicles that didn't have power brakes had drum brakes front and rear. And drum brakes require much less effort to on the pedal to produce the same braking power at the wheels.
The reason this whole "phenomena" scares me is because there will be others who try this, and will wreck because they didn't understand what I have just described. What a shame.
Imagine the massive wear and tear on that guy's starter and starting system.
To the OP, shifting to N from D is probably not doing anything. The fact is your engine is still running, meaning the engine is still burning gas, negates any possible friction savings of N to D to N. Just ease up on jack rabbit starts, and do not exceed the speed limit, but stay in the right lanes so not to c()ck-block others.
Sorry for jumping around, but back to the hyper mile people. Another thing they do is haul ass around corners, trying not to touch their brakes. That's just what every town needs, people flying around corners with their hand on the ignition waiting for that perfect time to kill the engine. LAME. Those guys are using the gas savings, and using that money to buy tires more often than some driving properly.
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1993 Camry LE 5SFE AT, 2006 Nissan Armada LE 4x4, 1971 Cadillac Coupe DeVille "pimp juice"
Toys: 2007 Coachmen 19FLB, 2007 Regal 1900 V6
I'm the biggest boss thatchu seen thus far! Baby, that's muh wi'zzard!
Last edited by eurohazard; 06-07-2008 at 10:40 PM.
and for the record...in case someone was thinkin. you save NO gas by droppin into nutral at stop lights. heat yes but gas no. ive tried it in the past on 3 tanks and saved NO gas. the engine revs lower at idle in gear anyways.
one very good way to save gas is to accelerate down inclines and before them and let the car coast up them.
and hypermile works if u have unlimited funds to maintain the ignition system on a overly regular basis.
use your brain. never turn the car off when youre on the road. at long stoplights, sure. at costco's downward-sloping gas station line, sure, making sure you keep a good distance between you and the dude in front of you in case your brakes fail. but on the road, you couldnt pay me to do it.
the only time its helpful to put your car in neutral is if youre coming to a stop on a downward-sloping hill. driving efficiently entails smooth acceleration and smooth braking; by shifting into neutral when braking down a hill you eliminate the forward force pushing your car down the hill, which helps you come to a more gradual stop (the idea is that if the light at the bottom of the hill turns green before you reach a stop, youll save that much gas getting mack up to speed).
^^ not a huge gain in gas efficiency, but i imagine it also helps your brakes a little (in the long run, probably also not by much)
otherwise, just accelerate and brake gradually. keep your tach below/at 2000, and GET IN THE RIGHT LANE when necessary. there's really nothing else you can do to gain mileage in a camry without sacrificing the safety of yourself, your passengers, or others on the road. ive gotten 400 miles on a tank that way (i'd get more if it wasnt for some occasional back-road foolishness ).
Actually a modern fuel injected vehicle uses little gas to start. It's the old carburetor engines, and the handed down sayings that keep that notion alive.
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1993 Camry LE 5SFE AT, 2006 Nissan Armada LE 4x4, 1971 Cadillac Coupe DeVille "pimp juice"
Toys: 2007 Coachmen 19FLB, 2007 Regal 1900 V6
I'm the biggest boss thatchu seen thus far! Baby, that's muh wi'zzard!
It would cost me more in the long run to leave my car in gear at stop lights.
how so? ya think ya may be saving the tranny by reducing heat and taking the burden off of the torque converter but shifting in and out of drive will ware out other parts of the tranny much faster then the T/C. at long lights or stops in really hot weather id have to agree. ill even do it when im stopped for longer periods of time in hot weather, but i try to avoid it.
how so? ya think ya may be saving the tranny by reducing heat and taking the burden off of the torque converter but shifting in and out of drive will ware out other parts of the tranny much faster then the T/C. at long lights or stops in really hot weather id have to agree. ill even do it when im stopped for longer periods of time in hot weather, but i try to avoid it.
Because I'd wear out the throw out bearing faster or my car would buck, stall, force me to restart, wear the engine mounts, and give me whiplash.
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