Does this save gas? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

stanno · 06-04-2009, 08:58 AM

Out of all the little things i do to conserve gas in my camry, there's one i'm eager to kno if it works... that is, putting the transmission in N while i'm at a light or come to a stop longer than 5 secs . am i saving any gas there or am i just wearing my transmission down faster by doing that ...?

- stanno

Hajoca · 06-04-2009, 02:03 PM

Yes it does reduce fuel consumed.

Shifting from Neutral to Drive should not wear out the transmission clutches by an appreciable amount. Engine mounts will get stress (compression and tension) relief as well.

This will remove load to engine and then EFI controller can reduce fuel used and advance ignition timing to keep engine running without stalling.

Do you run AC?

Every time the engine is loaded ie AC, power steering, lamps, etc. the engine control will 'idle up' to provide enough power from engine to run these ancillary systems.

stanno · 06-04-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hajoca

Yes it does reduce fuel consumed.

Shifting from Neutral to Drive should not wear out the transmission clutches by an appreciable amount. Engine mounts will get stress (compression and tension) relief as well.

This will remove load to engine and then EFI controller can reduce fuel used and advance ignition timing to keep engine running without stalling.

Do you run AC?

Every time the engine is loaded ie AC, power steering, lamps, etc. the engine control will 'idle up' to provide enough power from engine to run these ancillary systems.

I'm real happy to know it does. my car is equipped with a/c but i don't use it if i'm trying to conserve petrol.

viktord1 · 06-07-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanno

I'm real happy to know it does. my car is equipped with a/c but i don't use it if i'm trying to conserve petrol.

Some say that at around 65mph it's more efficient to use your A/C than to roll down the windows.

My cousins Subaru Outback 2.5i got 33mpg highway with the A/C on, and on the way back on the same road we got 33mpg with the windows and sunroof rolled down

JCamry94 · 06-07-2009, 11:15 PM

^ well la-tee-da

It definitely does a small amount. I try to coast when I'm short gas as well.

I've heard that somewhere between 2 - 3k rpm's lies the most efficient spot for acceleration

Mike Gerber · 06-08-2009, 01:47 PM

I would just leave the car in drive. The tiny amount you may be saving on fuel is offset by the wear you are putting on the transmission and the engine mounts, IMHO. If this was really an effective way to save on fuel, all the OEM car manufacturers would be recommending it.

Mike

Deadly Sushi · 06-08-2009, 09:34 PM

Dear Lord! Do NOT keep putting it in neutral at lights!!! You are wearing MANY components out needlessly.

It MIGHT...... might save you a few drops of fuel but no WAY is it worth it.

Try using acetone in your fuel. I know we have a write-up about it somewhere.

SaganGathering · 06-08-2009, 10:51 PM

(in cars using electronic fuel injection) when turning off the engine at stops of 30 secs or more. (I've heard as little as 10 secs from other, less famous sources)

I easily found one of their pages on the topic:

Source: http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/g...u-nowhere.html

This was a slightly-related forward-looking brief on saving fuel: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles...to-reduce.html

stanno · 06-09-2009, 09:37 AM

okay, some folk say it wont cause any significant wear on my transmission, and others say it will. is it yay or nay on goin neutral at stops ... cuz if it does cause damage, it's really not worth it... and i really dont want to have to replace this tranny any time soon

Deadly Sushi · 06-09-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanno

okay, some folk say it wont cause any significant wear on my transmission, and others say it will. is it yay or nay on goin neutral at stops ... cuz if it does cause damage, it's really not worth it... and i really dont want to have to replace this tranny any time soon

I wouldnt risk it. ESPECIALLY for such a tiny drop of fuel.

Lightning Blue · 06-10-2009, 08:46 AM

I wouldn't do it either, plus, it can be a safety risk.

bronzemaxell · 06-10-2009, 09:51 AM

i always shift my transmission to N and coast to a stop sign and at traffic light stop, but mine is a manual transmission, my brother always leaving it in gear and holding down the clutch while stop, and i thought that would have more wear to the clutch disc.

stanno · 06-10-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronzemaxell

i always shift my transmission to N and coast to a stop sign and at traffic light stop, but mine is a manual transmission, my brother always leaving it in gear and holding down the clutch while stop, and i thought that would have more wear to the clutch disc.

in your case it would be different, more or less, a manual transmission was designed to be engaged and disengaged frequently from time to time, whereas a auto, was made to be put in "Drive" and go. more precisely i think your brother sitting on the clutch at a stop would put excessive wear on the pressure plate more than anything else. better to neutral in the case of a manual imho ...

viktord1 · 06-10-2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronzemaxell

i always shift my transmission to N and coast to a stop sign and at traffic light stop, but mine is a manual transmission, my brother always leaving it in gear and holding down the clutch while stop, and i thought that would have more wear to the clutch disc.

dont shift to neutral while you are trying to stop the car. that way you are not using the engine's breaking effect and your brakes will wear out faster.

bronzemaxell · 06-10-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viktord1

dont shift to neutral while you are trying to stop the car. that way you are not using the engine's breaking effect and your brakes will wear out faster.

i've heard about other people saying speed and gear match shifting while decelerating, but i rather shift to N, replace brake pad is much easier than changing clutch disc and pressure plate.

and i had very bad experience not shifting to N trying to stop the car, one time i was driving on two lanes shopping mall traffic going at 10 to 15 miles per hour, the guy next to me decided to shift over to my lane without looking, signaling, maybe blind spot, within a split second, i stepped on my brake padle so hard to avoid the collision, one hand honk horn, one hand on steering wheel, no hand to shift to N, no time to step on clutch pedal, and my speed went to 0mph, so i brake while transmission in still in gear, and the engine stalled, lost all power assist, luckily i got away without any scratch, restarted my car and kept going.