Looks like more voodoo contraptions from greedy companies trying cash in on the fuel crisis. Fitch must have paid a healthy sum for running that clip. IMHO of course... Remember the automobile industry is near collapse and if anything works to increase mpg (aside from alternative fuel, aerodynamics, weight, hp, etc…), there would be no hesitation on their part to install the gizmos.
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07 Taco, 4X4, DC, LB, A/T + extra goodies...
As AAATACO said, if they really worked that well, they would have something similar from the factory, especially on say, the Tundra, because sales of low mpg vehicles are dwindling (if not plummeting).
Instead of buying an unproven gizmo, buy a scanguage. That's what I did, and not only is it a neat toy, but you can monitor your driving habbits and adjust them for better fuel economy. I've gained 5 mpg without feeling like I'm going slower (okay, maybe a little slower, but it's harder to hit the gas when you see a big mpg number while you're coasting). With real-time mpg readouts, you know that the little tricks you're employing to save gas are actually working.
For instance, I used to think it would save gas to shift into neutral going downhill but the Taco will shut off the fuel while going downhill (above about 1000 rpm) and let momentum keep up the rpms. Also, I once heard that I would save gas by shifting into neutral at stoplights - also false. The idle consumption for me is .34 gph in drive and it goes up to .37 in neutral (why, I do not know).
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'06, PreRunner, V6, SR5, TRD Sport, Access Cab
It's better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.
Tom Jackson - Birmingham, AL
I may give it a shot anyways. It seems that nobody has tried it, and they have a 90 return policy for any reason. If I didn't see dyno results, I'd call bs too. But I have yet to see those guys on HPTV blatantly lie. If I do end up getting one, I'll let you guys know what happens.
For instance, I used to think it would save gas to shift into neutral going downhill but the Taco will shut off the fuel while going downhill (above about 1000 rpm) and let momentum keep up the rpms. Also, I once heard that I would save gas by shifting into neutral at stoplights - also false. The idle consumption for me is .34 gph in drive and it goes up to .37 in neutral (why, I do not know).
Because the RPM's are higher in neutral than at idle.
__________________ Eric
2007 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 V6 DC SB
I may give it a shot anyways. It seems that nobody has tried it, and they have a 90 return policy for any reason. If I didn't see dyno results, I'd call bs too. But I have yet to see those guys on HPTV blatantly lie. If I do end up getting one, I'll let you guys know what happens.
Well, I hope it works out for you, but I have a feeling you're not going to get squat out of it. Make sure before you buy that that's a money back guarantee and not a replacement guarantee. Though I'm very, very skeptical, I hope it does work. Be sure to report back, I'm curious to know if it has any affect.
Of course, good results could be a product of a placebo effect... you assume you're getting better gas mileage so you subconsciously let off the throttle a bit...
Quote:
Originally Posted by WilsonTheDog
Snake oil.
Because the RPM's are higher in neutral than at idle.
I figured that was the case, but I don't know why the rpms are higher...
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'06, PreRunner, V6, SR5, TRD Sport, Access Cab
It's better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.
Tom Jackson - Birmingham, AL
^I don't know the technical reasons because I'm just a hack, really, but it has something to do with the engine being under a slight load while in gear.
__________________ Eric
2007 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 V6 DC SB
I don't know the dynamics of engine loads, but I expect you're right - maybe the engine has to run a little bit faster to keep the compression up in neutral, but being under a slight load helps boost compression and therefore engine rpms can be lower?
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'06, PreRunner, V6, SR5, TRD Sport, Access Cab
It's better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.
Tom Jackson - Birmingham, AL
FYI: There's a review in the latest edition (Oct.) of Sport Truck magazine. They're saying they picked up 2.5mpg. I'm still not sold but I figured I'd pass it along.
__________________ Eric
2007 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 V6 DC SB
^I don't know the technical reasons because I'm just a hack, really, but it has something to do with the engine being under a slight load while in gear.
Could be something totally different also....since scanguages are from the computer and putting the car into neutral may change some OTHER paramater other than JUST being in neutral....a gas engine has VERY low efficiency at idle, its hard to say whats going on.
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