YACT: Saving Some Gas

[Gamingphreek]

I have been driving a manual transmission for over 2 years now, and with the recent gas prices i am starting to try to improve upon my 14MPG.

In my attempts, right i shift at around 2500RPM. Additionally, when simply cruising at anything above 25 i shift to 5th gear. Is there something better i could be doing, or is shifting to such a high gear at such a low speed a bad idea (I rev-match and downshift if i need power).

In addition to that i also am accelerating extremely slow, i dont know how longer that is going to last because:
A. Its pissing me off
B. Its pissing the people behind me off

Oil is changed every 5,000 miles on the car and i use Castrol regular motor oil (IIRC 10W-30). AIr filter was also replaced about 10,000 miles ago (not that it would do much).

Also the car is a '92 Toyota 4x4 (96,000 miles on it). I will be avoiding the highway because for some reason it is HORRIBLY geared. When driving at 70 on the interstate, i average about 3200RPM. I normally cruise at ~75 on the interstate, so im sure 14MPG is a far cry from what i am getting. It should also be noted that the reason for this is because when shifting to 5th gear it only drops the RPM's about 400, rather than the ~1000 that the other gears drop it. I have heard from a VERY knowledgable source that this is just not geared for that fast driving, but 400RPM vs 1000 just seems like so much.

Is there anything else i can do, short of getting a new car (I got Senior Prom, and College and stuff to worry about so car is almost out of the question).

-Kevin

 

[TNM93]

Take public transportation if it's available. Other than that, your truck will continue to get bad gas mileage.

 

[Neurorelay]

Death is the only option, save millions!

 

[dugweb]

acetone your gas tank

 

[Gamingphreek]

I have to get to school, and ill suck it up rather than take the bus (Senior year).

Other than that, it is kind of hard to go with my friends without a car. Additionally i have to work, and pic up my younger siblings.

Barring Public Systems, and Buying a new Car, what else can i do?

-Kevin

 

[quakefiend420]

tune up...replace plugs and wires, that can help...what you're doing sounds good...i would accelerate a bit faster though if you're being annoying

also may as well clean the air filter while you're under there...i seem to remember someone saying something about retarding timing just a bit...you'll lose some power but gain some gas mileage...this could be bs though, so don't try that without talking to someone who knows first

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: dugweb
acetone your gas tank

Ok what is that, and what does it do?

-Kevin

 

[Lithium381]

yeah, the 5th gear is only a half ratio compared to the rest. At 25mph you're better off using 4th gear instead, and on the highway, only go 65, that will help A LOT. I'm also driving a 4x4 toyota(88) and i manage to get around 18-20mpg. Shifting at 2500 is a good idea, i usually do between 2500 - 3000, unless i'm merging or something, if you see a red light ahead, don't accellerate into it, i see people that are on the gas up until 2 ft before the line then have to slam on the brakes....not something i understand, but that's not how i drive, i coast as much as possible, stay in the right lane on freeways and average around 60 - 65 mph. good luck!

edit - oh yeah, and smaller tires help too, or so i've heard, i'm driving 31"ers....keep the engine well tuned(seems you're already trying!)

 

[Gamingphreek]

I replaced the circular air filter. However it seems that my car has another air filter that is square. I think, although it is a strong possibility that i am wrong, that it is the Cabin Airfilter. I can change both again though.

Ill take a pic in the morning of what i am referring to.

Keep suggestions coming.

-Kevin

 

[Gamingphreek]

60 - 65 mph. good luck

Just stab me now

I resort to staying off the highway... i am not on it that much as everything is pretty local around here. I dont think i could survive going 60 on I-95. I will get my a$$ run over if i try that. Staying off sounds like the best plan of action.

WHy is 5th a half ratio. It is almost like it isn't a gear, as it acts the way an OD would.

-Kevin

 

[blackwolf1975]

14mpg out of a toyota truck? Send it to the crusher and buy a corolla

 

[Harriet Tubgirl]

yalamicds thread lol

 

[Lithium381]

WHy is 5th a half ratio. It is almost like it isn't a gear, as it acts the way an OD would.

Um.....that's exactly what it is. OD simply means a gear ratio less than 1. It's meant for cruising, when you've got a lot of momentum built up, because most engines when put at a ratio like that aren't very powerful, that's why for example your 1st gear is around 4:1 ratio, to get you started.

 

[Kadarin]

Check tire pressure often, and overinflate by a couple of psi.

 

[Sheepathon]

I coast in neutral all the f'in time.

 

[thedarkwolf]

You will still get better mileage on the interstate at a steady 70mph then the back roads at 55mph if you are constantly having to slow down and speed up for lights and other cars turning on and off the road. 3200rpms isn't that high for a 4 banger on the interstate. Its pretty much the norm especially in something like a truck.

If you have off road tires on it loose them. Other then tuning it up loose weight. You bought a 4wd truck live with it.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: Sheepathon
I coast in neutral all the f'in time.

If that does anything it wastes more gas since alot fuel injected cars turn their fuel injectors OFF when engine braking.

 

[Sheepathon]

By coast in neutral I mean I always look a few hundred feet ahead if possible, so if there's a red light, I'll go to neutral and coast all the way up to the light, or if I see my freeway exit coming up, I'll start coasting in the right lane within a certain distance. I get off the exit every day, so I know exactly where and when to go to neutral. I don't downshift to slow down at all.

 

[Printer Bandit]

fart in a jar.

 

[0roo0roo]

if you see a red light ahead, don't accellerate into it, i see people that are on the gas up until 2 ft before the line then have to slam on the brakes....not something i understand, but that's not how i drive

when u get to the line first u are the winnar!!

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: Printer Bandit
fart in a jar.

FTW

 

[bleeb]

ride your bike b1tch! Carpool you arsehole, properly inflated tires help, new air filter too.

 

[bootymac]

New spark plugs, new air filter, oil change, new oil filter, clean your throttle body

Might as well walk

 

[Eli]

Floor it everywhere you go, but shift early.

 

[wfbberzerker]

obligitory *dont drive a truck* post