shutting off truck for better MPG

I just read where most newer vehicles use about the same amount of fuel to idle for 7 seconds as they do to start up, and therefore whenever you can coast w/ your vehicle off for more than 7 seconds you save fuel.

Does anyone know what the 4.0 V6 uses for fuel to start/idle, and does anyone actually do this?

 

IMO it's never good to shut off your vehicle for two reasons: 1-COOLING of engine and tranny-especially after a hill climb. 2-power assisted steering and brakes stop.

 

Wouldn't the steering wheel lock if you did that? Could make for a thrilling coast down the hill though!


.

 

Keep in mind that your power brakes/steering shut off too! This is VERY unsafe and I have seen lotsa sites & threads that say intermittantly (sp)coasting on the freeway can save you a ton of money but so can driving 55 or skipping the drive thru or keeping your tires inflated properly. I would rather people steal gas that coast on the freeway and put peoples lives in danger.

*****as chris steps down from his soapbox*****

but to answer your question I don't know how much energy is used at startup/idle....sorry!

 

no a/c. bad idea

 

Like the others said, its a bad idea because you lose power steering and power brakes.
One thing that would save gas is shutting off the engine while sitting at a red light though.

 

The most I have done recently is turning off my engine in a drive-thru (when it is taking a long time) or if I am at a light that I know takes a long time to change.

 

i would never do that to too many reasons already listed above, the only thing i do is shift it into nuetral when im coming to a stop or when im driving downhill, since the engine likes to use the engine to slow the truck down sometimes, i rather pay for brakes than gas these days. and i have an auto so i just push it into n and back to d when i need to go.

 

That's just plain stupid.

 

Good lord...i'm all about being thrifty but thats just plain stupid!
I could see at a long red light or a drive thru....but while your driving?

That said on downhill or coming up to a red light I will often times take my manual out of gear and just coast in so i'm not turning as many rpms.

 

That made a little sense in older engines, but not with this one. When the ECU decides you are decelerating it shuts the injectors off. Engine braking is essentially "free".

 

Turning off a moving truck to save money on gas makes as much sense as pulling out to save money on birth control.... Eventually it's going to cost you much more.

 

But like I said before-is it a good idea to take it out of gear after a long climb up a mountain and you've built up all that heat? When you take it out of gear the tranny stops spinning-which decreases heat dissipation. And that tranny gets pretty hot on a climb.

 

LMAO!! Reminds me of a shirt I wanted to get my kids: "Just like George W. daddy didn't know when to pull out"

 

If you're that concerned about gas mileage... perhaps you should leave the truck at home and drive a moped or scooter.

You're better off driving a little less or a little slower - than shutting it off in mid roadway. Totally unsafe. IMO

 

I shut it down if I can`t see the end of a train. But that is it.