My gas saving idea.

I've heard a lot of people talking of how much of a mileage change a change of exhaust, or intake or tires and wheels will make, etc.

But, I've noticed that no matter what I do to the truck, my mileage is directly and most importantly affected by my right foot and the prudent use of it.

I've kept a rule that maintaining the tach at under 2000 RPM does accelerate the truck sufficiently and holds speeds of up to 75 MPH on the freeway and that's all that I need.

So, I suppose my self imposed rule of keeping the tach under 2K by controlling my desires to drive like a maniac or be affected by bad drivers goes back to the mind and moderating your desires.


DO you agree that merely prudent driving is the best way to save gas regardless of mods?

 

Yep. I try to shift at 2000 rpm. With a manual though the revs are much higher at 70-75. 2000 rpm in 6th is about 60 mph.

 

omg those smart cars are so light. me and a couple friends picked one up and moved it sideways in a parkingspace. that dude was pissed. he had to stay there and wait for people to leave so he could. but yeah i try to keep it under 2000. between 1500 and 2000. thats my habit. i do alot of city driving. so stop and go is a bitch

 

I run my Dc auto at 2k rpm and am getting about 22.5 in mixed driving.

 

My dc standard, if run at 2000rpm I get about 22.5 mixed.

 

I get 21-22 avg for a tank with mixed driving as well... I follow the same method as ERdept - seems like the way to go to me.

 

I drove 630 miles today with my 09 DC 4x4 and got 22.9 mpg to 23.1 mpg running 73 mph and 2200 rpm's. I was more than pleased by that especially since I only have 1700 miles on her after today!

 

TDM - that is awesome... we drove from Tampa to PA and got 23.4mpg avg the whole way! We are very pleased with the Tacoma's economy!

 

I know! I was amazed to get this mileage. I make this trip pretty often and was hoping for better mileage than my Explorer but this was more than I expected! I am liking this Taco more and more each day. I figure once I get a few more miles on her that I will see that 23.4 myself.

 

geez im lucky if i get 18 MPG ive been getting more like 17.3 MPG and i dont stomp on it either..

 

I must add that my scan gauge has helped alot as well....not sure it has changed my driving habits that much but makes me very aware of how my right foot effects my fuel mpg.

 

I just came back from a cross county trip (SoCal to Maryland) a little more than 2,700 miles. Took meticulous gas and mileage tabs. With ac most of the time, some gear and an extra passenger and I managed an average of 23.2 mpg.

 

i agree with my own proof. i just recently tried doing the same thing my self. i have the 2.7 four-banger. i drive mostly highway but i live in a small town with lots of stopping. i average out 25 mpg when driving normal or somewhat aggressive(i hate stupid drivers, and we have LOTS of them where i live)

in the last week i experimented with shifting at 2500 rpm or lower which is low-tach for a 4-cyl, but i try to travel around 2k. before this i was shifting anywhere from 3000 up to 4500 rpm. after the 2500 testing run (6 gallons of gas) i ended up with 27.2 mpg as a result of "smart shifting".

hope this helps!

 

hmmm, I question tdm156 and c80drew's posts. A 4-cyl engine can get what they are reporting. A V6 engine cannot. I know because I own a 4-cyl. And the EPA tested the V6 an average of 20 mpg hwy just for the pre-runner and about 18 for 4X4.

 

^Question all you want but you're believing a federal agency over real world numbers. I ask you, what do the feds ever do right?

Anyhow, the numbers posted are legit. I've gotten 23mpg hwy, usually 22mpg. I averaged 22mpg with about 500-600lbs of stuff loaded in the bed and the cab over about 570 miles.

 

I believe that we all still have the right to choose whatever vehicle that we want, even if we don't have all out needs for a truck and just like our trucks, or trucks in general.

It has not come to the point where the government is choosing cars for us to drive yet.

And I will NOT be pushed around by echo freaks making me feel bad for buying a truck and not buying a Smart Car.

So, bottom line is, whatever you drive, be it a Hummer, Tacoma, or Volvo, or Civic, you can still have freedom of choice to select that vehicle, but can totally still contribute to savings by just prudent use of your right foot.

 

I have found it hard to believe too but I have done the math by hand from mileage and fuel put in and I am within .1 to .2 mpg of what my scan gauge II is giving me.
Today I drove 100 miles on dirt roads and off road not over 50mph and sat for 1 1/2 idle with the a/c on and I am still showing 19.1 mpg for today.

 

Dude, I hear you man... I couldn't believe it myself. I did the calculations over 3 tanks on my trip back from Florida, and they all averaged around 22.5-23.4.... I can't really explain it, other than that I have an Undercover Tonneau (which as I understand, may not really make a difference).

I was shocked to find my avg mpg at 21 around here in Central PA. I think it really all has to do with how you drive - like the original poster said.

 

^Regardless, at least you're smart enough to be a Flyers fan.