Toyota recommends driving less to save gas . . .
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CL Community Team
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From: Canada
Toyota recommends driving less to save gas . . .
Toyota recommends driving less to save gas
Posted Jul 2nd 2008
Since Toyota, like other automakers doing business in the U.S., is currently unable to supply enough hybrids and other small fuel efficient cars to meet consumer demand, they are offering up other suggestions on how to conserve gas. Over on the Open Road blog, they have talked about hypermiling before but there is a solution that saves even more fuel and emissions. In a shocker for a car company, they actually suggest driving less.
As we've discussed before, there are plenty of ways to do just that. First of all, plan ahead. Instead of making separate trips to the store, to school to pick up the kids, and then to the soccer field, time things to make a single trip and plan the sequence to give you the shortest route. Go get a basket for your bike and use that for short trips to the store or a friend's house. If you have mass transit available, take the bus or train. Perhaps most important, just say no to drive throughs. Park the car and walk the 30 feet to get your burger or coffee.
[Source: Toyota]
Posted Jul 2nd 2008
Since Toyota, like other automakers doing business in the U.S., is currently unable to supply enough hybrids and other small fuel efficient cars to meet consumer demand, they are offering up other suggestions on how to conserve gas. Over on the Open Road blog, they have talked about hypermiling before but there is a solution that saves even more fuel and emissions. In a shocker for a car company, they actually suggest driving less.
As we've discussed before, there are plenty of ways to do just that. First of all, plan ahead. Instead of making separate trips to the store, to school to pick up the kids, and then to the soccer field, time things to make a single trip and plan the sequence to give you the shortest route. Go get a basket for your bike and use that for short trips to the store or a friend's house. If you have mass transit available, take the bus or train. Perhaps most important, just say no to drive throughs. Park the car and walk the 30 feet to get your burger or coffee.
[Source: Toyota]
Like budgeting, there is a technique for saving dollars. Out of the thousands of ways to do so, Toyota just offers one.
It's just funny to simplify the idea that an automaker tells people "Drive less...".
It's just funny to simplify the idea that an automaker tells people "Drive less...".
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,511
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Driving less may or may not save gas.........it depends on trip length and how warm you get the engine. Until the engine temperature gets to around 140 degrees or so (when the cold temperature light goes out or the gauge reaches the bottom end of the normal range) the engine computer is giving the injectors a richer-than-normal fuel mixture (more gas and less air) to compensate for poorer fuel vaporization at cold temperatrures. So, if you just run down to the corner store for a mile or so, and keep making repeated short trips instead of longer ones (especially in the cold winter when engine warm-up REALLY uses gas), you could end up using the same amount (or even more) gas than making long enough trips for the engine to fully warm up. In addition, not getting the engine fully warm can cause other engine and fuel-system problems as well from deposit build-up and high emissions....one reason the oil needs to be changed more often under those conditions.
Last edited by mmarshall; Jul 3, 2008 at 11:52 AM.
mmarshall, but thats exactly what toyota is suggesting, to plan your trips and make them all at once. If you hit 5 stores in 1 trip instead of making 5 separate trips, you drive less and more efficiently.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,511
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Although, of course, engines and fuel injection systems differ, in general, with non-hybrids, you are usually better off leaving the engine running if you are going to be idling less than a minute. Of course, you never know just how long you will be stalled at a light or behind the car in front of you before you can start up again...it is often a guessing game. And, don't forget, constant starting and stopping of a non-hybrid engine wears out the starter motor and drains the battery.
Geez - I've been consolidating trips for years because I'm lazy and don't want to do a lot of back and forth driving unless I have no alternative.
mmarshall is dead on with the cold cycle issues. The 2IS have electric heaters in the cooling system to raise the engine to operating temperature quicker (for emissions compliance) and there is another big reason for rich mixtures on cold start - the extra fuel lights up the cats quicker.
I've always recorded my best efficiency when I avoid engine stop/start as much as possible, and when I plan my trips, I typically drive to the farthest location I intend to go first to get the engine and transmission fully up to operating temperature. That way when I'm stopping on my way back, I only need to add enough heat to get back to normal temperature (oil, ATF, and coolant) and I don't lose as much to cold cycle operation.
mmarshall is dead on with the cold cycle issues. The 2IS have electric heaters in the cooling system to raise the engine to operating temperature quicker (for emissions compliance) and there is another big reason for rich mixtures on cold start - the extra fuel lights up the cats quicker.
I've always recorded my best efficiency when I avoid engine stop/start as much as possible, and when I plan my trips, I typically drive to the farthest location I intend to go first to get the engine and transmission fully up to operating temperature. That way when I'm stopping on my way back, I only need to add enough heat to get back to normal temperature (oil, ATF, and coolant) and I don't lose as much to cold cycle operation.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
Although, of course, engines and fuel injection systems differ, in general, with non-hybrids, you are usually better off leaving the engine running if you are going to be idling less than a minute. Of course, you never know just how long you will be stalled at a light or behind the car in front of you before you can start up again...it is often a guessing game. And, don't forget, constant starting and stopping of a non-hybrid engine wears out the starter motor and drains the battery.
Driving less may or may not save gas.........it depends on trip length and how warm you get the engine. Until the engine temperature gets to around 140 degrees or so (when the cold temperature light goes out or the gauge reaches the bottom end of the normal range) the engine computer is giving the injectors a richer-than-normal fuel mixture (more gas and less air) to compensate for poorer fuel vaporization at cold temperatrures. So, if you just run down to the corner store for a mile or so, and keep making repeated short trips instead of longer ones (especially in the cold winter when engine warm-up REALLY uses gas), you could end up using the same amount (or even more) gas than making long enough trips for the engine to fully warm up. In addition, not getting the engine fully warm can cause other engine and fuel-system problems as well from deposit build-up and high emissions....one reason the oil needs to be changed more often under those conditions.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CA
Driving less may help you save money on gas. . .but think about it. It's just not possible for those of us that need to commute long distances to work, or those of us (So Cal-ers) that have inadequate public transportation. Others say just live closer to your workplace, but what if you work in Bev Hills and the cost of living there is too expensive? Is moving to a multi-million dollar house worth saving fuel?
The best way to save fuel is to drive smart. Be alert and always look ahead, so instead of breaking, you can coast. Making sure your tires are inflated also helps a lot, and this website provides good tips on how to save money at the gas pump:
http://gabwith.us/3-silly-things-we-...-money-on-gas/
I know most of us don't like to do it. . .but driving slower, at 60 mph actually saves quite a bit of fuel. . .
The best way to save fuel is to drive smart. Be alert and always look ahead, so instead of breaking, you can coast. Making sure your tires are inflated also helps a lot, and this website provides good tips on how to save money at the gas pump:
http://gabwith.us/3-silly-things-we-...-money-on-gas/
I know most of us don't like to do it. . .but driving slower, at 60 mph actually saves quite a bit of fuel. . .
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