Trying to save gas........

[cheeriooss]

I'm a total car noob. I'm wondering if there is a car part that helps gas efficiency and if something like that does exist, is it noticeable?

[reelknead1]

learn to drive slow and steady. That and if you feel like tailgating a tractortrailers, but I DON"T RECOMMEND IT!

[GQQSE13]

closest you will get to helping that is maybe adding a cai, full exhaust w/ an aftermarket s pipe (since its very restrictive) and maybe lower it some for some better aero dynamics. that's about the only things i know that might help and that's just very little.

[CarbonXe]

It's all in the way you drive. Tire pressure, mods, etc will all have some effect, but nothing will take a toll on gas mileage more than driving habits. Like reelknead said, drafting on trucks helps A LOT. I got 27MPG going from NJ to WV, 90% highway, 18" rims, 34psi all around, with cargo. During that stretch, I reset my ScanGauge while cruising, got behind an 18 wheeler and put the drafting to the test. After 10 miles of drafting at 70 MPH, with a decent distance from the truck (enough that I felt safe), I was getting 44mpg...in a tC.

[draxcaliber]

there really isn't any cost effective measure for increasing gas mileage. yes, some parts could slightly increase mpg, but the amount of money you spend buying those parts, will never be made up by such a menial saving in mpg.

take out any and all unnecessary weight out of the car, combine trips so that you can get more things done in one trip, control your acceleration, and braking to minimize fuel consumption. make sure your tires are properly inflated, keep the car well maintained etc.

[Mid_Life_tC-risis]

^^Good tips.

Mods will not affect your mileage if you maintain the same driving habits. I carefully document my mileage ... was getting a little over 28mpg stock ... after bolting on I/H/E and lowering springs ... I'm getting a little over 28mpg.

Best gas mileage mod = LWRF (lightweight right foot)

[zer0myst]

Mid_Life_tC-risis wrote:
Best gas mileage mod = LWRF (lightweight right foot)
Agreed.

[Scoobasteve4132]

gotta find me one of those!...

but did get just short of 400 miles (390 and change) on one tank all highway though, from VA Beach to Rock Hill, SC...

And that's even boostin' past some toy cars in Durham, NC... ;)

[engifineer]

GQQSE13 wrote: closest you will get to helping that is maybe adding a cai, full exhaust w/ an aftermarket s pipe (since its very restrictive) and maybe lower it some for some better aero dynamics. that's about the only things i know that might help and that's just very little.


CAI's by theory (although they hardly do anything on the tC) draw cooler, hence denser, air. Meaning more fuel must be added. The other parts improve flow, thus allowing more air in, thus meaning the system will add more fuel to keep AFR's in check. In other words, those mods, no matter how much the vendors try to tell you otherwise so you will buy them, do not "increase power and improve efficiency" :)

There are no items that actually will improve mileage. Some say they will, most have been proven to be myths.

The way you drive is going to be the only large improvement. And if you start spending money to buy parts that help (even saying the do help.. although they wont), you have to factor in the money you spend vs the mileage you gain. 5mph only will save you a few hundred bucks a year.. and you arent going to find a part that saves you that.

[BlckdOutTC]

drafting 18 wheelers cant be good for ur front ends paint lol

[BZinn1]

I know in my Yaris it has DMCO.......every time I let of the gas it shuts off fuel to the motor......the tC should have the same feature....thought it was on all newer cars.

So when I drive down a hill i let off the gas and when I see the stop light is red I let off and coast up......takes a while to get used to doing it.....

Just make sure not to offset this by mashing the gas when you take off at the lights......lol

[paulky_2000]

cheeriooss wrote: I'm a total car noob. I'm wondering if there is a car part that helps gas efficiency and if something like that does exist, is it noticeable?

You might try the "Garage"...
It's a bit pricey, but it'll protect your car while you ride a bicycle or take the bus to work....a SURE gas saver, the Garage!

[drjohnson36]

Performance-adding mods won't make an engine better on gas unless you own a diesel (I know a guy on a dodge forum who gets 21 mpg average on his 04 cummins, at 640 whp), or unless the mod is a turbocharger. Superchargers make your gas mileage worse cuz they draw power from the engine to drive the impeller. Turbos give you better mileage because they put otherwise wasted heat from the exhaust to work.

Exhaust systems are tricky, because a bit of backpressure can make an engine more efficient at lower RPM ranges. Reducing that restriction may not necessarily make your engine more powerful, just tweak the torque curve a bit and make it feel like its gotten more powerful. Here's a nice write up about backpressure:

http://yoursciontc.com/information/backpressure.html

As far as intakes go... the stock airbox isn't very restrictive, just judging from the fact that CAIs see little to no improvement in performance on our cars... so I don't see how adding one could make your mileage much better.

As everyone has said, go easy on the gas pedal, thats the best way to give yourself good mileage. I moved my seat back to make it harder to floor it (automatic tranny)... what do I see at the pump? 3 mpg increase... same daily commute.

[engifineer]

Turbos do not give you better mileage. They create less parasitic drag on the engine than a supercharger, but dont give you better mileage than stock. And while they do use wasted energy to turn the compressor, they are still adding a restriction to the exhaust flow, meaning they do add load to the engine to create power. So again, while more efficient than a supercharger, they still are not increasing mileage or producing power with no added load.

[CarbonXe]

engifineer wrote: Turbos do not give you better mileage. They create less parasitic drag on the engine than a supercharger, but dont give you better mileage than stock. And while they do use wasted energy to turn the compressor, they are still adding a restriction to the exhaust flow, meaning they do add load to the engine to create power. So again, while more efficient than a supercharger, they still are not increasing mileage or producing power with no added load.

They don't 'technically' give better gas mileage, but they do because of the power band. So many manufacturers are going with small turbo 4-cyls because they offer the power and mileage people demand.

As long as you stay out of boost, you can get better gas mileage. Most of the turbo tC guys are claiming 30-33mpg while staying out of boost.

[BlckdOutTC]

i imagine it is hard to stay out of boost though

[tlk90]

car and driver just came out with a whole bunch of tips on how to save gas some of it is common knowledge but its a pretty good article.... heres the link.. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/battle_high_gas_prices_tips_to_boost_your_fuel_economy_feature

[taco]

do the speed limit..... i can get 35 mpg no problem in my wifes tc.
she averages 27-30 on here small commute.

try a scangauge2 i put onw in my tacoma 4x4 and went from 21-23 mpg to 28-29 mpg.

[mattvs]

Fill your tank up in the morning and use the slowest pump setting. In the Evo I've been getting an average of 25 or so more miles per tank doing this. Driving habits have not changed.


edit: Also not using cheap pisswater AMPM/Arco gas helps. 10% ethanol and other worthless additives = suck+fail

[TTCCC]

Walk more.