Saving Gas???
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Layton Ut, Best country!
Saving Gas???
Hey can anyone tell me if dropping into first gear on an automatic to slow yourself down at a light saves gas or uses up more gas?? sorry I'm an idiot!! LOL. thanks for any information setting me strait!
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,518
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Uses more gas and uses more transmission. You don't need to do this. Anticipate the stop lights and time your self to avoid the red or coast up to the sign with minimal braking.
The less you use the brakes, including the engine as a brake, the less gas you will use.
And yes, this means driving like an old grandpa.
The less you use the brakes, including the engine as a brake, the less gas you will use.
And yes, this means driving like an old grandpa.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 4
Fuel consumption has much more to do with throttle position than engine rpm. Many people confuse this because they know that fuel consumption goes up as speed goes up, also rpm goes up with speed. However throttle position increases with increased speed and rpm. In drive, my car is at 2000 rpm at 60mph. In neutral I can hit 2000 rpm with much less throttle. The difference, the amount of power the engine is being asked to produce.
Having said that, comparing closed throttle coasting to a stop to closed throttle engine braking, there is no difference in fuel consumption. The throttle position is the same in both cases.
Put another way, when the throttle is closed, little to no air flows so (in the case of carbs) little to no fuel is drawn from the carb. In the case of fuel injection, the throttle position sensor and oxygen sensor will be used by the computer to shut down fuel flow.
Having said that, comparing closed throttle coasting to a stop to closed throttle engine braking, there is no difference in fuel consumption. The throttle position is the same in both cases.
Put another way, when the throttle is closed, little to no air flows so (in the case of carbs) little to no fuel is drawn from the carb. In the case of fuel injection, the throttle position sensor and oxygen sensor will be used by the computer to shut down fuel flow.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
Don't know if this helps but one of the biggest power robbing device is your altenator. It can put somewhat of a big drag on your engine depending what accessories are on at the time. More throttle, more fuel. Just my opinion.
