What to do for MPG and towing????

[icur12]

Guys,

I just purchased an 08 CrewMax 4x4 5.7. I traded in the 4Runner because I have a travel trailer I use in the summer to camp with the family. I realize that I did purchase the "big" motor and shouldn't complain about the gas mileage which I am not!! The 4Runner was averaging 19MPG and the truck seems to get around 15 right now with about 1000 miles on it. My question is what is the best thing to do to gain some extra MPG's that will not effect my towing capacity and hurt the truck? i.e. void the warrenty. I do not want to spend a ton of money however I do look at it and say that if I can find something that will for sure get me better mileage then the add ons will pay for themselves pretty quick with the price of gas these days!!! Any thoughts??

Thanks in advaned.

Pete

[Flygirl]

I just read an article about "hypermilers"...they use some pretty extreme techniques to get unbelievable gas mileage. I wouldn't recommend most of what they do, but I started doing two tips, which is to drive like your Tundra doesn't have brakes, then shut the engine off at red lights. My city mileage went from 14 to 20! That's even better than my highway mileage of 18.5 mpg (driving 60mph). That's with a 2008 Tundra 4x4 with the 5.7L.
Just a thought. You can search for their tips online.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by Flygirl

I just read an article about "hypermilers"...they use some pretty extreme techniques to get unbelievable gas mileage. I wouldn't recommend most of what they do, but I started doing two tips, which is to drive like your Tundra doesn't have brakes, then shut the engine off at red lights. My city mileage went from 14 to 20! That's even better than my highway mileage of 18.5 mpg (driving 60mph). That's with a 2008 Tundra 4x4 with the 5.7L.
Just a thought. You can search for their tips online.

Oohh the wear and tear on the starter.

[Wallygator]

Originally Posted by Mickey

Oohh the wear and tear on the starter.

Yeah, seems like a little much to me. However, I did disconnect my brakes and rely solely on the parking brake to slow me down when needed.

[Codiac]

The starter should be able to handle it but I would be more concerned about the constant starting of the engine itself. Every time you shut it off the oil starts to drain down to the pan. Less oil on startup and a BUNCH more start ups that normal usage and?????????????

Start slowing down early for known stops. Use less brakes and you will have less wear on them and use less fuel. Try not to stop at all for upcoming stops and stay rolling. You will save a ton of fuel that way. If you Aim High in Steering say 15 seconds ahead of yourself you will be able to roll thru a bunch of green lights instead of stopping for red ones.

[stebo]

I just stick my foot out the door and stop Flinstone style LOL jk
I'm not crazy about shutting the engine off and on. Just sounds ruff on engine and starter.

[Stag556]

I don't know if its true but I heard it takes more fuel to start up the engine anyway then to let it just idle at the light. Could be wrong.

[Flygirl]

If wear was the case, you would have had to replace both the starter and the engine on my Honda Insight on a regular basis. It shuts the engine off every time you let off the gas. Mines got 140,000 miles. The hi voltage battery has been replaced twice though.
And cold weather starts are the hardest on an engine, worse than ANYTHING else you do (short of running the engine with no oil at all).

[Tundra Town]

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

I drive 40 miles to work one way, about 50/50 city highway. Even on the worst day, I only get stopped by about 5 lights. I can't imagine it hurting the truck to start it 6 times (once at home ). If it did, we would all leave our trucks running when we go in stores, pump gas, etc.

I might have to give it a try, especially if gas hits $4 a gallon.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by Codiac

The starter should be able to handle it but I would be more concerned about the constant starting of the engine itself. Every time you shut it off the oil starts to drain down to the pan. Less oil on startup and a BUNCH more start ups that normal usage and?????????????

Start slowing down early for known stops. Use less brakes and you will have less wear on them and use less fuel. Try not to stop at all for upcoming stops and stay rolling. You will save a ton of fuel that way. If you Aim High in Steering say 15 seconds ahead of yourself you will be able to roll thru a bunch of green lights instead of stopping for red ones.

Only if you have the cold weather package with the heavy duty starter. You consider how many times you start you engine doing this will take a toll on the brushes and the armature. According to the Smith Driving System just let off the gas alot earlier and coast which is less wear and tear on your brakes and the gas savings will go up. Stop behind vehicle at least 12 - 15ft. Wait till car in front takes off count to one and then take off but don't go faster than the vehicle in front of you. Keep a 4 second interval between you and the car in front of you. This would give you time to stop at any speed plus able to make any decisions you need with time to spare. By using this type of driving your saving in gas will go up. Your wear and tear on your vehicle will go down. Thus your savings.

[Scooter Computer]

I think if you do it right, there shouldn't be all that much stopping anyway, unless you are driving in VERY heavy traffic.
What about dropping into neutral to coast? I think I've heard that this is bad for the transmission, something to do with pumping the fluid backwards if the truck is in motion maybe??? I believe that is why you are supposed to disconnect the drive shaft to tow a vehicle for long distances.

[YB929RR]

Keep your air filter clean and tire pressure up......my 2 cents worth.

[DaveRoberts]

Don't use neutral to coast! Very bad for the trans.

[sxd45]

If your vehicle isnt going to be off for more than five minutes you will waste more gas on start up, so unless your going to be sitting in the same place for 5-10 minutes than leave it running, face it a big v8 drinks gas and there is nothing to really improve it. Just keep your foot out of it, this is the hardest thing to do! And use your cruise control on the freeway and you should be good. Oh yeah congrats on the truck.

[2x Tundra]

Originally Posted by sxd45

If your vehicle isnt going to be off for more than five minutes you will waste more gas on start up, so unless your going to be sitting in the same place for 5-10 minutes than leave it running, face it a big v8 drinks gas and there is nothing to really improve it. Just keep your foot out of it, this is the hardest thing to do! And use your cruise control on the freeway and you should be good. Oh yeah congrats on the truck.

New studies have shown this not to be true. You WILL save gas shutting off as long as your vehicle doesn't have a "high idle at start up" condition.