Manual Shifting Questions
09-03-2014, 04:33 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Manual Shifting Questions
So I have a 97 Manual 4Runner and I've been trying to use it to save gas a lot. So here's my first question. Is it ok to shift directly from 3rd to 5th? I've found that often times I don't need the extra power of 4th and I know lower rpms will save the gas. Also, does it save gas more to let off the gas with the gears still engaged or with the clutch fully pressed in? I've read that leaving it in gear will make the weight of the vehicle pull the engine, and therefore shutting off the fuel injectors. One last thing. Since about June I've been taking my gas mileage. My top MPG is 21.74, lowest MPG is 14.72, and average is 17.49. Do those numbers seem good or what it should be getting?
09-03-2014, 05:17 AM
#2
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Posts: 2,121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes it's fine to skip shifts. As far as doing that to save gas not to sure. Your winding the motor up in 3rd or either lugging it in 5th. Use the gears to keep the engine in its power band where it's most efficient. That's why auto makers now have more transmission gears than before.
Those numbers are pretty good for a 4runner, which engine though? 2wd or 4wd?
Those numbers are pretty good for a 4runner, which engine though? 2wd or 4wd?
09-03-2014, 06:30 AM
#3
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes it's fine to skip shifts. As far as doing that to save gas not to sure. Your winding the motor up in 3rd or either lugging it in 5th. Use the gears to keep the engine in its power band where it's most efficient. That's why auto makers now have more transmission gears than before.
Those numbers are pretty good for a 4runner, which engine though? 2wd or 4wd?
Those numbers are pretty good for a 4runner, which engine though? 2wd or 4wd?
09-03-2014, 06:33 AM
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes it's fine to skip shifts. As far as doing that to save gas not to sure. Your winding the motor up in 3rd or either lugging it in 5th. Use the gears to keep the engine in its power band where it's most efficient. That's why auto makers now have more transmission gears than before.
Those numbers are pretty good for a 4runner, which engine though? 2wd or 4wd?
Those numbers are pretty good for a 4runner, which engine though? 2wd or 4wd?
09-03-2014, 07:40 AM
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-03-2014, 07:55 AM
#7
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Posts: 2,121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like the bicycle example for this.
Your riding a mountain bike, in a high gear it's hard to peddle and the peddles are turning slowly, yet if your in too low of a gear it's easy to peddle but your legs are going too fast. You need to be in the "sweet spot" that's in the middle.
Trending Topics
09-03-2014, 08:26 AM
#8
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Lugging is bad. Your putting the engine below its power band.
I like the bicycle example for this.
Your riding a mountain bike, in a high gear it's hard to peddle and the peddles are turning slowly, yet if your in too low of a gear it's easy to peddle but your legs are going too fast. You need to be in the "sweet spot" that's in the middle.
I like the bicycle example for this.
Your riding a mountain bike, in a high gear it's hard to peddle and the peddles are turning slowly, yet if your in too low of a gear it's easy to peddle but your legs are going too fast. You need to be in the "sweet spot" that's in the middle.
09-03-2014, 10:30 AM
#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-03-2014, 12:59 PM
#12
Registered User
Any time that the engine revs are so low and the power requirement is so great that the engine does'nt easily accelerate smoothly and quickly when the engine is given more than a little throttle; the engine is being 'lugged'.
Lugging an engine on a regular basis will shorten its life.
1200 revs @ 30mph sounds a bit slow, but might be OK if the road is level or downhill and no acceleration is required. Downshift would likely be necessary for substantial acceleration to occur.
Your engine will probably do better when gears are selected that permit it to run @ 2500 to 3500RPMs' with light throttle applied.
I often skip from second to 4th gear on both my 22Re and my 3.slo when conditions permit.
You should probably almost never use 5th gear in any city driving conditions or under 45-50MPH.
Lugging an engine on a regular basis will shorten its life.
1200 revs @ 30mph sounds a bit slow, but might be OK if the road is level or downhill and no acceleration is required. Downshift would likely be necessary for substantial acceleration to occur.
Your engine will probably do better when gears are selected that permit it to run @ 2500 to 3500RPMs' with light throttle applied.
I often skip from second to 4th gear on both my 22Re and my 3.slo when conditions permit.
You should probably almost never use 5th gear in any city driving conditions or under 45-50MPH.
Last edited by millball; 09-03-2014 at 01:06 PM.
09-03-2014, 08:10 PM
#13
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any time that the engine revs are so low and the power requirement is so great that the engine does'nt easily accelerate smoothly and quickly when the engine is given more than a little throttle; the engine is being 'lugged'.
Lugging an engine on a regular basis will shorten its life.
1200 revs @ 30mph sounds a bit slow, but might be OK if the road is level or downhill and no acceleration is required. Downshift would likely be necessary for substantial acceleration to occur.
Your engine will probably do better when gears are selected that permit it to run @ 2500 to 3500RPMs' with light throttle applied.
I often skip from second to 4th gear on both my 22Re and my 3.slo when conditions permit.
You should probably almost never use 5th gear in any city driving conditions or under 45-50MPH.
Lugging an engine on a regular basis will shorten its life.
1200 revs @ 30mph sounds a bit slow, but might be OK if the road is level or downhill and no acceleration is required. Downshift would likely be necessary for substantial acceleration to occur.
Your engine will probably do better when gears are selected that permit it to run @ 2500 to 3500RPMs' with light throttle applied.
I often skip from second to 4th gear on both my 22Re and my 3.slo when conditions permit.
You should probably almost never use 5th gear in any city driving conditions or under 45-50MPH.
09-03-2014, 09:10 PM
#14
Registered User
At 70- 75 MPH its probably fine to leave the cruise on and stay in 5th on most hills.
I would imagine the engine is turning near 3000RPM at those speeds in 5th gear.
The cruise will usually disengage itself if it cannot maintain close to the selected speed up hill.
If it is plain that the cruise has got the throttle near maxed, and the grade is long, it might well be better to disengage it and use 4th gear at a slightly lower speed until the steep grade is passed.
I would imagine the engine is turning near 3000RPM at those speeds in 5th gear.
The cruise will usually disengage itself if it cannot maintain close to the selected speed up hill.
If it is plain that the cruise has got the throttle near maxed, and the grade is long, it might well be better to disengage it and use 4th gear at a slightly lower speed until the steep grade is passed.
09-06-2014, 05:11 AM
#15
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At 70- 75 MPH its probably fine to leave the cruise on and stay in 5th on most hills.
I would imagine the engine is turning near 3000RPM at those speeds in 5th gear.
The cruise will usually disengage itself if it cannot maintain close to the selected speed up hill.
If it is plain that the cruise has got the throttle near maxed, and the grade is long, it might well be better to disengage it and use 4th gear at a slightly lower speed until the steep grade is passed.
I would imagine the engine is turning near 3000RPM at those speeds in 5th gear.
The cruise will usually disengage itself if it cannot maintain close to the selected speed up hill.
If it is plain that the cruise has got the throttle near maxed, and the grade is long, it might well be better to disengage it and use 4th gear at a slightly lower speed until the steep grade is passed.
09-06-2014, 11:45 AM
#16
Registered User
Coasting in neutral won't hurt your vehicle, but last time I looked, its against the law in most states to do so.
One mileage test comparison does not make for accurate measurement, even if the route and load conditions are the same.
Taking your measurements at face value though, at 17.5 mpg, in 100,000 miles traveled, you would save about 575 gallons of fuel over the lower MPG rate of 15.9. I guess that this might be significant to many people.
If you drive 20,000 miles a year, the higher mileage of 17.5 would save about $400 in fuel costs with fuel @ $3.50.
Lugging engines will eventually cost you too, in shortened component life and repairs, not to mention the road rage that might be inspired in other drivers by those who drive obsessively, thinking about saving a few bucks on fuel.
Might be safer to buy a Prius.
Our fighting men and women are sacrificing their youth, health, and lives to keep this petroleum coming to us from around the world.
The least we can do is burn it.
One mileage test comparison does not make for accurate measurement, even if the route and load conditions are the same.
Taking your measurements at face value though, at 17.5 mpg, in 100,000 miles traveled, you would save about 575 gallons of fuel over the lower MPG rate of 15.9. I guess that this might be significant to many people.
If you drive 20,000 miles a year, the higher mileage of 17.5 would save about $400 in fuel costs with fuel @ $3.50.
Lugging engines will eventually cost you too, in shortened component life and repairs, not to mention the road rage that might be inspired in other drivers by those who drive obsessively, thinking about saving a few bucks on fuel.
Might be safer to buy a Prius.
Our fighting men and women are sacrificing their youth, health, and lives to keep this petroleum coming to us from around the world.
The least we can do is burn it.
Last edited by millball; 09-06-2014 at 12:24 PM.
09-07-2014, 08:21 PM
#17
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coasting in neutral won't hurt your vehicle, but last time I looked, its against the law in most states to do so.
One mileage test comparison does not make for accurate measurement, even if the route and load conditions are the same.
Taking your measurements at face value though, at 17.5 mpg, in 100,000 miles traveled, you would save about 575 gallons of fuel over the lower MPG rate of 15.9. I guess that this might be significant to many people.
If you drive 20,000 miles a year, the higher mileage of 17.5 would save about $400 in fuel costs with fuel @ $3.50.
Lugging engines will eventually cost you too, in shortened component life and repairs, not to mention the road rage that might be inspired in other drivers by those who drive obsessively, thinking about saving a few bucks on fuel.
Might be safer to buy a Prius.
Our fighting men and women are sacrificing their youth, health, and lives to keep this petroleum coming to us from around the world.
The least we can do is burn it.
One mileage test comparison does not make for accurate measurement, even if the route and load conditions are the same.
Taking your measurements at face value though, at 17.5 mpg, in 100,000 miles traveled, you would save about 575 gallons of fuel over the lower MPG rate of 15.9. I guess that this might be significant to many people.
If you drive 20,000 miles a year, the higher mileage of 17.5 would save about $400 in fuel costs with fuel @ $3.50.
Lugging engines will eventually cost you too, in shortened component life and repairs, not to mention the road rage that might be inspired in other drivers by those who drive obsessively, thinking about saving a few bucks on fuel.
Might be safer to buy a Prius.
Our fighting men and women are sacrificing their youth, health, and lives to keep this petroleum coming to us from around the world.
The least we can do is burn it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rushw
General Electrical & Lighting Related Topics
4
07-18-2015 01:46 PM
crashburnoveride
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners
1
07-10-2015 06:39 AM
