Is it true that if you switch gears on a 3-Speed Automatic (Low, 2nd, Drive), you'll be more efficient on gas?

Question

I have a '96 Toyota Corolla, and it gets good gas mileage anyways, but I'm looking for any way to save gas with it being near four dollars a gallon (INSANE, but anyways..), I hear that if you use your lower gears while driving in the city and save the overdrive for highway, you can save even more gas. Is this true?

Answer 1

Why are you asking when personal experimentation is your best indicator.?   Better gas mileage can be achieved if you put an raw egg between your foot and the gas pedal and drive it and not crack the shell.  Also to have properly inflated tires and a clean air cleaner.

Answer 2

NO!

The sooner you get out of lower gear, the sooner your engine rev low and start saving gas.

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There are few thing you can do to save (or maximize) gas MPG. First get a tune-up.

(1) spark plugs

(2) spark plug wires

(3) distributors, coil, rotors (if you have them).

(4) new air filter

(5) PCV

(6) correct tire pressure

(7) clear the trunk of useless heavy items

(8) spray clean MAF sensor.

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Forget all those "SAVE GAS" scams.  This was on NBC morning TV show.   The difference is as much as 38% (their claim).  There are very simple rules to save gas:

(1) drive slow - not too much past 55

(2) accelerate slowly

(3) don't brake unnecessarily

(4) use cruise control - whenever it is safe to do so.

Don't coast - it is NOT safe and it does NOT save gas.

The above really works. Using those simple rules I was able to drive from Boston to NYC (210.5 miles) on just 5.112 gallon (94 Civic).  That's 41 MPG (94 Civic 187K miles).  Actually I was speeding at 72 MPH so I could do even better at 55.

WOW !!

Good Luck...

Answer 3

No.  Put the transmission into Drive and allow the transmission to do what it was designed to do.

The only way you're going to save gas is to maintain the vehicle properly and to drive with a light right foot.

Answer 4

NO!