For those with AT's.... - Page 3

1983FJ60 · 07-03-2009, 08:21 AM

no, but a buddy of mine drives his AT like an MT.

he runs it through the gates as if he's shifting a manual.

he also puts it in neutral when he's decelerating.

i don't ride with him often for that reason.

CanadaFJ · 07-03-2009, 08:35 AM

I started to shift my AT into N at the lights, thinking along the lines of both wear and fuel consumption, that is, more fuel being used while in gear, and then decided to do a bit of Googling to see what the consensus was. So far, in all my research, it seems to be 50-50 as to shift into N or not, but I came across an article in Car and Driver question and answers section where the same question was posed, to shift into N at the lights or not. Now, the answer was basically no, but their reason was one I hadn't heard of. They mentioned that after talking with a Toyota engineer, the newer vehicles actually shut off the fuel injectors when stopped, but in gear, to conserve fuel, and while the vehicle is in N, this feature is turned off, so they say keeping it in gear at the light saves more fuel. This sounds a bit strange to me, because my assumption would be if fuel injectors turned off, no gas, car stalls.....but I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination - so can't say 100% if this is correct or not.

If I can find confirmation from this Toyota engineer by way of an article that actually provides a name, I will post the article, but for now, I'm curious as to whether or not the FJ has this ability to conserve fuel by shutting off the injectors when stopped. And if this is true, when does this occur? As soon as one has stopped, or after a period of time, say, 30 seconds?

I may have to contact Toyota Canada directly to see if this is correct or not.....

**skierx** · 07-03-2009, 08:45 AM

That doesnt sound like it makes any sense, you have a link to the article?

**MelloFJYellow** · 07-03-2009, 09:07 AM

I have never done this, but if it is proven to save some fuel AND help with wear and tear issues, then maybe.................

CanadaFJ · 07-03-2009, 09:11 AM

I actually found a link to the article:

Gas Pains: Mileage Myths and Misconceptions - Feature/Features/Classic Cars/High Performance/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver

FJeddah · 07-03-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

CanadaFJ previously said:

I started to shift my AT into N at the lights, thinking along the lines of both wear and fuel consumption, that is, more fuel being used while in gear, and then decided to do a bit of Googling to see what the consensus was. So far, in all my research, it seems to be 50-50 as to shift into N or not, but I came across an article in Car and Driver question and answers section where the same question was posed, to shift into N at the lights or not. Now, the answer was basically no, but their reason was one I hadn't heard of. They mentioned that after talking with a Toyota engineer, the newer vehicles actually shut off the fuel injectors when stopped, but in gear, to conserve fuel, and while the vehicle is in N, this feature is turned off, so they say keeping it in gear at the light saves more fuel. This sounds a bit strange to me, because my assumption would be if fuel injectors turned off, no gas, car stalls.....but I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination - so can't say 100% if this is correct or not.

If I can find confirmation from this Toyota engineer by way of an article that actually provides a name, I will post the article, but for now, I'm curious as to whether or not the FJ has this ability to conserve fuel by shutting off the injectors when stopped. And if this is true, when does this occur? As soon as one has stopped, or after a period of time, say, 30 seconds?

I may have to contact Toyota Canada directly to see if this is correct or not.....

During my vacation in Spain last month, I rented a Mini Cooper diesel (MT). It has a feature that when shift to N and remove your foot off the clutch pedal, the engine stops immediately, but everything else stays on e.g. A/C, Radio..etc. However, you can turn this feature off.

When press the clutch pedal again, the engine starts automatically. As far as I know, starting the car and switching it off more often, consumes more gas, I dont know if this info is correct.

**Woodsman** · 07-03-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

CanadaFJ previously said:

I started to shift my AT into N at the lights, thinking along the lines of both wear and fuel consumption, that is, more fuel being used while in gear, and then decided to do a bit of Googling to see what the consensus was. So far, in all my research, it seems to be 50-50 as to shift into N or not, but I came across an article in Car and Driver question and answers section where the same question was posed, to shift into N at the lights or not. Now, the answer was basically no, but their reason was one I hadn't heard of. They mentioned that after talking with a Toyota engineer, the newer vehicles actually shut off the fuel injectors when stopped, but in gear, to conserve fuel, and while the vehicle is in N, this feature is turned off, so they say keeping it in gear at the light saves more fuel. This sounds a bit strange to me, because my assumption would be if fuel injectors turned off, no gas, car stalls.....but I'm not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination - so can't say 100% if this is correct or not.

If I can find confirmation from this Toyota engineer by way of an article that actually provides a name, I will post the article, but for now, I'm curious as to whether or not the FJ has this ability to conserve fuel by shutting off the injectors when stopped. And if this is true, when does this occur? As soon as one has stopped, or after a period of time, say, 30 seconds?

I may have to contact Toyota Canada directly to see if this is correct or not.....

If this is true, I would think Toyota or somebody else would have mentioned it in their advertising as some sort of "green" feature.

Can someone explain how a fuel injected engine can idle for hours on end until the gas tank is empty when the injectors are "turned off" ? Is it pressure from the fuel pump or what ?

I call BS, at least as far as the current explanation.

fjqc · 07-03-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

chaosgeneration previously said:

I used to drive a manual. The best part about driving stick is you don't have to put you foot on the brake ( or at least rarely do) when driving stick. Therefore, I have a natural tendency to put it into nuetral at lights. so yes. I do.

Explain please.........

**DEWFPO** · 07-03-2009, 03:07 PM

For years, some european manufacturers (Volvo's) have their engines set up to stop fuel delivery on deceleration above 2500 rpms. It's not noticeable to the driver and it saves some small amount of fuel.

Stopped in drive you are still heating up the ATF.

DEWFPO

**Woodsman** · 07-03-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

chaosgeneration previously said:

I used to drive a manual. The best part about driving stick is you don't have to put you foot on the brake ( or at least rarely do) when driving stick. Therefore, I have a natural tendency to put it into nuetral at lights. so yes. I do.

So does this work the other way around ? If I used to have an automatic, should I drive a manual as though it were an auto ?

Seriously though, I used to and still do drive manuals depending on what vehicle I'm driving on any given day but I still remember how to drive each one correctly and safely.

One note on why you should keep it in gear for stopped or slow moving traffic . . . back in 2004 I was in very slow moving/stopped traffic on interstate 74 heading into Cincinnati in my Silverado. I caught a glimpse of a semi bearing down on me as though he did not see the traffic was stopped. I gave him as much time as possible (watching in my rearview mirror) and when it appeared that I was doomed I goosed it hard and launched the Silverado down the median. The semi skidded to a stop right where my truck had been sitting in the passing lane. The surrounding motorists looked towards me with amazement. I sh!t you not. True story. In fact, I was headed to a job interview and turned down a very good offer. I told the guy ( a good friend of mine) that, "I can't see myself living in the city to be close to the job and I certainly can't see wasting 2+ hours a day driving back and forth to work every day." Then he offered me a BMW as a company car. I still turned it down. Who the F wants to waste their life away sitting in traffic for hours a day ?