floor it to save gas??
08-05-2006, 07:08 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 142
floor it to save gas??
Heres a bit from this months motor trend that got me thinking..
they have the ten tips for fuel temperance:
# 6 says Floor it to save gas:
"Cracking the throttle wide open reduces pumping losses and improves efficiency, bot only at low revs (2000 and below), which means this works only on manual-transmission cars or manumatics that won't downshift. It also won't work on turbocharged or supercharged engines. But for all the others, using full throttle and shifting early (so you're not accelerating any harder) is the smart bet."
I still dont understand why this would work. can someone explain to me simply speaking?
they have the ten tips for fuel temperance:
# 6 says Floor it to save gas:
"Cracking the throttle wide open reduces pumping losses and improves efficiency, bot only at low revs (2000 and below), which means this works only on manual-transmission cars or manumatics that won't downshift. It also won't work on turbocharged or supercharged engines. But for all the others, using full throttle and shifting early (so you're not accelerating any harder) is the smart bet."
I still dont understand why this would work. can someone explain to me simply speaking?
08-06-2006, 07:30 AM
#12
Not as ridiculous as it sounds. In the old days with carburettors, it would be a waste of gas, but with fuel injection & engine management systems, it actually saves gas. Apparently, the engine settings are optimal for fuel conservation when you go WOT and shift early e.g under 3000rpm. This is not the first I've read about it, the tech writer for Toronto Star Wheels section also mentioned it recently. I'll try to get more info with links as I can't quite grasp the concept either.
08-06-2006, 07:36 AM
#14
Originally Posted by 95bluse
Apparently, the engine settings are optimal for fuel conservation when you go WOT and shift early e.g under 3000rpm.
08-06-2006, 07:39 AM
#15
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 63
I thought the gas pedal controlled how much gas gets put into the engine, not rpms, so if you floor it, it'd waste gas and also not have any power(if done at low rpms) I was wondering, if you down shift and your foot is off the gas, like when slowing yourself down, does that waste any extra gas?
08-06-2006, 08:18 AM
#16
Originally Posted by bogeyman007
I thought the gas pedal controlled how much gas gets put into the engine, not rpms, so if you floor it, it'd waste gas and also not have any power(if done at low rpms) I was wondering, if you down shift and your foot is off the gas, like when slowing yourself down, does that waste any extra gas?
And when you are coasting in gear there is a fuel cut, so there is little to no fuel being injected.
08-06-2006, 10:01 AM
#24
Originally Posted by Kevlo911
ECU maps > you retards
kthxbye
kthxbye
The time you spend at low speeds is time spent at lower gear ratios. This increases engine revolutions, and hence, engine friction. So, the best strategy—especially for a manual transmission—is to accelerate at wide open throttle, but upshift at the lowers possible rpm.
Not very retarded is it?
08-06-2006, 10:04 AM
#25
Yes it still is. DO you have ANY idea how the maxima ecu works? Did you know it goes rich at WOT? Did you know if you're running rich you waste more fuel?
Do want to question me more or end it there?
Do want to question me more or end it there?
08-06-2006, 10:05 AM
#26
Originally Posted by 95bluse
Here's a snippet from another website:
The time you spend at low speeds is time spent at lower gear ratios. This increases engine revolutions, and hence, engine friction. So, the best strategy—especially for a manual transmission—is to accelerate at wide open throttle, but upshift at the lowers possible rpm.
Not very retarded is it?
The time you spend at low speeds is time spent at lower gear ratios. This increases engine revolutions, and hence, engine friction. So, the best strategy—especially for a manual transmission—is to accelerate at wide open throttle, but upshift at the lowers possible rpm.
Not very retarded is it?
How does going WOT tie into it? Yup, still pretty retarded. 
08-06-2006, 10:24 AM
#28
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 127
The engine breathes better and runs more efficiently if the throttle is opened up more. But that requires a higher gear ratio to prevent the car from continuously accelerating.
BMW has made this a moot point with some of its valvetronic engines. Those have INFINITELY variable valve LIFT along with variable cam-timing to control engine power.
There is an electronic thottle body on those engines, but its kept wide open except for whenever the computer closes it for traction control purposes. Anyway, deleting the manifold pumping loss from the throttle body increases the mileage about 10% at light load on the highway... The effect is more dramatic at low speed stop-and-go conditions.
BMW has made this a moot point with some of its valvetronic engines. Those have INFINITELY variable valve LIFT along with variable cam-timing to control engine power.
There is an electronic thottle body on those engines, but its kept wide open except for whenever the computer closes it for traction control purposes. Anyway, deleting the manifold pumping loss from the throttle body increases the mileage about 10% at light load on the highway... The effect is more dramatic at low speed stop-and-go conditions.
08-06-2006, 10:24 AM
#29
Another snip from Road & Track:
WOT/Short-Shifting
Remember Coach Grimbly's dictum about "driving with an egg under your foot"? Forget it. The most efficient way to reach cruising speed is wide-open-throttle (WOT) short-shifting. That is, not only do revs cost money, but so does prolonged motoring in lower gears, when throttling and pumping losses are their greatest.
WOT/short-shifting can save as much as 20 percent in city driving, worst to best case. In actual practice, rarely does traffic allow full WOT, but it's certainly fun — and efficient as well — to accelerate briskly through the lower gears to whatever the ambient speed happens to be.
Once there, the appropriate choice of gear is the one that offers modest rpm with relatively large (and constant!) throttle. Here, Coach Grimbly is vindicated. Dithering the accelerator is a pure waste of fuel, as is a slice-and-dice driving style. Read the traffic and go with the flow. Said one of my sources, "In fuel-economical mode, never request more power than is necessary to get to the next deceleration." There's a good enthusiast message here: Once up to speed, maintain it.
WOT/Short-Shifting
Remember Coach Grimbly's dictum about "driving with an egg under your foot"? Forget it. The most efficient way to reach cruising speed is wide-open-throttle (WOT) short-shifting. That is, not only do revs cost money, but so does prolonged motoring in lower gears, when throttling and pumping losses are their greatest.
WOT/short-shifting can save as much as 20 percent in city driving, worst to best case. In actual practice, rarely does traffic allow full WOT, but it's certainly fun — and efficient as well — to accelerate briskly through the lower gears to whatever the ambient speed happens to be.
Once there, the appropriate choice of gear is the one that offers modest rpm with relatively large (and constant!) throttle. Here, Coach Grimbly is vindicated. Dithering the accelerator is a pure waste of fuel, as is a slice-and-dice driving style. Read the traffic and go with the flow. Said one of my sources, "In fuel-economical mode, never request more power than is necessary to get to the next deceleration." There's a good enthusiast message here: Once up to speed, maintain it.
08-06-2006, 10:28 AM
#30
Originally Posted by Fulltone74
The engine breathes better and runs more efficiently if the throttle is opened up more. But that requires a higher gear ratio to prevent the car from continuously accelerating.
BMW has made this a moot point with some of its valvetronic engines. Those have INFINITELY variable valve LIFT along with variable cam-timing to control engine power.
There is an electronic thottle body on those engines, but its kept wide open except for whenever the computer closes it for traction control purposes. Anyway, deleting the manifold pumping loss from the throttle body increases the mileage about 10% at light load on the highway... The effect is more dramatic at low speed stop-and-go conditions.
BMW has made this a moot point with some of its valvetronic engines. Those have INFINITELY variable valve LIFT along with variable cam-timing to control engine power.
There is an electronic thottle body on those engines, but its kept wide open except for whenever the computer closes it for traction control purposes. Anyway, deleting the manifold pumping loss from the throttle body increases the mileage about 10% at light load on the highway... The effect is more dramatic at low speed stop-and-go conditions.
08-06-2006, 10:33 AM
#31
OMFG you idiots never cease to amaze me. I don't care what bmw does or any other car. THE MAXIMA WOT MAPS ARE RICH. RUNNING RICH WASTES MORE FUEL.
DRIVE NORMALLY LET THE CAR STAY IN CLOSED LOOP SO IT DOES THE OPTIMAL 14:7 AIR FUEL RATIO
DRIVE NORMALLY LET THE CAR STAY IN CLOSED LOOP SO IT DOES THE OPTIMAL 14:7 AIR FUEL RATIO
08-06-2006, 10:34 AM
#32
Originally Posted by 95bluse
Another snip from Road & Track:
WOT/Short-Shifting
Remember Coach Grimbly's dictum about "driving with an egg under your foot"? Forget it. The most efficient way to reach cruising speed is wide-open-throttle (WOT) short-shifting. That is, not only do revs cost money, but so does prolonged motoring in lower gears, when throttling and pumping losses are their greatest.
WOT/short-shifting can save as much as 20 percent in city driving, worst to best case. In actual practice, rarely does traffic allow full WOT, but it's certainly fun — and efficient as well — to accelerate briskly through the lower gears to whatever the ambient speed happens to be.
Once there, the appropriate choice of gear is the one that offers modest rpm with relatively large (and constant!) throttle. Here, Coach Grimbly is vindicated. Dithering the accelerator is a pure waste of fuel, as is a slice-and-dice driving style. Read the traffic and go with the flow. Said one of my sources, "In fuel-economical mode, never request more power than is necessary to get to the next deceleration." There's a good enthusiast message here: Once up to speed, maintain it.
WOT/Short-Shifting
Remember Coach Grimbly's dictum about "driving with an egg under your foot"? Forget it. The most efficient way to reach cruising speed is wide-open-throttle (WOT) short-shifting. That is, not only do revs cost money, but so does prolonged motoring in lower gears, when throttling and pumping losses are their greatest.
WOT/short-shifting can save as much as 20 percent in city driving, worst to best case. In actual practice, rarely does traffic allow full WOT, but it's certainly fun — and efficient as well — to accelerate briskly through the lower gears to whatever the ambient speed happens to be.
Once there, the appropriate choice of gear is the one that offers modest rpm with relatively large (and constant!) throttle. Here, Coach Grimbly is vindicated. Dithering the accelerator is a pure waste of fuel, as is a slice-and-dice driving style. Read the traffic and go with the flow. Said one of my sources, "In fuel-economical mode, never request more power than is necessary to get to the next deceleration." There's a good enthusiast message here: Once up to speed, maintain it.
08-06-2006, 10:55 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 509
Originally Posted by nismology
If anyone wants premature wear on their main and rod bearings DO IT. 
STOP saying that unless you have proof to back it up. how can it cause more damage than flooring it at any other engine rpm?
08-06-2006, 11:07 AM
#35
Rollin' on 'Caps
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 425
Originally Posted by Kevlo911
OMFG you idiots never cease to amaze me. I don't care what bmw does or any other car. THE MAXIMA WOT MAPS ARE RICH. RUNNING RICH WASTES MORE FUEL.
DRIVE NORMALLY LET THE CAR STAY IN CLOSED LOOP SO IT DOES THE OPTIMAL 14:7 AIR FUEL RATIO
DRIVE NORMALLY LET THE CAR STAY IN CLOSED LOOP SO IT DOES THE OPTIMAL 14:7 AIR FUEL RATIO
Yes, it may be running rich, but for a less amount of time, and perhaps that ratio of time (to get to cruising speed) to fuel in WOT is less than time to fuel ratio in slower acceleration. Still, I don't see how that could be easy on the engine.
I'm not saying I'm siding with the WOT theory, I can just see their point.
08-06-2006, 11:20 AM
#36
Originally Posted by acidspit86
STOP saying that unless you have proof to back it up. how can it cause more damage than flooring it at any other engine rpm?
think about riding a mountain bike. start pedaling as hard as you can, and shift a early as you can, as opposed to pedaling normally. See how your legs feel.
08-06-2006, 11:32 AM
#38
Originally Posted by f550maranello2
u know what i heard that form a bunch of my buddies with 6 speed f-bodies... they say they floors it to like 2500 and shifts then repeat that throught all the gears.. thats weird..
considering it only takes 2 gears to get to speed
08-06-2006, 11:33 AM
#39
Originally Posted by acidspit86
STOP saying that unless you have proof to back it up. how can it cause more damage than flooring it at any other engine rpm?
08-06-2006, 11:44 AM
#40
Originally Posted by acidspit86
STOP saying that unless you have proof to back it up. how can it cause more damage than flooring it at any other engine rpm?
Ask any competent mechanic if lugging the motor is a good idea.