Do and Don't Thread - Toyota Yaris Forums

Yaris Newbie · 08-07-2007, 09:03 PM

Ok, this is a post where I hope the more inexperienced can get answers from those with more time/experience in the Yaris.

My first few questions are about mostly gas mileage related but that "Gas Mileage" post is way too bloated to even try posting there.

What should I DO given the following situation:

A. Given the following facts:
Driving slower (to a point) increases gas mileage.
Moderate drafting (please no safety debate) increases gas mileage.

Would it be better to go 50-60 alone or to increase speed to 70 or slightly more to gain a draft off of a transfer truck (18 wheeler)?

B. Is there a difference in running the AC at a lower fan speed compared to higher temperature (more red on the circular dial) compared to turning the AC on for a while then off for a while? Or is the compressor doing the same amount of work in all three situations?

C. Does the front window defogger use the AC? (I.e hurt gas mileage) It sure seems cooler that ambient temp. to me.

D. At what speed should (the rare times I use AC) I roll up the windows and turn on the AC?

E. Will those window visor addons (by weather tech I think) help lower wind resistance when traveling with the windows cracked or open?

F. Will a cold air intake improve MPG?

G. Has anyone has experience with the TSB (I think thats what it was called) with the reverse noise in a manual tranny? WHIRRZZZZZZZ while backing up is common in my Yaris.

Should I avoid the following behavior:

H. In rolling hills, where coasting downhill is possible, but it is obvious that I will need to climb the next hill with at least some pressure on the accelerator... should I just forgo coasting down the hill and maintain constant pressure on the gas pedal the entire time (down and up the hill)?

I. When engine braking, the revs on the motor (obviously) increase noticeably for a few moments.

Is this bad for the motor/tranny? I heard for some cars (Mazda Miata (spelling?)) that you are not supposed to down shift through the gears while slowing down. My father told me when I learned to drive a standard that down shifting through the gears was good for the piston rings and also keeps you in the right gear in case you need to accelerate quickly.

J. I've heard from others about "lugging out" a transmission by running it in too high a gear/too low a speed combination. The reference was to ATVs. I seem to be doing this in the yaris at times to avoid downshifting/increase mileage. I do NOT attempt to drastically accelerate while in a high gear (example 5th gear at 40 mph or so). Is this a "Don't"? Why?

OK OK, I'm done for now... let me know what you think about these topics. Opinions are encouraged, facts and/or plenty of experience is highly preferred.

08-07-2007, 09:03 PM	#1
Yaris Newbie Drives: 2007 Yaris Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 21	Do and Don't Thread Ok, this is a post where I hope the more inexperienced can get answers from those with more time/experience in the Yaris. My first few questions are about mostly gas mileage related but that "Gas Mileage" post is way too bloated to even try posting there. What should I DO given the following situation: A. Given the following facts: Driving slower (to a point) increases gas mileage. Moderate drafting (please no safety debate) increases gas mileage. Would it be better to go 50-60 alone or to increase speed to 70 or slightly more to gain a draft off of a transfer truck (18 wheeler)? B. Is there a difference in running the AC at a lower fan speed compared to higher temperature (more red on the circular dial) compared to turning the AC on for a while then off for a while? Or is the compressor doing the same amount of work in all three situations? C. Does the front window defogger use the AC? (I.e hurt gas mileage) It sure seems cooler that ambient temp. to me. D. At what speed should (the rare times I use AC) I roll up the windows and turn on the AC? E. Will those window visor addons (by weather tech I think) help lower wind resistance when traveling with the windows cracked or open? F. Will a cold air intake improve MPG? G. Has anyone has experience with the TSB (I think thats what it was called) with the reverse noise in a manual tranny? WHIRRZZZZZZZ while backing up is common in my Yaris. Should I avoid the following behavior: H. In rolling hills, where coasting downhill is possible, but it is obvious that I will need to climb the next hill with at least some pressure on the accelerator... should I just forgo coasting down the hill and maintain constant pressure on the gas pedal the entire time (down and up the hill)? I. When engine braking, the revs on the motor (obviously) increase noticeably for a few moments. Is this bad for the motor/tranny? I heard for some cars (Mazda Miata (spelling?)) that you are not supposed to down shift through the gears while slowing down. My father told me when I learned to drive a standard that down shifting through the gears was good for the piston rings and also keeps you in the right gear in case you need to accelerate quickly. J. I've heard from others about "lugging out" a transmission by running it in too high a gear/too low a speed combination. The reference was to ATVs. I seem to be doing this in the yaris at times to avoid downshifting/increase mileage. I do NOT attempt to drastically accelerate while in a high gear (example 5th gear at 40 mph or so). Is this a "Don't"? Why? OK OK, I'm done for now... let me know what you think about these topics. Opinions are encouraged, facts and/or plenty of experience is highly preferred.