PWR 2nd for gas mileage?

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aaronrules

aaronrules

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Might be one of those stupid questions again. But who better to ask a dumb question than this guy! If staying under 2000 RPM is good way to gain better gas mileage, then wouldn't it be better to always push the PWR 2nd button? I have a hard time staying under 2K in any condition especially 1st gear. I was just thinking about this on the way home from work today. I got 12.5 MPG (which is almost a full one MPG better than normal) on my last tank trying to stay under 3K as much as possible. Under 2K is KILLING ME but might be worth it if I can actually get over 300 miles on one tank of going to work and back home (in town driving). Right now, I'm that guy who takes half a mile to get up to 45 MPH...I HATE THAT GUY! Anyway, I just an idea I had that I thought I would see what you guys think. And flame away!!!
 
If you have to drive your LC under 2000 rpms to save fuel......time to get rid of the LC!

I don't think you'd really save all that much with the 2nd button. Maybe a .25mpg savings at most IF you drove under 2000 rpms. I wouldn't think it would be worth it.

Store gas at your house so you don't have to stop at the gas station as often. Get one of these for the garage, but it would be a pain to fill all the time:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CFTL64/?tag=ihco-20

This one is free shipping and it's more manageable in size:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MT94QA/?tag=ihco-20
 
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I feel like you guys are talking about the PWR/2nd buttons as if they are one... in my truck they are separate...

If I put on the PWR button I am able to rev higher before it shifts, so I can't see this helping to stay under 2k rpm but this may help if you think it's best to get up to coasting speed asap.

2nd button I could see helping, but then you're into the debate of getting up to speed and coasting vs. slowly getting to speed and maintaining. Also if you're starting in second, isn't the truck just working harder to get you moving?

Now I feel like I'm being dumb... someone help us!
 
Exactly my thought yotasavg! Starting in second gear is reducing my RPM's, but I feel like I am on the gas for a longer time to get up to speed. Might not being doing anything other than pissing me off really. I mean what would I save by getting an extra 20 miles per tank anyway? Actually...that is almost one extra trip to work and back. But this may be at a cost to my dignity. I knew what I was getting into when I got this truck. But damn...sub 12MPG's is starting to suck bad!
 
I guess I'm not quite where you are since weight wise I'm mostly stock, but yes I agree. I have about a 10-15 mile round trip day as well and I cannot stand being slower that the other [choose insult] drivers around here... I've tried keeping the PWR button on all the time and it just makes it more fun to drive, didn't really affect my mpg. I still do that every time I head to the mountains and I get great (~14mpg) mileage. As for 2ND, I've tried that around town as well. I started when it rained the first time this season to avoid slipping on acceleration (not really necessary) and continued it for a full tank without seeing much difference. I've decided it is what it is... and I like it.
 
It takes a certain amount of energy (horsepower) to overcome inertia and get the vehicle moving. If you start in a higher gear, then torque has to go up since rpm goes down. Either way, higher rpm/lower torque, or lower rpm/higher torque, you’re using the same amount of gas (all other things being equal). The transmission shift points will do much better than you at efficiency under most circumstances. Let the tranny do what it was designed to do and leave it in D.
 
I decided to see what kind of difference driving like a usually do will do to my mileage. I drove like an old woman for the last tank and got 12.5 MPG's. Pretty sure that I will be around 11 MPG's with regular driving.
 
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