Snow Mode = Gas Saving Mode?
#16
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ECT Snow == Saving Gas
From my experiments with ECT snow mode, I say yes it does help fuel ecomomy.
In ECT Snow mode, our Electronically Controlled Transmission is tuned down so the wheels don't spin out easily in any weather, particularly snow. To achieve this, the vehicle's throttle response must be dampened. That is why the car "feels like crap" and you have to floor it to get the RPMs reving and even then the car won't downshift for optimal performance. All of these consequences of being in snow mode, IMO, contribute to fuel efficiency.
I find that the combination of snow and cruise is the most effective. I don't believe cruise can hurt your car. Yes the car will "do all it can" to keep it's speed, but really that 's not much at all. In this combo mode, using the cruise control to accel is super slow which sucks for gettin-up but great for fuel economy because the engine is hardly working.
I've tested from a full fill-up and for the entiretly of that tank be in snow mode. I'd say I drive 50/50 highway/city and granted I was 'gas-conscious" I've been able to get 23-24 MPGs. I rarely get more than 20 MPGs in normal mode driving normally in my 350.
Your driving dynamics certainly influences your MPGs. But I would suspect under equal driving conditions, snow mode will still save you gas over normal and especially power, since it kinda forces you to drive like a granny.
In ECT Snow mode, our Electronically Controlled Transmission is tuned down so the wheels don't spin out easily in any weather, particularly snow. To achieve this, the vehicle's throttle response must be dampened. That is why the car "feels like crap" and you have to floor it to get the RPMs reving and even then the car won't downshift for optimal performance. All of these consequences of being in snow mode, IMO, contribute to fuel efficiency.
I find that the combination of snow and cruise is the most effective. I don't believe cruise can hurt your car. Yes the car will "do all it can" to keep it's speed, but really that 's not much at all. In this combo mode, using the cruise control to accel is super slow which sucks for gettin-up but great for fuel economy because the engine is hardly working.
I've tested from a full fill-up and for the entiretly of that tank be in snow mode. I'd say I drive 50/50 highway/city and granted I was 'gas-conscious" I've been able to get 23-24 MPGs. I rarely get more than 20 MPGs in normal mode driving normally in my 350.
Your driving dynamics certainly influences your MPGs. But I would suspect under equal driving conditions, snow mode will still save you gas over normal and especially power, since it kinda forces you to drive like a granny.
#18
#19
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Cruise control = worse fuel economy. If you watch someone behind the wheel with cruise on, check out the gas pedal. It is constantly moving and dipping down. With cruise off, the foot holds steady on the pedal. From the studies I've read, they all say smooth driving equates to higher economy.
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#23
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Folks, I think it is **UNSAFE** to drive all the time in Snow mode. You won't be able to accelerate hard in emergency (like escaping from merging 18-wheeler who doesn't see you).
If you really care about smoother ride or minimal gas savings that Snow mode offers, you really bought wrong car.
If you really care about smoother ride or minimal gas savings that Snow mode offers, you really bought wrong car.
#24
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Folks, I think it is UNSAFE to drive all the time in Snow mode. You won't be able to accelerate hard in emergency (like escaping from merging 18-wheeler who doesn't see you).
If you really care about smoother ride or minimal gas savings that Snow mode offers, you really bought wrong car.
Andrei
If you really care about smoother ride or minimal gas savings that Snow mode offers, you really bought wrong car.
Andrei
Minimal gas savings? In my experience I'm noticing a 3-5 MPG per tank increase with my increased use in Snow mode (not using it all the time).
No big deal you say? Well If I get an extra 5 MPG per tank, then I'm getting approximately 60 miles more out of a tank of gas. For me that equates to three extra round trip commutes to and from work... causing me to fill up once every 12 days instead of once every 9 days. Calculate that over a year and I'm filling up roughly 30 times per year versus 40... and at $4.15 per gallon, that's a significant cost difference. In fact, it's roughly a $620 savings!!! (Even if I only increase my overall MPG by 3, I'm still saving approximately $565 per year).
Last edited by Buds; 05-29-08 at 03:08 PM. Reason: Typo!
#25
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Also.... Do the math and get real how much you are saving.
Say you drive 1000 miles/month like average driver.
Normal driving gives you 19mpg average, snow mode gives you 20mpg. ( I highly doubt that you'll even get 1mpg difference, but for the sake of argument, suppose you will.)
1000/20 = 50 gallons
1000/19 = 52.6 gallons
52.6 - 50 = 2.6 gallons which means you save whooping $11.70 per month. Wow.
Say you drive 1000 miles/month like average driver.
Normal driving gives you 19mpg average, snow mode gives you 20mpg. ( I highly doubt that you'll even get 1mpg difference, but for the sake of argument, suppose you will.)
1000/20 = 50 gallons
1000/19 = 52.6 gallons
52.6 - 50 = 2.6 gallons which means you save whooping $11.70 per month. Wow.
#26
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No big deal you say? Well If I get an extra 5 MPG per tank, then I'm getting approximately 60 miles more out of a tank of gas. For me that equates to three extra round trip commutes to and from work... causing me to fill up once every 12 days instead of once every 8 days. Calculate that over a year and I'm filling up roughly 30 times per year versus 45... and at $4.15 per gallon, that's a significant cost difference. In fact, it's roughly a $933 savings!!! (Even if I only increase my overall MPG by 3, I'm still saving approximately $750 per year).
Last edited by windfall12; 05-29-08 at 03:06 PM.
#27
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I am "real"! I've been using snow mode more often and my average MPG per tank went from 23 MPG to 26 MPG (I'm at 29 MPG with half a tank left on my current tank).
#28
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On my way from home to work there is a long, steep ramp to freeway... If I try to climb that ramp in SNOW mode, by the time I reach the top and accelerate to 60mph, there will be 50 old Corollas honking behind me
#29
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Also.... Do the math and get real how much you are saving.
Say you drive 1000 miles/month like average driver.
Normal driving gives you 19mpg average, snow mode gives you 20mpg. ( I highly doubt that you'll even get 1mpg difference, but for the sake of argument, suppose you will.)
1000/20 = 50 gallons
1000/19 = 52.6 gallons
52.6 - 50 = 2.6 gallons which means you save whooping $11.70 per month. Wow.
Say you drive 1000 miles/month like average driver.
Normal driving gives you 19mpg average, snow mode gives you 20mpg. ( I highly doubt that you'll even get 1mpg difference, but for the sake of argument, suppose you will.)
1000/20 = 50 gallons
1000/19 = 52.6 gallons
52.6 - 50 = 2.6 gallons which means you save whooping $11.70 per month. Wow.
#30
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Well I guess your traffic patterns are totally different from mine. Snow mode won't do any good for me
On my way from home to work there is a long, steep ramp to freeway... If I try to climb that ramp in SNOW mode, by the time I reach the top and accelerate to 60mph, there will be 50 old Corollas honking behind me
On my way from home to work there is a long, steep ramp to freeway... If I try to climb that ramp in SNOW mode, by the time I reach the top and accelerate to 60mph, there will be 50 old Corollas honking behind me