How To Save Fuel And Make Your Vehicle Last Longer - Toyota 2008 Tundra Owner's Manual

07 11.20
How to save fuel and make
your vehicle last longer
Improving fuel economy is easy—just take
it easy. It will help make your vehicle last
longer, too. Here are some specific tips
on how to save money on both fuel and
repairs:
Keep your tires inflated at the cor-
D
rect pressure. Underinflation causes
tire wear and wastes fuel. See page
553 in Section 7−2 for instructions.
Do not carry unneeded weight in
D
your vehicle. Excess weight puts a
heavier load on the engine, causing
greater fuel consumption.
Avoid lengthy warm−up idling. Once
D
the engine is running smoothly, begin
driving—but gently. Remember, howev-
er, that on cold winter days this may
take a little longer.
Put the selector lever into the "D"
D
when engine braking is not required.
Driving with the selector lever in a
position other than "D" will reduce the
fuel economy (For details,
"Automatic transmission" on page 211
in Section 1−7.)
Accelerate slowly and smoothly.
D
Avoid jackrabbit starts. Get into high
gear as quickly as possible.
Avoid long engine idling. If you have
D
a long wait and you are not in traffic,
it is better to turn off the engine and
start again later.
Avoid engine lugging or over−rev-
D
ving. Use a gear position suitable for
the road on which you are travelling.
Avoid continuous speeding up and
D
slowing down. Stop−and−go
wastes fuel.
Avoid unnecessary stopping
D
braking. Maintain a steady pace. Try
to time the traffic signals so you only
need to stop as little as possible or
take advantage of through streets to
avoid traffic lights. Keep a proper dis-
tance from other vehicles to avoid sud-
den braking. This will also reduce wear
on your brakes.
Avoid heavy traffic or traffic jams
D
whenever possible.
Do not rest your foot on brake ped-
D
see al. This causes premature wear, over-
heating and poor fuel economy.
Maintain a moderate speed on high-
D
ways. The faster you drive, the greater
the fuel consumption. By reducing your
speed, you will cut down on fuel con-
sumption.
Keep the front wheels
D
alignment. Avoid hitting the curb and
slow down on rough roads. Improper
alignment not only causes faster tire
wear but also puts an extra load on
the engine, which, in turn, wastes fuel.
Keep the bottom of your vehicle free
D
from mud, etc. This not only lessens
weight but also helps prevent corrosion
driving
Keep your vehicle tuned−up and in
D
top shape. A dirty
and
improper valve clearance, dirty plugs,
dirty oil and grease,brakes
adjusted, etc. all
performance and contribute to poor fuel
economy. For longer life of all parts
and lower operating costs, keep all
maintenance work on schedule, and if
you often drive
conditions, see that
receives more frequent maintenance.
(For scheduled
information, please
"Scheduled Maintenance
"Owner's Manual Supplement".)
2008 TUNDRA from Apr. '08 Prod. (OM34477U)
in proper
air cleaner,
not
lower engine
under severe
your vehicle
maintenance
refer to the
Guide" or
495