Lean Burn Toyota Corolla?

[Mulder25]

I know there is a "lean-burn" on the Honda [civic is it?] but i had never read anything about a corolla.
The other day, i was driving home, up a slight grade. Not steep, but about 2 miles long. I started into the grade at 60MPH, my average economy was 46MPG and this was most of the way home. By the time i had reached the top of the grade, i was at 57MPH. My instantaneous economy, as measured by ScanGauge never dropped below 50MPG. This seems impossible, considering it was up a hill, and only a small drop in speed.
Has anyone heard if there is a lean-burn mode present in the Toyota Corolla? It is CE trim, 1.8L engine, 2001, and of course a standard transmission.

[MetroMPG]

I've never heard of a lean burn mode in Toyotas.

Outside of Honda's use of the approach (some Civics & Insight), some Fords used to have it.

Some other explanation for what you saw?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I've never heard of a lean burn mode in Toyotas.

I seemed to recall Toyota had some sort of lean-burn engines in Europe.

So I looked it up, and yes :
Lean burn - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Not in the Corolla, but in the Carina (later called Avensis in Europe).

[MetroMPG]

Interesting!

And Wiki doesn't mention the Ford example at all: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...urn-10941.html

[Daox]

Yeah, Toyota did have a few lean burners, but nothing in the US.

[Mulder25]

Thanks for the responses, very insightful.
I just made it from Raytown, MO to Lawrence, KS (52 mile trip) using 1.08gallons of gas.. I did some expiriments on the hills, including a steep one, i held the accelerator where i normally would have, and was reading 38MPG. I eased off a tiny bit, and noticed an instant snap to 47MPG and this was without losing any speed(38 at the time, in town).
To me, this says lean burn... it cant be DFCO.
Even if it is not lean-burn, its a blessing and im going to start practicing.
Also, keep in mind this vehicle is showing a check engine code that says "lean on bank 1". So my car runs lean as is, maybe it is some sort of fuel trim snapping around by the ECU?
Edit: MetroMPG, you drive a ford? Eww! lol. I was lucky enough to have the only F.O.R.D. Dakota. (1987 fix or repair daily dakota)
-didnt know the metro was ford, thought it was a gm.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Mulder25

I eased off a tiny bit, and noticed an instant snap to 47MPG and this was without losing any speed(38 at the time, in town).
To me, this says lean burn...

Ever so slightly easing off the throttle works on many cars - mine included - if you're not using cruise control. The CC will usually return what you'd get by easing of the throttle.
But a 9mpg jump is quite a bit !

Edit: MetroMPG, you drive a ford? Eww! lol.

Gotta follow the link
It's about forum member Gascort's car .

[Mulder25]

I dont have cruise control - I would gladly take a 3MPG loss to have it. I know just about 10,000 members want to shoot me for saying that, but i have a 38 mile commute each way to work, i get very little sleep, and having cruise control means one less thing i have to focus on. I have fallen asleep a couple times driving, the cut-thingys on the shoulder always wake me, but its pretty scary. With cruise control, i could reduce one of the monotonous things i have to deal with. After ten years, a 3MPG loss, assuming only traveling to and from work, nothing else, would cost an extra 31 gallons per year, but its worth it to stay alive.
I have been actively looking for cruise control, but aftermarket options are severely limited. Could anyone suggest one?
If cruise utilizes this ease-off technique euromodder mentioned, that should actually yield a higher MPG, but i do know that cruise control will result in a lower economy than an experienced ecomodder. I would like to consider myself moderately experienced, as i employ as many techniques as possible, and take care of my equipment very well.

[user removed]

Maintaining a relatively constant speed up a very slight grade puts the engine under a higher load which increases efficiency. This will either give you better mileage or a lower decrease in mileage. I used to use this in my 02 Insight CVT (not lean burn) on very gradual grades east of my home to get much better MPG. I would very gradually increase my speed, with a very slight reduction in MPG. Then on the downgrades my mileage would skyrocket.

This has also been noticed on Prii and some other cars. By storing your inertial energy in climbing a very slight grade you can coast down the backside of that grade with much higher mileage (100% or better than your average).

The increase in BSFC when climbing a very slight uphill grade means you are getting more energy for the same amount of fuel used. It is similar to P&G but the grade changes can (in some instances) allow you to do this while maintaining a much more consistent speed. In the ideal scenario you could go a constant speed with better mileage overall.

A slightly higher load climbing a very slight (1-2%) grade allowed you to get higher (than your average) mileage, but going down the same grade on the other side of the hill (assuming there is the "other" side), is a golden opportunity to coast (engine on or off) and see a dramatic increase in mileage.

regards
Mech

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Mulder25

i get very little sleep, and having cruise control means one less thing i have to focus on. I have fallen asleep a couple times driving, the cut-thingys on the shoulder always wake me, but its pretty scary. With cruise control, i could reduce one of the monotonous things i have to deal with.

Using CC is also one thing less that keeps you driving actively.
Having to do even less, is not the best solution to falling asleep at the wheel.

I've woken up on the wrong side of a bi-directional road once, in a turn.
It's a rush, but not something I'd ever want to repeat.

Make sure you get a decent amount of sleep, in a dark room as it'll make one sleep better.
I stopped using the alarm clock, except for the early shift.
It has made me sleep better.

If cruise utilizes this ease-off technique euromodder mentioned, that should actually yield a higher MPG

Compared to a constant speed, on relatively flat terrain, CC will normally return better MPG.

You lose out compared to P&G - which is something I'm not prepared to do on long stretches of road. I also won't shut down the engine, so P&G is out.

You also lose out on inclines that are tougher and longer than say a bridge. Though the CC recovers quicker as the incline levels out again.