More questions?

[CoasterToasterXB]

Before I ask the first question: I just want to thank everyone here for being so kind and friendly.

Question 1: Is there a specific temp where you see the biggest FE when driving?
Question 2: I've been shutting down the ICE at long traffic lights- should I shut down on short lights also?
Question 3: I'm sure you've answered this a million times, but will I do damage to my starter turning it off and on?
Question 4: Is there any easy mods I should try in the future?


Thanks in advance for any info you provide

[xcel]

Hi CoasterToasterXB:

___I will take a shot …

1. Coolant above 170 in just about any vehicle is where they really wake up. A touch above 190 and you have probably peaked in terms of the thermostat limits as well as FE maximums looking at the coolant temp as a stand alone variable.
   
   
2. Since your XB has a modern injection system, anything over 7 seconds is ripe to go ICE-Off. Especially as you are coming into a light or sign with any kind of wait. If however you can ride fuel cut down because you came in a bit too hot but are still able to pull a green, I would ride Fuel cut down. You will get the feel for which is best depending on the lights timing or rabbit trigger, the traffic, your current speed and distance from the light in short order. A FAS always works great but if you are riding the starter not 5 seconds after a FAS, you should have rode Fuel cut down with some engine braking and then reaccelerated with the traffic leaving the light like normal.
   
   
3. As long as you are not riding it for over 7 - 8 seconds before light off and you are maybe 2 + minutes between starts to let it cool. Accord’s are notoriously slow starters but they will ignite in less then 3 seconds. Sometimes I break my own rules wrt time between restarts but I do not make it a perpetual habit to break this rule unless traffic is an absolute nightmare and there is nothing I can do. After 70K miles and maybe 18 – 20K restarts, the Accord’s starter motor is like brand new …
   
   
4. Do the basic setup techniques first. Once you have these in your back pocket, double the EPA under the right conditions is just about a gimme. Using even a few of them at speed will get you so far above the EPA you will be amazed. Temps are a bit to low around the country right now but when spring/summer comes, look out!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[CoasterToasterXB]

I understand 1,2,4 but 3 could use just a little bit more clarity. Sorry for being so a noob

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by CoasterToasterXB

I understand 1,2,4 but 3 could use just a little bit more clarity. Sorry for being so a noob

3. As long as you are not riding it for over 7 - 8 seconds before light off and you are maybe 2 + minutes between starts to let it cool. Accord’s are notoriously slow starters but they will ignite in less then 3 seconds. Sometimes I break my own rules wrt time between restarts but I do not make it a perpetual habit to break this rule unless traffic is an absolute nightmare and there is nothing I can do. After 70K miles and maybe 18 – 20K restarts, the Accord’s starter motor is like brand new …

I'll take a crack at this one. I think what he's talking about is, if you are not cranking the starter for more than 7 or 8 seconds at a time before the engine starts, or if it's been more than a couple of minutes between cranks to allow the starter to cool, it shouldn't be hard on the starter. One thing that was drilled into my head since I was a little kid by my grandpa was that you don't crank more than a few seconds at a time. Heat is one of the biggest killers of starters.

[CoasterToasterXB]

I understand perfectly clear. Now it it's time to dance

I appreciate the extra explanation

[xcel]

Hi Larry:

___Thank you and an excellent reply!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[Stifin]

This thread answered the questions I had, but I got lost on number 2.

"coming in too hot" brought to mind a military action movie (although I got it, too hot=too fast)
What is Fuel cut down? That whole explanation sounded informative, but confused the hell out of me

thanks
steve

[diamondlarry]

I'll see if I can explain this right. I just got up for the day and I'm still a bit foggy. In most modern fuel injection systems, the computer will cut fuel if you let off the throttle when the engine is above about 1000-1500 rpms. This will cause engine braking to slow the car down. If you weren't able to anticipate the stop/wait etc., far enough in advance and had to re-start the engine less than 5 seconds later, it would be best to use that engine braking to slow down rather than the brakes.

[tarabell]

Hey Larry would you mind passing the secret-xcel-decoder-ring over here when you're done with it? Thanks.

[diamondlarry]

I don't know, I might put it on Ebay and make a fortune and, with that and the money I'm saving on gas, I might be able to retire before I'm 45.