Does Lane Assist Affect Mileage?

[ClemsonU88]

I remember reading that manual cars got better gas mileage, because it took a lot of energy for the car to shift the gears.

I searched for this topic and didn't find it (online or in the manual) and have wondered for a long time if lane assist affects mileage. Does the truck correcting your steering wheel take much energy? I presume not since it's all hydraulics these days, but I'd love to hear a professional's opinion.

If anyone knows, I'd love to hear why it does/doesn't affect the mileage.

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[The Cyber Orange Guy.]

For me the the cruise control save me fuel, but I don't see the Lane assist doing the same. please if I'm wrong school me.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I say NO.
Both the Hybrid and EcoBoost Maverick have electrically activated power steering.
There is no belt driven power steering pump or fluid.
I believe the part that vibrates the wheel, corrects and holds center and sends the message to the power steering unit is all electric.
I think it's miniscule inputs are far more efficient than a humans.

The days of manual transmissions getting better gas mileage is over🪦
One of the last manual transmission trucks sold. The Toyota Tacoma.
Europe the long bastion of manual transmissions has finally succumbed. 75% of new vehicles sold in Europe have automatic transmission.

 

[Pointyears]

I remember reading that manual cars got better gas mileage, because it took a lot of energy for the car to shift the gears.

That's in the old days when an automatic was a 3 speed inefficient slush box. Now, with computerized auto transmissions (some with dual clutches) they're more efficient (not to mention with more gears) the opposite is true.

 

[Darnon]

I presume not since it's all hydraulics these days, but I'd love to hear a professional's opinion.

It's actually [mostly] all electric these days.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

I've wondered the same.
Tiny. But probably an almost immeasurable lower amount.

However I find it creates more fatigue for me. I find I'm fighting it for control using more muscle power. Tiring on long drives.

Also my Mav tracks so well I can easily go a quarter mile or third of a mile with no steering input. So it beeps at me.

Mine is off most of the time.

 

[Blue_Max]

Cars with manual transmissions used to get better mileage because automatic transmissions had more friction and loss due to slippage. A computerized automatic shifts much quicker than a human can, and knows exactly when to do it.

If you're concerned, keep your truck centered in the lane by actually driving it instead of outsourcing the task.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

That's in the old days when an automatic was a 3 speed inefficient slush box. Now, with computerized auto transmissions (some with dual clutches) they're more efficient (not to mention with more gears) the opposite is true.

Slush box moniker reminds me of the chevy 2 speed powerglide.

 

[Pointyears]

Cars with manual transmissions used to get better mileage because automatic transmissions had more friction and loss due to slippage. A computerized automatic shifts much quicker than a human can, and knows exactly when to do it.

Not to mention that dual clutch auto never disconnects the tranny and engine.
That being said, I wouldn’t trade the 6 speed manual in my Mustang for an auto.

 

[Blue_Max]

Not to mention that dual clutch auto never disconnects the tranny and engine.
That being said, I wouldn’t trade the 6 speed manual in my Mustang for an auto.

Yeah, manuals are fun ... unless you're stuck in stop-and-go traffic.

 

[dochawk]

Cars with manual transmissions used to get better mileage because automatic transmissions had more friction and loss due to slippage.

This.

It had nothing to do with the energy to shift.

Lockup torque converters prevent a lot (but not all) of the slush.

Slush box moniker reminds me of the chevy powerglide.

Ack!

quick, Holy Water and an exorcist!

ack!

Yeah, manuals are fun ... unless you're stuck in stop-and-go traffic.

the only time that I prefer an automatic (at which point, I also want modern AAC down to 0!)

OK, and when in a large cadillac (not those silly runtalacs they're selling these days!)

 

[Tiger Dude]

There is virtually no difference in the power used by the truck to add electric assist to you and the steering wheel and the car turning itself. It's a decimal point of power usage.

The gas mileage thing hasn't been true for decades.

 

[matmondro]

The Maverick has electric power steering. As @Darnon pointed out, that's the way almost all OEMs are going now. Hydraulic PS is becoming old hat.

 

[Wahjahbvious]

I know the average age here is "nearly dead," so most of you (should) probably know this already, but for any youngins:

"Slush box" isn't *just* a pejorative; it's also a fairly accurate description of how traditional automatic transmissions work.

The "box" is the torque converter and the "slush" is the transmission fluid that bridges the small gap between the turbine at the end of the crankshaft and the impeller at the beginning of the driveshaft.

Because there's no direct, mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels, power delivery is less immediate than in other systems. That feel, plus the nature of the fluid coupling inside the torque converter lead to the term.

 

[Cherokee]

Yeah, manuals are fun ... unless you're stuck in stop-and-go traffic.

I used to be in Miami on Teusday.
In a Ford LT 9000 with a 300 hp Cummins,
Twin screw 15 Ton Tractor pulling a 52’ van.
I-95 north to Vero Beach.
I had one to two hours of stop and go rush hour traffic leaving little Havana.

I was very good at shifting without the clutch, It’s a Road Ranger transmission thing. But I’d clutch when doing the stop and go.

I had to get therapy and do single right leg/calf workouts because all that clutch work made my left calf bigger/stronger than my right. Working the clutch brake threw my back out.
(Push the clutch down near the floor and a transmission brake slowed the tranny so you could re-engage it faster)
A year later I wound up in an automatic tractor. It was great.

My point ? Oh yeah that.
Same route, traffic, time of day,
Same light load, 15,000 pounds,
Shifting gears I got 7.5 mpg consistently.
The automatic, same engine, I got 8.5 mpg consistently.
Thats a big gain in a class five tractor trailer combination.

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