Question about MPG in manual? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ihaveacamaro · 11-01-2010, 02:17 PM

Is it ALWAYS better, in respect to MPG, to be in a higher gear?

For example, I feel like going 20 mph in 2nd/3rd gear is reasonable, but I tried it in 6th gear and the car still ran fine, but was sluggish. Would doing something like that get me more MPG?

I'm just curious since I don't know the answer...

Thanks!

TDC-Nemesis · 11-01-2010, 02:20 PM

ummm i wouldnt suggest running 6th gear at 20-30 mph

aet08 · 11-01-2010, 02:25 PM

the only place you will see any good MPG is on the freeway in 6th gear with cruise control on.
You will not notice a significant difference in stop and go traffic.

snowtrill · 11-01-2010, 02:27 PM

I am not going to be able to give you a technical answer. However, I don't think it helps just to get into the highest gear. I think the best thing to watch for is to keep the engine around 1800 rpms.

I am pretty sure there is an efficiency that is lost if you keep the rpms lower than the 1800 range.

ZED SLED · 11-01-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowtrill

I am not going to be able to give you a technical answer. However, I don't think it helps just to get into the highest gear. I think the best thing to watch for is to keep the engine around 1800 rpms.

I am pretty sure there is an efficiency that is lost if you keep the rpms lower than the 1800 range.

I agree. Most asshats around here seem to want to drive 47-52 mph in a 55. Feels OK for 5th@1800-1900 but in 6th RPM is too low and you don't want to lug it. 4000 in 3rd feels much better though!

mikeSS · 11-01-2010, 02:39 PM

i feel the rule of thumb. is don't let the RPM drop below 1k RPM..

ihaveacamaro · 11-01-2010, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDC-Nemesis

ummm i wouldnt suggest running 6th gear at 20-30 mph

why not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by aet08

the only place you will see any good MPG is on the freeway in 6th gear with cruise control on.
You will not notice a significant difference in stop and go traffic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowtrill

I am not going to be able to give you a technical answer. However, I don't think it helps just to get into the highest gear. I think the best thing to watch for is to keep the engine around 1800 rpms.

I am pretty sure there is an efficiency that is lost if you keep the rpms lower than the 1800 range.

That's what I figured, but I had no reason to believe so. Thanks for the heads up

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeSS

i feel the rule of thumb. is don't let the RPM drop below 1k RPM..

I could never do that! car becomes way too slow. I try to stop myself from running the car always at around 4000 rpm lol

TDC-Nemesis · 11-01-2010, 02:54 PM

because it makes a horrible sound! definately not attractive!

TommyTSquared · 11-01-2010, 03:10 PM

Ok... So to answer the question directly: Yes.

Going the same speed (20mph) while having the engine do less work (using less fuel) will give you a better miles per gallon. If you're going 25 mph and in 4th you're running around 1000 rpm. You COULD shift into 5th or 6th and go sub 1000 rpm and get better gas mileage. However, you would be 'lugging' the engine and people could argue back and forth to why this isn't a good think or if it's not harming the engine.

As mentioned before, I personally adhere to the rule-of-thumb where you don't go below 1k RPM.

greenrail · 11-01-2010, 03:30 PM

Lowest RPM's at a given speed will dictate your MPG's.

However, you need to match the gear you are in to the RPM's to ensure you can readily accelerate when you need to. Or your option is to be ready to shift gears to gain engine speed and avoidthe sluggishness to whcih you refer.

I try to keep my RPM's as low as possible for any given situation so I can make the most efficient use of fuel when I am moving. During a recent 1500+ mile trip including freeway and city driving I averaged 23.9 mpg for the entire trip.

It is a habit of mine. I use the power when and if I need it. That way I end up with better MPG's.

ihaveacamaro · 11-01-2010, 08:12 PM

cool, thanks for the info

I was asked this question a while ago and I couldn't honestly answer it. Now I can

stratman2SSRS · 11-02-2010, 08:18 AM

I run the rpms a little higher

snowtrill · 11-02-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dire Wolf

Who buys a Camaro (especially an SS LS3) and worrys about gas mileage? GIMME A F*CKING BREAK!

6th gear? I have 18,000 miles and I think I was in 6th once - it's unusable unless you're cruising down the highway at like 100 and even then I'd probably be in 5th.

Yeah OK I'm gonna buy a Camaro and then cruise around in the highest gear possible at the lowest RPMs possible so I can get the best gas mileage - WHAT !!! SCREW THAT !!!

Just because I bought a 2SS does not mean I will accept 8 mpg when driving it. Especially when my driving habits make a difference in the MPG. He's not asking how to get 30 mpg, he is asking how to adjust his driving to get the best possible mpg.

And yes I bought an LS3 and in my daily driving I don't hit the rev limiter, I don't chirp the tires and I even manage to go the speed limit most of the time. I still enjoy the hell out of my ride and manage to keep my mpg around 17 - 18 for town and 21+ for freeway.

Markwrench · 11-02-2010, 10:00 AM

You guys flame too quick. I'd be interested in what others get in the mpg dept. My humble opinion as a 30 year tech says the faster things turn, the faster they wear out. That being said, torque drops off dramatically below 1500 rpms for most gas engines and at low speed its all about torque.

11-01-2010, 02:17 PM	#1
ihaveacamaro I like teeth. Drives: #198 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 4,817	Question about MPG in manual? Is it ALWAYS better, in respect to MPG, to be in a higher gear? For example, I feel like going 20 mph in 2nd/3rd gear is reasonable, but I tried it in 6th gear and the car still ran fine, but was sluggish. Would doing something like that get me more MPG? I'm just curious since I don't know the answer... Thanks!

11-01-2010, 02:27 PM	#4
snowtrill Drives: 2011 RJT 2SS/RS M6- Rogue Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 608 View My Garage	I am not going to be able to give you a technical answer. However, I don't think it helps just to get into the highest gear. I think the best thing to watch for is to keep the engine around 1800 rpms. I am pretty sure there is an efficiency that is lost if you keep the rpms lower than the 1800 range. __________________ Power without control is useless.

11-01-2010, 03:30 PM	#10
greenrail Comic Curmudgeon Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS-2010 VW CC Sport Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Near Chicago, IL Posts: 2,392	Lowest RPM's at a given speed will dictate your MPG's. However, you need to match the gear you are in to the RPM's to ensure you can readily accelerate when you need to. Or your option is to be ready to shift gears to gain engine speed and avoidthe sluggishness to whcih you refer. I try to keep my RPM's as low as possible for any given situation so I can make the most efficient use of fuel when I am moving. During a recent 1500+ mile trip including freeway and city driving I averaged 23.9 mpg for the entire trip. It is a habit of mine. I use the power when and if I need it. That way I end up with better MPG's. __________________ Member Illinois Camaro Club His Name is Rosie - "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick!" - If you know who said that, then you know the genesis of his name.

11-02-2010, 08:18 AM	#12
stratman2SSRS Drives: Lingenfelter Camaro Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ontario Posts: 2,161 View My Garage	I run the rpms a little higher Attached Images __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Did you go with Manual or Auto? Age?	Mayhem	V8 and V6 Transmissions / Driveline (6L80 / 6L50 / TR6060 / AY6)	493	07-16-2015 09:10 PM
Manual driver question..	zayzaydaboss	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	79	04-03-2011 11:59 AM
For the freaks that love MANUAL	Arthur 818	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	29	07-08-2010 05:00 PM
Manual mode question	swoopusa	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	1	07-12-2009 12:32 AM
Help Me Pick An Economy Car	Marosolid	Off-topic Discussions	75	07-11-2009 07:41 AM

11-01-2010, 02:20 PM	#2
TDC-Nemesis Drives: 2010 Camaro LS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fort Campbell Posts: 31	ummm i wouldnt suggest running 6th gear at 20-30 mph

11-01-2010, 02:25 PM	#3
aet08 Drives: c Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: c Posts: 627	the only place you will see any good MPG is on the freeway in 6th gear with cruise control on. You will not notice a significant difference in stop and go traffic.

11-01-2010, 02:39 PM	#6
mikeSS Drives: 2015 c7 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MI Posts: 7,462	i feel the rule of thumb. is don't let the RPM drop below 1k RPM..

11-01-2010, 02:54 PM	#8
TDC-Nemesis Drives: 2010 Camaro LS Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fort Campbell Posts: 31	because it makes a horrible sound! definately not attractive!

11-01-2010, 03:10 PM	#9
TommyTSquared Drives: RSSS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 2,492	Ok... So to answer the question directly: Yes. Going the same speed (20mph) while having the engine do less work (using less fuel) will give you a better miles per gallon. If you're going 25 mph and in 4th you're running around 1000 rpm. You COULD shift into 5th or 6th and go sub 1000 rpm and get better gas mileage. However, you would be 'lugging' the engine and people could argue back and forth to why this isn't a good think or if it's not harming the engine. As mentioned before, I personally adhere to the rule-of-thumb where you don't go below 1k RPM.

11-01-2010, 08:12 PM	#11
ihaveacamaro I like teeth. Drives: #198 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 4,817	cool, thanks for the info I was asked this question a while ago and I couldn't honestly answer it. Now I can

11-02-2010, 10:00 AM	#14
Markwrench Drives: 2011 2SS/RS ord 7-7-10 home8-24-10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 62	You guys flame too quick. I'd be interested in what others get in the mpg dept. My humble opinion as a 30 year tech says the faster things turn, the faster they wear out. That being said, torque drops off dramatically below 1500 rpms for most gas engines and at low speed its all about torque.