The Daily Driver - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

DEKA · 10-31-2009, 08:18 AM

Whats up people, I am a very new owner of a Silver LS Manual and I love it. I picked the car up Tuesday night and have put about 480 miles on the Camaro so far. I drive anywhere from 100 to 150 miles a day. I love my job and my car is my office which is why I opted for a camaro instead of a VW t.d.i. It's a V6, couldnt afford the v8. 2nd to 3rd gear feels somewhat stiff with what feels like a slight grind, is this normal during break-in? My information center reads that I average 20.1 miles per gallon, I feel that I might be shifting at the wrong time or cruising at 55 in the wrong gear. Any feedback on the most efficient shift points would be greatly appreciated. What is the most efficient gear for 55 and for 65? Thanks. I work M-F so I will post on weekends with updates as the Camaro gets more mileage under its hood. I do hope this car is reliable as a daily driver. I did get someone that snickered at the fact that its a v6 until I told him the H.P. I have gotten thumbs up on the highway. It is an awesome car. Oh, and the Camaro got me a discount at advanced auto parts while purchasing mothers canauba wax, after discount only 10 bucks for paste. Thank you for any advice.

Icefsh · 10-31-2009, 08:37 AM

My shifter felt a little stiff for the first 300 miles or so. After that it seemed to shift much smoother. Maybe you drive alot of highway miles and are not shifting as much as I did. It should feel better with more shifting.

At 50 MPH 5th gear seems fine. At 60 MPH 6th gear is where you want to be. If I were going 55 and on a flat highway 6th gear would probably get you better gas milage.

Primus · 10-31-2009, 08:38 AM

Your mpg will be a little on the low side initially. After you get some more miles on it you will see improved performance. Mine shifts fine from second to third but it's still a little clunky from first to second.

scrming · 10-31-2009, 08:38 AM

no advice since mines an auto... but just wanted to say Welcome to Camaro5!

rolnslo · 10-31-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

2nd to 3rd gear feels somewhat stiff with what feels like a slight grind, is this normal during break-in?

Mine was like this too initially but it's pretty much gone away as I put more miles on it.

Quote:

My information center reads that I average 20.1 miles per gallon, I feel that I might be shifting at the wrong time or cruising at 55 in the wrong gear. Any feedback on the most efficient shift points would be greatly appreciated. What is the most efficient gear for 55 and for 65?

The V6 manual seems to be somewhat sensitive to your right foot. If you are looking for max MPG, then shift early (around 2000 rpms), accelerate slowly, and get into the highest gear you can use, as soon as you can, without bogging the car down . I'll run in 6th @ 45mph sometimes if its flat and all I need to do is cruise at a constant speed. Downshift when you need to accelerate or pass and then go back the highest gear you can.

acehole · 10-31-2009, 09:38 AM

2nd to 3rd will smooth out eventually.mine was the same way now i dont notice anything...forgot that it even did it till i saw your post..so just give it a little time...Far as shifting you didnt buy a prius...Just shift when it feels right..i personally like to go up to 3500 before i shift and i only use 6th when im at 65 or higher..I also am everaging about 21 to 22 miles a gallon...So drive and enjoy...you got a great car

DEKA · 11-01-2009, 03:35 PM

Thank all of you very much for all of your feedback and kind comments.

Abygale · 11-01-2009, 03:52 PM

Welcome....mine's an auto too so can't comment on your issue, but wanted to say HI!

bond2 · 11-02-2009, 09:23 AM

Congrats on your purchase. I have about 4k miles on mine now and the shifter seems to get smoother with every 1k miles, or I am just getting used to it. I agree with Primus, 1st to 2nd is still a little clunky but nothing that bothers me. Also when coming to a stop sign and shifting to 1st seems a little tough, but it will usually shift without too much effort as the car comes to a stop. If you wanna feel the real performance of the car, shift at 4k rpm or higher, otherwise like the rest of them said shift at around 2k rpm. I cruise on the back roads in 5th gear between 40-45 mph and on the highway I seem to maximize fuel economy in 6th at around 65 mph. When passing you need to drop to at least 4th gear on the highway. Fuel economy will improve 2-3 mpg by the time you get 3-4k miles on it. I am using 87 octane, and did a mobil 1 0w-30 oil change at 2k miles. I am averaging about 24 mpg with 60/40% highway/city driving. Enjoy

fastal · 11-02-2009, 09:37 AM

I'm approaching 6,000 miles and it seems like the shifter is still breaking in. Mine is a bit stiff on the 1-2 shift. Overall I find the manual to be stiff and notchy and I'm used to a Pro 5.0 tower in my 2000 Z28.

As far as cruising goes, once at a steady speed past about 50 I'm in 6th gear.

10-31-2009, 08:18 AM	#1
DEKA Drives: Silver, manual, steel wheels Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: nc Posts: 45 View My Garage	The Daily Driver Whats up people, I am a very new owner of a Silver LS Manual and I love it. I picked the car up Tuesday night and have put about 480 miles on the Camaro so far. I drive anywhere from 100 to 150 miles a day. I love my job and my car is my office which is why I opted for a camaro instead of a VW t.d.i. It's a V6, couldnt afford the v8. 2nd to 3rd gear feels somewhat stiff with what feels like a slight grind, is this normal during break-in? My information center reads that I average 20.1 miles per gallon, I feel that I might be shifting at the wrong time or cruising at 55 in the wrong gear. Any feedback on the most efficient shift points would be greatly appreciated. What is the most efficient gear for 55 and for 65? Thanks. I work M-F so I will post on weekends with updates as the Camaro gets more mileage under its hood. I do hope this car is reliable as a daily driver. I did get someone that snickered at the fact that its a v6 until I told him the H.P. I have gotten thumbs up on the highway. It is an awesome car. Oh, and the Camaro got me a discount at advanced auto parts while purchasing mothers canauba wax, after discount only 10 bucks for paste. Thank you for any advice. Last edited by DEKA; 11-02-2009 at 08:11 PM.

10-31-2009, 08:38 AM	#3
Primus 2G1FF1EV0A9113319 Drives: 2010 1LT/RS 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,139 View My Garage	Your mpg will be a little on the low side initially. After you get some more miles on it you will see improved performance. Mine shifts fine from second to third but it's still a little clunky from first to second. __________________ 2010 Camaro 1LT/RS M6 Black 1100: 10/13/2008 2000: 4/02/2009 3000: 4/08/2009 3300: 5/14/2009 3400: 5/21/2009 3800: 5/28/2009 VIN: 2G1FF1EV0A9113319 4000: 5/28/2009 4150: 5/28/2009 4B00: 5/28/2009 Delivered: 6/10/2009

10-31-2009, 08:38 AM	#4
scrming Red Brick of Vengeance! Drives: 12 Second Brick Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: at my pulpit Posts: 7,745	no advice since mines an auto... but just wanted to say Welcome to Camaro5! __________________ 2011 Ford Flex EcoBoost Limited - 12.727 @ 109.790 MPH

11-02-2009, 09:23 AM	#9
bond2 Drives: '16 2SS M6,'96 WS6 M6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 182	Congrats on your purchase. I have about 4k miles on mine now and the shifter seems to get smoother with every 1k miles, or I am just getting used to it. I agree with Primus, 1st to 2nd is still a little clunky but nothing that bothers me. Also when coming to a stop sign and shifting to 1st seems a little tough, but it will usually shift without too much effort as the car comes to a stop. If you wanna feel the real performance of the car, shift at 4k rpm or higher, otherwise like the rest of them said shift at around 2k rpm. I cruise on the back roads in 5th gear between 40-45 mph and on the highway I seem to maximize fuel economy in 6th at around 65 mph. When passing you need to drop to at least 4th gear on the highway. Fuel economy will improve 2-3 mpg by the time you get 3-4k miles on it. I am using 87 octane, and did a mobil 1 0w-30 oil change at 2k miles. I am averaging about 24 mpg with 60/40% highway/city driving. Enjoy __________________ '16 NFG 2SS M6,SW NPP compatible axel back, black center stripe, black non-split rims '96 Black WS6 TA - M6, Pro 5.0, Baer Track kit, Corsa Cat-back, Bilstein shocks '99 30th anniv TA vert #988- M6

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10-31-2009, 08:37 AM	#2
Icefsh Drives: CGM 2LT/RS M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Littleton, CO. Posts: 195	My shifter felt a little stiff for the first 300 miles or so. After that it seemed to shift much smoother. Maybe you drive alot of highway miles and are not shifting as much as I did. It should feel better with more shifting. At 50 MPH 5th gear seems fine. At 60 MPH 6th gear is where you want to be. If I were going 55 and on a flat highway 6th gear would probably get you better gas milage.

10-31-2009, 09:38 AM	#6
acehole Drives: mits lancer oz Join Date: May 2009 Location: shawnee Posts: 196	2nd to 3rd will smooth out eventually.mine was the same way now i dont notice anything...forgot that it even did it till i saw your post..so just give it a little time...Far as shifting you didnt buy a prius...Just shift when it feels right..i personally like to go up to 3500 before i shift and i only use 6th when im at 65 or higher..I also am everaging about 21 to 22 miles a gallon...So drive and enjoy...you got a great car

11-01-2009, 03:35 PM	#7
DEKA Drives: Silver, manual, steel wheels Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: nc Posts: 45 View My Garage	Thank all of you very much for all of your feedback and kind comments.

11-01-2009, 03:52 PM	#8
Abygale Drives: . Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: . Posts: 2,523 View My Garage	Welcome....mine's an auto too so can't comment on your issue, but wanted to say HI!

11-02-2009, 09:37 AM	#10
fastal Drives: 2010 2SS/RS, 2000 Z28 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 149	I'm approaching 6,000 miles and it seems like the shifter is still breaking in. Mine is a bit stiff on the 1-2 shift. Overall I find the manual to be stiff and notchy and I'm used to a Pro 5.0 tower in my 2000 Z28. As far as cruising goes, once at a steady speed past about 50 I'm in 6th gear.