CelticNut

Hey Ron, how's the shifting going? As I recall, you're new to manual transmissions. I hope you've adapted well. I think they're a lot more fun (unless you're stuck on the L.I.E.) to drive. :drive:

Funny how the manuals are supposed to get better mileage, isn't it? Anyone know why?

94tbird

Hey Ron, how's the shifting going? As I recall, you're new to manual transmissions. I hope you've adapted well. I think they're a lot more fun (unless you're stuck on the L.I.E.) to drive. :drive:

Funny how the manuals are supposed to get better mileage, isn't it? Anyone know why?
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Hey its gonig pretty well. ive stalled it a few times in the beginning and then once in a while since trying not to totally take off in first gear but my shifts have been realatively smooth and im averaging 20 miles to a gallon so not too shabby

Enfynet

Maybe because you can dictate the rpms and gears? I know the GT has different 5th/OD ratios between manual and auto, but I figure the rear end would cancel that out.

Anyways, the best MPG possible is going downhill in neutral. Other than that its about 40 mph in 5th gear. Over 40 mph your rpms increase faster than your speed (very very slightly) and over 55 mph you start fighting wind more and more.

kerafaith

Off topic:

Right. Around here you would get run over driving 55-60 on the interstate. The posted limit is 70 (unless there is road or bridge construction). But usually we usually travel at at least 80 & at 80 you can get passed like you are sitting still.

Just this past Tuesday I was driving 80 at around 9am & got passed by a Honda from Canada doing at least 90.

Anyway back on topic:
If you really want a car for gas milage I hear that my moms old 95 escort was pretty good. I also here Toyota has fantastic gas milage.

Laters

05WindveilGT

In replying to what Arcadian said (the quote button isn't working), driving with the windows down decreases gas milage. In fact, basic egronomics and the fundamentals of aerodynamics are not affected by having the windows down. Driving with the A/C on decreases gas milage as it requires more energy, in turn more gasoline consumed.

Matt

Shea

The best way I can put it is that automatic transmissions require more energy than manuals, therefore more of your gas is wasted on the loss of energy via the transmission if you drive an automatic.

AWmustang

Around town it is more efficient to run with the windows open, but at highway speeds the drag caused my the air entering the car and having nowhere to go makes it more efficient to run the A/C.

If you truly think that having the windows open has no effect, wouldn't you expect the interior to be just as calm with the windows down as it is with them up?

05WindveilGT

In regards to AWmustang, in actuality the restrictions are limited. While having the windows down may cause drag co-efficeincy on the highway, the results in regards to MPG are minimal. At highway speeds running the A/C cpnsumes more energy, the A/C system is very fuel inefficeint due to the condensor and evaporator creating more heat from these 2 parts. In turn more fuel is consumed and your final result is less miles per gallon and tank. Driving with the windows down at highway speeds is a very effeceint way to consume less fuel than driving with the A/C. While logistically you may believe it isn't, research, the basic fundamentals of aerodynamics and the transfer of gasoline to energy would conclude to a less efficeint automobile @ highway speeds. Hope this helps.

Matt

acadian

I can't find the link or remember the site, but I had read once a lengthly internet article on how engineers tested fuel economy with the windows up vs. down, and there was a bigger difference in mpg than you would think. I have no knowledge on aerodynamics myself, but I was just passing along info that I had read about and seemed to be from a reliable source. I could be wrong though.

05WindveilGT

I just want you to know that I'm not trying to flame you (accadian & awmustang), I just thought I'd pass on knowledge of this aera of automobiles as I do have some knowledge. As for the link, I believe on the Discovery Channel (Mythbusters) they ran 2 Explorers with the same amount of gas one @ 55mph, one with windows open and one with A/C turned on. The Explorer with the A/C on ran out of gas while the opened windowed Explorer ran about 25 more miles.

Matt

acadian

Matt, no flames taken. I definitely see your points. I never saw that episode of Mythbusters... but it looks like they busted the myth about having the windows rolled down decreasing gas mileage. I personally don't care if it's better or worse. I like the fresh air. Good to know that it may actually be better to have the windows rolled down.

05WindveilGT

Exactly, I love the fresh air better than A/C, I couldn't agree any better, plus if anyone buy a V-8 w/ 300 horses, who cares, it's the thrill of the rush!!

SixtySix

But would you like the fresh air if it was 120 degrees out?

acadian

Definitely... and living down around New Orleans with the heat and humidity, I have before. I grew up driving my old LX 5.0 throughout highschool without air conditioning. As long as you are moving it's fine. It's when you stop when it get's hot. Now, driving with the windows down when it's below 40, forget it.

freyke

I must have a lead foot... 16.3 AVG mix of city/Hwy...

CelticNut

Thanks for the feedback about why the fuel economy is different between manual and automatically-shifted transmissions. One thing I like about manuals is the ability to slow the car down dramatically by downshifting. Back in the day, my Driver's Ed teacher told me you can simulate this by stepping on the brake, then letting the car's idle drop a bit, then step on the brake again.

CelticNut

You'll be an ace in no time.

05windveilbluegt

I've been gettin 15-16 mpg on the first 700 miles. But i open it up whenever I get the chance. I didn't get this car to worry about the fuel economy!

I'm probably averaging lower on this tank.

I'm doing mainly city with short fast stretches of interstate around 80-100 mph. I65 4 lane highway has been good to really test the acceleration.

sync007

I can't believe that you all miss it. Drive down hill all the time

John

I average 25.5-26.0, mostly highway. On the interstate today, I set the cruise @70, punched it up to 85 a couple of times to pass, and averaged 29.2 mpg over 185 miles. Had a real good tailwind, though....