Just wondering what you guys think the safest, lowest cruising RPM is for the 5.0 with manual trans (light engine load, flat ground of course). I have 3.31's and hate being stuck in 5th gear between 45-55 over 2k rpm (kills my mpg). If I shift to 6th, I will be below 1500 rpm and that doesn't seem safe. I try to stay 1500 or higher.

For you automatic transmission owners, what is the lowest rpm it will cruise at in top gear, torque converter locked?

 

1,750ish - I have 3.73 so anything above about 40 and I'm good haha

 

The 5.0 will lug the car around at 1K all day long without issue.

I always try to stay in 6th while cruising down the road.

It's also the only way to get any semblance of fuel economy.

 

But it will feel uncomfortable...try to keep it at 1500 or higher. At that RPM you are on the low end of your power band and not lugging your motor.

 

That sort of thing is all in your head.

Doesn't feel at all uncomfortable to me or the motor, run like that all the time.

And speed is just a downshift away, no biggie.

 

I have a '13 V6 with 3.31s (like OP) and *I* can drive on the flats all day at 1k rpm (6th). So the GT can certainly do it. And that's on the crappy standard Canadian gas too.

 

My V6 automatic with 3.31 gears likes to keep itself around 1500. Not the same as a V8, but there you go.

 

The auto works best above 2000 rpms.

 

I shift to 6th at 40mph (5.0 with 3.73). The car sits right around 1200 RPM and that way I get decent gas mileage. The car doesn't mind it at all. Sure, I don't have great acceleration, but that's what 2nd through 4th are for.
Then on the ramps I let it rev high while merging. Someone here said "Redline a day keeps the mechanics away."

 

Well, I guess I'm driving totally wrong. I'm rarely out of 3rd gear by 40mph. And I don't go into 6th until 60mph or so. But that's just me.

 

I don't worry too much about it and average 21.6 mpg over 42,000 miles with this car so far. With 3.31s, generally into 5th at 40mph and 6th at 60.

 

I think the way you drive provides more acoustic pleasure .

 

2.73 rear end hovers between 1100 and 1300 in non sport mode

 

2011 automatic with a 93 octane tune, cruising at highways speeds, the tach shows at the 2K mark. 3:31 rear gear, and the onboard MPG indicator shows a constant 23.6 range.

 

I got a 3.73 5.0 and I cruise right at 1k in 6th doin 40 all day long. Ur not hurting anything. Dont be scurred.

 

Mustang 5.0 vs gas mileage....lol.....drive it so you are comfortable.

 

wish there was an ECO button in my auto

 

I have the V6.....I am getting on interstate usually about 26 to 27.....in town is about 22 to 23......6th gear I do not use until on the interstate above 60 mph. I try to keep my revs below the 2k range as much as possible......I shift alot in town since I don't use the interstate into work....so I normally don't get past 4th at all. My 14 is 3800 miles so far on it.

 

When you say safe, are you talking about causing wear on the engine? Or if you're in too high a gear you can't accelerate in an emergency?

I wouldn't worry about hurting the engine, even at 1K RPM in 6th the engine doesn't really lug.

 

I think crusing at 1k RPM in overdrive will lug the engine. Does anyone know for sure??