I always thought the manual transmission got better gas milage than the automatics. Now it looks like the opposite. 2011 GT auto (17/25) vs Manual (16/24) according to my brochure.

 

I love lamp.

















lol I'm just messing with you, but yes this has been covered. What's your point bud? It has to do with the gearing, axle ratio and internal transmission gearing. That's how the mileage is different. I'm sure the MT guys will be able to get better than the EPA ratings. Well, at least after the first few weeks (I know you guys will be driving the crap out of them after all this waiting!).

 

I believe those are the 2010 mileage numbers. The 2011 mileage numbers (iirc) are 18/25 auto and 17/26 manual.

They are neck and neck really.

 

Manual, depends on how you drive.

 

EPA numbers can sometimes favor automatics due to test procedures.

In the real world manuals usually get 5-20% Better mileage. Consumer report did a comparison recently.

 

Automatics, most of the time, will dictate what gear the car is in, and the programming for that is always geared toward MPG for EPA purposes. For example, if you accelerate at a moderate pace, the auto will have you in 5th gear at 35mph. This is why the auto gets slightly better mileage on the city side; 99% of drivers with manuals do not shift into 2nd at 5mph, 3rd at 15mph, etc... I sure as hell don't.

However, manuals by definition will always be more efficient than automatics, and it shows on the highway circuit; the gearings are nearly the same but the manual transmits 5-10% more power than an equivalent automatic will; highway circuits are mostly done in one gear, negating the gearshifting advantage of the AT.

So there you have it. That's why the MT brackets the AT by one on either side. Or at least, that's my interpretation.

 

manual for life.

 

Do you really love lamp, or are you just saying it because you saw it?

 

Me either. I like the sound of my car too much to have it bogging around at 1500 rpm.

 

You made me **** myself

 

Mustang Auto's do have the choice of dropping it into 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear... and on the 2010 you just turn the O/D off for extra revs while in drive. I do these all the time... Drop into first, push to the redline, bump it to 2nd, and so forth... works perfect.

 

and that's why the automatics get better mileage!

 

Additionally, the V6 automatics have narrower tires, 215's instead of 225's.

Car and Driver just published an article comparing upsized wheel and tire combos. You can see the effect of tire size on fuel economy here. (Click the image for the full article)

 

It's not just the width as to why the auto V6 Mustang gets better mileage. The tires on the automatic cars are quite a bit taller so the motor is turning less RPM at speed plus the tires are optomized for fuel economy over handling.

 

Manual for life as well. But if I get really old, or develop a mobility problem, I'll go auto.

 

They are taller, but I wouldn't say they are quite a bit taller. The difference in diameter from the taller V6 auto tires to the manual V6 tires is only .37", or 1.3%.

 

once auto - always auto. I changed with 30. Its rare that someone changes from auto to manual back.

 

I guess I'm just rare then my first Mustang was an auto when I was 18, but my last three have all been manuals, in fact all five of our current cars are equipped with manual transmissions, despite 6 of the 20 cars I've owned in the past 22 years being autos.

 

Auto vs Manual for me depends on what I want it for.

For drag racing I would only go with an automatic, you just can't beat the consistancy.

For a street toy then the manual can be more fun.

 

Nice post! Very useful information.