I know that when you have a manual transmission you save gas. However, Is it true that when you go in a higher gear and barely gun the gas pedal, keeping it steady and smooth speed the whole time is good for the gas mileage, however it makes the engine work harder, so even though you save gas, your engine is working harder than it needs to. Is this true? Save gas(Higher gear at low speed, but Harder though on Engine?
2007-02-15 16:22:32 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Manual transmissions transfer the engine power to the drive wheels through a mechanical systems of gears and sprokets, most automatic transmission transfer power via hydraulic pressure guided through a valve body. So if the power to wheel ration of a manual would be 1 to 1 for and automatic it would be less so you use more fuel to achive the same speed.
Lugging, everycar has an optimal power ratio, or power band some refer, and the engine runs best within this band. Fuel economy can increase by using the lower end of this band. Long operating periods below this band is not condusive to the longevity of your engine. Due to the various vehicles out there one can not say what rpms are the best to drive at one needs to experience this oneself.
2007-02-15 19:02:26 · answer #1 · answered by DeSaxe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not good for your engine or gas. If you need to be in third gear and your in fifth you are bogging down your engine and actually using more gas to go slower in the wrong gear. Shift your trans. between 3 and 31/2 RPMs and steady pressure on the gas pedal. Also instead of down shifting put it in neutral and cruise to a stop. Doing this saves gas and wear on your trans. Good Luck
2007-02-15 16:34:47 · answer #2 · answered by Timberland 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While it certainly is true you should try and drive in the highest gear possible, you want to make sure that you're not driving in too high of a gear. This is true for two reasons: 1) driving in too high of a gear will cause your engine to "knock" or "ping" which can be catastrophic to your engine and 2) you actually get WORSE gas mileage when you're in too high of a gear.
There's a pretty in depth answer at this link: http://www.dailyfueleconomytip.com/?p=22
2007-02-19 12:17:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Driving into high of a gear is called "lugging" which is also not good.
Rule of thumb
If the gas pedal has to stay close to the floor to maintain speed, you probably belong in the next lower gear
2007-02-15 16:36:15 · answer #4 · answered by waxpoetic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is called "lugging" and very bad for your engine as well. Causes carbon buildup around the pistons, among other things. The few cents saved on gas will not buy a new engine.
2007-02-15 16:33:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, when I drive a manual car, I don't push the car to a high RPM. I think it's easier to save gas on a manual car, because you tend to coast a lot more often than you would in an automatic.
2007-02-15 16:34:28 · answer #6 · answered by hungryhobbit33 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The engine doesn't work harder, but if you don't have enough speed, the shaking can be bad for other parts. Shifting at about 2,500 RPMs will usually get most cars good fuel economy and suitable acceleration.
2007-02-15 16:34:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a Geo Metro with the 3 cylinder engine. I drove it as fuel efficient as I could. I drove less congested routes with less stop and go traffic and with far less lights and hills. I Didn't let it rev very high and shifted often. I got 46.7mpg city and highway I got 40.1mpg.
I never lugged my engine but kept it pretty darn close to the lugging point.
2007-02-15 16:40:57 · answer #8 · answered by Kill_Me_Now! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋