...is doing 2000 RPMs in first gear, does it use the same amount of gas as it does at 2000 RPMs in fifth gear. Of course, the car is going faster, but the engine isn't. That's what makes me curious. Thanks.
2007-12-08 11:11:07 · 6 answers · asked by Dr. Evil 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Yes and I have a trip computer to back that up. Fuel consumption is determined mostly by the load...wind resistance, uphill, downhill, weight, etc. The secondary aspect is the engine rpm and how that rpm correlates to the torque curve. The highest point in the torque curve is where the engine makes the most power with the fewest rpms and therefore uses the least amount of fuel for each horsepower produced.
To answer your question further, on level ground your car is going to get better gas mileage in say 5th @ 2,000 rpm= 60 mph than it would in 4th @ 2,500 rpm=60 mph because it takes power to spin the engine faster and the potential power output at that rpm is unneeded. Going up a steep mountain grade @ 60mph, most likely 4th@2,500rpm or even 3rd@3,000 rpm would get better mileage. It's going to take more power to spin the engine faster, but at that rpm the engine is able to generate the extra power that's needed to get you up the hill.
To simplify your answer, if you have a 10 speed bicycle, you know it takes more effort to pedal up a hill than on flat ground. Put it in 10th and try to pedal up a steep hill...you'll find it takes less effort if you put it in 5th. Put it in 1st on flat ground and you'll pedel yourself to death trying to get anywhere.
2007-12-09 06:26:26 · answer #1 · answered by bikinkawboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the engine is turning 2000 RPM it does not matter what gear you are in. A higher gear will give you more velocity at the same RPM. When you decide to lower the RPM from 2000 this will be the only time you will be using less fuel.
2007-12-08 19:16:56 · answer #2 · answered by hawksup2 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You use more fuel in 5th gear to maintain the 2000 RPM because the engine has to work harder, but you get better fuel mileage in 5th gear moving further for each revaluation of the engine. Once the vehicle is moving at speed mileage is greatly influenced by external resistance IE up or down hill, weight, wind.
2007-12-08 21:03:36 · answer #3 · answered by Greg P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on if the car is lugging or not. Lugging is...like what would happen if you tried to start a manual transmission car out in 4th from a stop. It may be turning low rpms but it is working hard. Basically depends on speed, wind resistance, etc. An engine can be working a lot harder to move a vehicle into the wind and uphill at 2,000rpm vs sitting in park running 2,000rpm.
2007-12-08 19:16:47 · answer #4 · answered by bob 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question... in theory it seems as though it would not... however the distance covered is going to be proportionate
the the gear ratio choosen... 5th gears in most vehicles are overdrive and you would actually have to maintain a constant
2000 rpm to justify your thoughts....
2007-12-08 19:33:26 · answer #5 · answered by RiverRat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it will use the same amount of gas, because the engine is revving at the same speed.... :)
2007-12-08 21:57:21 · answer #6 · answered by Stampy Skunk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋