21 mpg

[dammitmitchell]

oh i forgot.. Congrats. it feels good dont it?

 

[The Champ]

Auto trannys are the enemy of fuel economy, and nobody gets it.

Guys that understand how transmissions work, "get it".

And for those of us who were driving sticks before many of the members here were even a gleam in their daddy's eye - well, we just know...

 

[Todd80Z28]

Guys that understand how transmissions work, "get it".

And for those of us who were driving sticks before many of the members here were even a gleam in their daddy's eye - well, we just know...

Modern transmissions have virtually erased that advantage, though. Lockup converters, better internal design to minimize losses, etc.

Plus, manufacturers are making choices that are contrary to max fuel economy with manual trans models. Perfect example-my 2006 Acura TL. The 5spd auto model has a final drive of 2.11:1 in 5th, whereas the 6spd manual model (mine) has a 2.53:1 final in 6th. RPMs are 300-400 higher at 75mph with the 6spd. The stick ends up getting 1-2mpg worse on the highway due to this.
I would prefer to have the option of the taller gearing with the stick, but not possible. I suspect they gear the stick models shorter to enhance the sporty feel, plus to ensure lower NOx emissions (which ramp up at low RPM loaded conditions).

 

[Twisted_Metal]

^+1

I've gotten 20 mpg with the A/C running.
3.42 gears/200-4R and lock-up converter (2.28 final ratio)

21 mpg is very good with a 1:1 4 speed in these cars!!!!

 

[Patrick73RS]

Some of the new VW's being sold show the auto getting better MPG that the stick

My Auto had a lock up in 4th so I do not see the stick doing any better than me.

 

[The Champ]

Modern transmissions have virtually erased that advantage, though. Lockup converters, better internal design to minimize losses, etc.

Yes, but lockup transmissions weren't available back in the day when 2nd gens were built...

The new trannies are an improvement over the one's I grew up with, but are still not as good as a manual transmission.

Plus, manufacturers are making choices that are contrary to max fuel economy with manual trans models. Perfect example-my 2006 Acura TL. The 5spd auto model has a final drive of 2.11:1 in 5th, whereas the 6spd manual model (mine) has a 2.53:1 final in 6th. RPMs are 300-400 higher at 75mph with the 6spd. The stick ends up getting 1-2mpg worse on the highway due to this.
I would prefer to have the option of the taller gearing with the stick, but not possible. I suspect they gear the stick models shorter to enhance the sporty feel, plus to ensure lower NOx emissions (which ramp up at low RPM loaded conditions).

GM is listening to you..

The most popular compact car in the U.S., the Chevy Cruze "Eco", gets 42 on the highway with the 6 speed manual and only 37 with the 6 speed automatic.

I've always enjoyed rowing my own gears and miss having manual transmissions as options on many vehicles.