Jinen

So, the other day when I was driving, I put my 5AT into the step-tronic mode...I was just messing around...however, I've heard that higher gears give better gas mileage (pleaseeeeee correct me if i am wrong lol)...

so, let's say that if i was on an inner street where speed limit is 25 or 35...would it be better to drive in 5th gear using step-tronic rather than leaving it on "D" and letting the computer drive on 3rd or 4th gear??

any advantages/disadvantages in doing so?
would it give better gas mileage?
is it harmful to the car at such low speeds?

just curious... =)

Ron A

When using the Sequential Sports Shift mode, the transmission will not shift to a higher gear when in 2nd-4th gears unless you manually do so, but it will downshift if the speed decreases to a certain preset limit. In the owner's manual, page 184, it says that when driving on level roads and downhill, it will shift from 5 to 4 when the speed range goes below 38mph.

For normal driving in the city, when you don't need sudden bursts of acceleration, it is probably better to leave it in D than go into the SS mode.

rets

As Ron A mentioned above, 5th gear isn't always the best mode for driving. I bet our ECU has mapped dozens of efficient options for our Auto mode. You should take advantage of Auto and use it to get better MPG. As long as you don't have the big foot, you prolly would always get good MPG in NJ.

ONAGER

if you lug the engine you can actually lower your fuel mileage. all though the engine is turning lower rpms, you are having to open the throttle more and longer to get the car to move, as the cars gearing isnt optimized for that speed/gear. have you ever noticed that you have to push the pedel more when in a higher gear? and if you leave it in that higher gear it takes longer to accelerate?

your car is most fuel efficient when its providing the most power for the least amount of fuel consumed. which for us is on the hwy in the tallest gear. when in high gear, at low speeds its consuming fuel but providing little work.

plus it is the general consensus in the automotive world that lugging the engine is bad for it in the long run. i wouldnt let the engine get below 2000 rpm unless i was in 1st or 2nd gear. as the engines gear ratios are close enough to be benificial

Sherlock

onager: hit the nail on the head, 2 points..