YoungGunLs1

So I wanted to search for this, but like everyone knows the search is down right now and I am curious to see what everyone has to say.

at 55 to about 62 mph is it better to drive the car in 5th gear or in 6th gear? I have read before that it is better to drive in 5th because 6th gear is too low of an rpm at those speeds.

I always drive in 6th gear being I thought maybe I get better mileage...but maybe I am wrong?? I assume if the engine is running at a lower rpm the mileage is better, but maybe at that lower rpm the engine is under more load and it takes more fuel...

If anyone could let me know what gear you drive in from 55 mph to about 62 mph and which gear you will get better gas mileage at and which is better/less stressful on your car that would be awesome.

**EDIT on 4/16/07** So that everyone who reads this thread now knows, I started this over a year ago back when I still had an LS1. I just thought I would mention that so that people were not confused, being I now drive an LT1..

87Fake

I just go by feel. If it feels like its chugging in 6th, then its too much load and probobly eating more fuel than if it were in a lower gear. For me, on the highway I'm in 6th, like 60-65 and above. But with my cam and stock gears I can't hold 6th to lower speeds.

billyboyr6

at that speed i drive in 6TH gear. but i have 4.56 gears so my 6TH is like your 5TH

GTObsessor

iTrader: (2)

I wouldn't use 6th below 65mph and press on the throttle lightly or downshift because the engine's loaded pretty heavily with the combination of a short 6th gear, high friction/air resistance, and low rpms.

sidewayz28

iTrader: (24)

i definitly drive it in 5th..theres no need for 6th grear unless your going like high 70s-80s...even if im going 70 ill stay in 5th

YoungGunLs1

the only need i see is better gas mileage, but are my thoughts wrong in thinking that running at a lower rpm will give me better mileage, or is the fact that the engine is under more load giving me worse mileage?

red_pacu1

i go by feel also. 6th is too high of a gear imo to be driving at 55mph

YoungGunLs1

ya i agree at 55...i ussually shift to 6th at anything above 60, but maybe i shouldn't be, and maybe I would get better mileage if I didn't so all of your comments are lots of help in trying to figure out what is best!

_JB_

iTrader: (33)

I drive in 5th, just seems like it bogs to much in 6th.

Ace$nyper

iTrader: (8)

6th for me cause I'm just using CC and my milage was better then in 5th.

silverbullet02

iTrader: (2)

55+ with stock gears I'd put 'er in 6th, especially on flat road. Now, if in the hills, and you gotta put the pedal down more than just a wee bit, then I'd drop it in 5th. Basically, you wanna spin as little rpm as possible without lugging it. Lugging the engine is bad for it, but if it feels comfortable, run it in 6th. With gas so freakin expensive, I like to go as far as I can on a tank.

tappy

I drive mine in 5th because i have that tricky thumping noise i cant figure out at 1500rpm

SSCamaro99_3

iTrader: (1)

When the car was stock I could run 6th in the low 50's on a flat road. Any hill required a shift to 5th.

Ryan02SS

iTrader: (3)

Anything over 50 mph on flat or downhill slopes I hit 6th. Uphill requires a little more throttle so I go to 5th gear. Keeping the lowest rpm w/o bogging the engine will give the best MPG.

BJM

iTrader: (1)

Anything above 55-60, I use 6th. Your owner's manual tells you to shift into 6th at 50 mph. The engine feels luggy at that RPM but its more of a preference for feel than harming the engine. I never go beyond about 1/3 throttle in 6th unless I am really moving.

super_fro_daddy

iTrader: (29)

do you drive it on the street??!!!

Zeus

man, I guess you guys and I are different animals because I drive my car in 6th down surface streets. I have 4.10s, but the difference shouldn't be that much. If it's just flat ground and I don't have to accelerate, I'll even let my car idle down the road in 6th gear.

Of course if I need to accelerate or I'm coming to a hill I'll downshift, but other than that my car is perfectly happy.

Ferocity02

iTrader: (60)

Definitely 6th. No need to spin the motor faster if your just cruising. Higher RPM = more engine movement = more wear/shorter life, in theory... If I go to pass a car or go up a hill at that speed I will downshift.

sgarnett

iTrader: (1)

I think "less wear" is probably valid as long as the engine is running smooth. Once you're lugging it down to the point that it's running rough, the pressure in the cylinder is probably peaking too early, and that probably causes more wear.

From watching the measured airflow while cruising in different gears, I can say that less is definitely better for economical cruising. On level pavement at constant speed, 1200 rpm is about right for economy, though you have to be fairly gentle on the throttle. 1400~1700 will be more comfortable and responsive, but it will also burn more gas.

GTA91

iTrader: (14)

Depends on if the road is flat or hilly... my GTO 6spd was geared better than my '02 WS6 and now my GTA has a T56 and 4.11's so its different as well. It just depends on the road and how I feel but I you can definately waste gas using 6th when its no necessary and when it puts a huge load on the engine