BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

I know some may know this technique, or at least have heard of it. But let me say, this technique kicks ***!!

I have 2 Manually driven cars....

2000 Hyundai Accent- 1.5L M5 108k on the stock clutch, head gasket done last year due to a blown timing belt.

My average I would have to say, driving like a mad man, revving out at least the 1st 3 gears and driving 70-80 on the free way, 25-28 mpg, on basic octaine.

2002 Pontiac Trans-Am- 5.7L M6 34k, Lid, Headers, CATS, Cat back, Moser 12 bolt with now 4.11's (was 3.42)stock tune (plug gear chng), stock clutch. Full weight car minus the 12 disk changer.

Average before the mods and even with 3.42 gears was 15-16mpg. I also have to bear in mind this was winter driving so the gas probably was as good, but I drove all gears, tried to be in 6th when I could.

Now with driving more normal in each car, keeping it 55-65 on the freeway and short shifting. I managed 33 mpg with the hyundai and 17-18 mpg in the T/A, Sometimes 19 if I was lucky and all free way driving. Thats the with 3.42's.

In the hyundai I starting skipping gears. I short shift 1st at around 15 to 2nd, then 2nd up to 35ish mph, then put it into 4th. IF the car feels good it goes to 5th, if its just right. I leave it till 50, then shift. Also keeping it 55-65 free way which is 20% of my driving. I managed to beat my best of 33mpg and I eeked out 35mpg. That was 290 miles in 8.2 gallons of gas and I topped it off, it stopped at 8.002 lol which is more near 36!! Not bad for a lowly 4cly that cost me 1500$ 3 years ago.

Now with the T/A I went racing a few weeks back. I have a almost 100 mi trip one way to the track, racing and drive back. My drive there I was flying at 75-80 with 4.11 which revved 2.3k or so all the way there, raced all day, it was like 7 full passes, then drove home. The way home was more likr 55-60 becuase I followed a friend's trailer home, to help hom out. I managed 20 mpg!!

Now I tried to the technique of skipping gears. I did 1-2-4-6 and Now this is in town driving, almost no freeway, sometimes to work and back and I managed 21mpg with worst driving conditions fuel economy wise.

I know I can do better with the t/a, its just that I do not drive it all the time and you just have to get on it once in a while, I feel if I drove it more the milage would improve. Also a tune would help it. Its a bit rich with the new parts. I just clay barred some soot off my bummer, you cant see it but its there.

I have a trip in July to VT, I'm taking the car so we will see what all freeway driving 70mph does me.

Lets hear some of your stories.

thechef

iTrader: (13)

dude your gas mpg will improve greatly with a tune, on the hwy i am in the upper 20s at 70-80mph

CJDZ24_Z28

iTrader: (75)

Ditto a good on the tune!!!

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

short shifting will definitely help mileage. log your MAF Hz at a steady 45 mph in 4th and then put it in 5th. You'll see the frequency drop. Then compare to 50 mph in 6th. You'll see why these cars can do high 20's MPG on the highway.

NHRATA01

iTrader: (10)

I almost always shift 1-3-5 driving around town. Saves gas and some synchro life, especially since 2nd gets beat on at the track.

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

I definitly want to get a tune but its going to depend on what route I want to go. if it gets a cam, it will get tuned then when I get the cam. if I am going to go get a blower then i'll tune it now and wait afterwards.

Tune will make a diff.

I got to drive the car today, it worked perfect, 1-4-6 and with 4.11's and no aftermarket cam, drove well at 1k rpms rolling 40 mph.

styoung

iTrader: (4)

in my 99 ss i get about 16mpg city and very little highway, ive got a cam, 9in with 4.11, headers offroad y and no 5th, i just keep it under 2k.

lomaximumta

iTrader: (5)

I've been playing around with my driving habits lately to get better mileage. I do 1st-4th and then put it in 5th at like 45-50. Managed to squeeze 240miles out of 13 gallons. So 18mpg with 400rwhp.

Blacked Out

I am still getting mid 20's mpg in the vette at a bit over 400rwhp. But yes skipping gears will improve gas mileage the C5 comes with a skip shift so you have to skip second during certain conditions. However I did away with that I want to decide when I skip certain gears. I still need a better tune too!

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

Also to be mentioned weight of the car will matter, if you think about it, the less the static weight, the easier it is to move, less power used. Having the windows up and A/C on is better then t-tops off and windows down, due to wind drag. My car I know is on the heavier side.

z28C4maro82z

iTrader: (33)

I've heard that skipping gears will put un needed wear on the syncros. Is there any truth to this theory, or is it BS. I skip gears often, with gas at 3.00 a gallon it's almost necessary

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

I figure since GM made the car with a skip shift, the car makes you go into 4th. I do not beleive ti puts un needed wear on the gears, if anything your staying out of 2 gears which would save on the life of the tranny.

z28C4maro82z

iTrader: (33)

Thxs bud, I will def try the skipping gears and pay more attention to it. Lord knows with my debt, and gas prices right now every little bit helps

badpewter-z

iTrader: (4)

its also the reason the skip shift was put there so as to coinside with the epa regualtions and average mpg

02SCVette

iTrader: (3)

I'm averaging 26 mpg lately. I get 33 highway going to work @ 70 too. I never though I was buying a gas mizer. It's been even better with Don's tune too. Who'd think bigger injectors and a cam would mean better economy. I'll have to try the skip shifting and see how it does.