What RPM are you shifting at? (6MT peeps)

[GrumpyVet]

Pretty much the title. I have a very short drive to work every day that is pretty much a hill in both directions. Don't ask me how, apparently it's a hill one of my Grandfather's had to walk up to school in the snow...

Anywho, I have a bit working against me in regards to mileage, whereabouts are you shifting to get good gas mileage? What RPM are you holding instead of upshifting into the next gear?

TIA and a pic of the hotrod for attention sake

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[oxi]

Now those questions are in the gray zone.

I never really looked at what I shift at, maybe its the feel and sound and knowing when to naturally shift after 30 years of driving Toyota trucks.

But, for better mileage that is the debate I have whenever I drive it.

For starters, if you want better mileage, you have to drive it slower. That is not get up to speed so fast, passing all of the time, huge throttle inputs. More gentle and smooth, better mileage.

On the Interstate, common instinct would be to shift into 6th gear and let it go. But I have noticed the turbo kicks in more because in 6th you are at a lower rpm band when approaching hills, other vehicles, headwinds, you name it.

When I just keep it in 5th, run slightly higher rpm's, I get less turbo input. Driving preference is yours and mood of the day.

But I can get up to 22 car mpg's if I drive smooth into shifts and not punch it or be aggressive. Smooth is faster and better. A good tail wind helps too.

 

[GrumpyVet]

Now those questions are in the gray zone.

I never really looked at what I shift at, maybe its the feel and sound and knowing when to naturally shift after 30 years of driving Toyota trucks.

But, for better mileage that is the debate I have whenever I drive it.

For starters, if you want better mileage, you have to drive it slower. That is not get up to speed so fast, passing all of the time, huge throttle inputs. More gentle and smooth, better mileage.

On the Interstate, common instinct would be to shift into 6th gear and let it go. But I have noticed the turbo kicks in more because in 6th you are at a lower rpm band when approaching hills, other vehicles, headwinds, you name it.

When I just keep it in 5th, run slightly higher rpm's, I get less turbo input. Driving preference is yours and mood of the day.

But I can get up to 22 car mpg's if I drive smooth into shifts and not punch it or be aggressive. Smooth is faster and better. A good tail wind helps too.

Sounds like I'm driving it about as well as I can. My mileage just won't get over 15.3 on the dash. I know it's probably a little stronger than that since I have the bigger tires...but not much.

Thanks!

 

[Warthog-TRD]

I was wondering the same thing considering I am going on a 300 mile road trip this afternoon.

I find myself usually shifting from 2,200 - 2,500 RPMs, and for long drives I am letting it coast in 6th gear around 75 mph.

For city driving around town i am getting 13-16 mpg, for longer journeys I am getting 22-25 mpg depending on my throttle input. I will have a more accurate mpg for long travel after today.

 

[Cappaworks]

I

Pretty much the title. I have a very short drive to work every day that is pretty much a hill in both directions. Don't ask me how, apparently it's a hill one of my Grandfather's had to walk up to school in the snow...

Anywho, I have a bit working against me in regards to mileage, whereabouts are you shifting to get good gas mileage? What RPM are you holding instead of upshifting into the next gear?

TIA and a pic of the hotrod for attention sake

I short shift most of the time. I rarely shift above 3,500 rpm. In most cases it’s sub 3,000 rpm. I’m still on stock tires and wheels. I travel a lot on the highway and off-road. The best I can average is generally just below 20 mpg cruising at 70-75 mph. I can do better for short stints (22+) but hills and mountains in my area kill the average. Around town, 16-17 is pretty common.

The larger tires and wheels and weight of your gear will eat into the mpg by a few. Keep in mind, larger tires slow the speedometer down, so if you are using your OE gauge, you are actually traveling further than you think and getting better mpg.

 

[gmalkmus]

I pretty much always shift from 1 -2 at 3000-3500 rpm, 2-3 at 3000-3500, and then all the others a bit less than 3000.

 

[GrumpyVet]

I pretty much always shift from 1 -2 at 3000-3500 rpm, 2-3 at 3000-3500, and then all the others a bit less than 3000.

This is where I'm at. Both 1-2, 2-3 are around to under 3k and then I try to hold around 2k for best mileage.

 

[gmalkmus]

This is where I'm at. Both 1-2, 2-3 are around to under 3k and then I try to hold around 2k for best mileage.

It feels like it bogs down pretty bad if you do a 1-2 shift below 3000 rpm. The ratio spread between 1 and 2 is pretty wide!

 

[GrumpyVet]

It feels like it bogs down pretty bad if you do a 1-2 shift below 3000 rpm. The ratio spread between 1 and 2 is pretty wide!

I've thought about this too. Doesn't really feel like we have a 'Granny Gear' so to speak. I've been kicking around lowering the gearing out back to see if it would help. Unless I'm on the interstate, 6th is useless for me. But I'm not 100% sure how any of that works, but something I'm thinking about looking into.

 

[ChuckDBike]

I usually shift around 3500+ in 1-2 cause it shifts a bit smoother. I will cruise at 70 in 5th. 6th is for 70+. Getting 24-25mpg pretty consistently on trips and 22 mpg on the dash average. Stock tires, alu cab topper, and a heavy bike rack.

Seems like this engine enjoys higher rpms than I was expecting and I have adjusted my driving style for that. My 2nd gen didnt care about low rpms, this engine certainly does.

 

[AmbyBomb]

Redline.

 

[Texas Bob]

I've thought about this too. Doesn't really feel like we have a 'Granny Gear' so to speak. I've been kicking around lowering the gearing out back to see if it would help. Unless I'm on the interstate, 6th is useless for me. But I'm not 100% sure how any of that works, but something I'm thinking about looking into.

You and I drive differently: in my suburban driving the speed limit is often 45 mph so we are all going around 50. I use 6th gear at 50+ so long as only light throttle is required. No boost is showing and there is no lugging under those conditions. If there's a hill or I need to accelerate, then I downshift. I don't know this, but I'm pretty confident that the auto tranny trucks will go into a high gear and keep the rpms below 2000 a lot of the time when acceleration isn't needed. And BTW, do you need a lower granny gear than 1st gear in low range? I do not.

 

[GrumpyVet]

You and I drive differently: in my suburban driving the speed limit is often 45 mph so we are all going around 50. I use 6th gear at 50+ so long as only light throttle is required. No boost is showing and there is no lugging under those conditions. If there's a hill or I need to accelerate, then I downshift. I don't know this, but I'm pretty confident that the auto tranny trucks will go into a high gear and keep the rpms below 2000 a lot of the time when acceleration isn't needed. And BTW, do you need a lower granny gear than 1st gear in low range? I do not.

I doubt it is the driving and more the vehicle. How much extra weight/wind resistance/rotating mass have you added to your vehicle? Before I put the camper on I used 6th gear all of the time. Before I put the 35s on I got 25 mpg.

Anywho, yes I think I need a lower granny gear too.

 

[GSPHerder]

If you have to ask, then drive it for 3 more years then come back and let us know. Engine load should be telling you when to shift.

rpm/friction/heat vs. engine load. pick your poison.

Me personally, MT or Auto I'll take the rpm/friction/heat over the mechanical load/stress. Good question indeed.

 

[Texas Bob]

I doubt it is the driving and more the vehicle. How much extra weight/wind resistance/rotating mass have you added to your vehicle? Before I put the camper on I used 6th gear all of the time. Before I put the 35s on I got 25 mpg.

Anywho, yes I think I need a lower granny gear too.

Makes sense: mine is stock so 6th gear is useful a lot of the time. You know what your compromises are, but it seems like a lot of people put on giant tires, lift kits, overlanding gear and then wonder why they don't get close to the EPA mpg ratings.

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