Shift points for fuel economy?
Junior Member
Joined: 07-16-08
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: USA
I actually see 99MPG in neutral EVERY day as well. Maybe YOU havent watched your MPG INST go straight to 99 whenever you shift...And regarding rev matching, it helps with the syncros and the way I shift puts less strain on the clutch. I may have worded what I was trying to say wrong. I let my RPMs drop off to around 2K or so, making sure it stays in the correct range. This helps with smoother shifting, simply because our trannys are clunky little bastards. The reason I shift into neutral on off ramps, parking lots, or any other place where I will eventually shift anyways, it actually preserves the throw out bearing, simply because you are not holding down the clutch the entire time. I also put it in neutral at stop lights. It may be slightly more dangerous, put I have the reflexes of a marsupial, I'm fast, lol. Oh yeah and I still pump my brakes just to preserve my pads, off topic, but just showing my nifty thriftyness.
In regards to Isitfast, I get what ur saying about CC, and I totally agree, I use the CC on highways, and on hills I stop using it, and coast down the hill, then once the hill starts its upward approach, and I gently press gas, until desired speed is reached. The CC is purely for convenience for myself, because I tend to forget about MPG when I'm using my foot.
In regards to Isitfast, I get what ur saying about CC, and I totally agree, I use the CC on highways, and on hills I stop using it, and coast down the hill, then once the hill starts its upward approach, and I gently press gas, until desired speed is reached. The CC is purely for convenience for myself, because I tend to forget about MPG when I'm using my foot.
Anybody skip gears when they shift or have thoughts on this? My friend has a Dodge Challenger 6 speed and his manual recommends skipping several gears for best fuel economy.
I tried skipping 4th gear, but stopped because I was worried it might not be good for the transmission. I would take 3rd to about 3k and then skip to 5th and it went smoothly.
I started holding first to 3k, higher than I normally do, and found it to be smoother when shifting to second.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 02-11-09
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 2
From: Detroit, MI
I find the Cobalt to be very smooth and easy to drive. The drivetrain is far more lenient when dealing with clunky shifts. In my 07 Mustang GT, a poor shift can be easily heard via the excessive driveline clunking.
The GM RWD/V8 cars with manuals generally skip from 1 to 4 via skip shift solenoid. You can disable that to shift normally and it was found on most F-body cars and the Corvettes. The V8 engines have enough low end torque to allow a 1-4 skip shift at low RPM. Heck, I could even take off in 3rd gear with my Mustang's 4.6L 3V V8 which doesn't have a lot of low end torque.
I've done a few 1-3-5 shifts in the Cobalt and they seemed to go smoothly.
The GM RWD/V8 cars with manuals generally skip from 1 to 4 via skip shift solenoid. You can disable that to shift normally and it was found on most F-body cars and the Corvettes. The V8 engines have enough low end torque to allow a 1-4 skip shift at low RPM. Heck, I could even take off in 3rd gear with my Mustang's 4.6L 3V V8 which doesn't have a lot of low end torque.
I've done a few 1-3-5 shifts in the Cobalt and they seemed to go smoothly.
Junior Member
Joined: 07-16-08
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: USA
I do find it annoying to shift from 4th to 5th because 4th will only last for a second and it's time for 5th. It seems like a waste because there is very little change in rpm. I use 5th for >50mph.
New Member
Joined: 08-18-08
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg
I shift at 2800 for first, 2800 for second, 2500 for third, 2100 for fourth and 2100 for fifth. I also accelerate like there is an egg between the gas pedal and the floor. I normally get about 29-31 mpg dong this
Senior Member
Joined: 02-09-09
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 5
From: Tejas
I do 2-4 shifts pretty often if I ride the RPM up in 2nd. I also do 5-3 a lot on the highway when about to pass or run somebody. It seems like you're still in a good part of the RPM range as long as you're sub-75 or so.
Update: It's official. My gas mileage has gone down since the CPs and DP. At least with city driving (not enough stretches to cruise for long periods and take advantage of the better economy). Maybe highway will be different. Guess I'm gonna have to get a tune now... shucks.
Update: It's official. My gas mileage has gone down since the CPs and DP. At least with city driving (not enough stretches to cruise for long periods and take advantage of the better economy). Maybe highway will be different. Guess I'm gonna have to get a tune now... shucks.
Great explanation! You drive similar to how I do. The only time I go to neutral is at a stop, so I don't have to hold the clutch in. These cars are damn hard to drive smooth!
Anybody skip gears when they shift or have thoughts on this? My friend has a Dodge Challenger 6 speed and his manual recommends skipping several gears for best fuel economy.
I tried skipping 4th gear, but stopped because I was worried it might not be good for the transmission. I would take 3rd to about 3k and then skip to 5th and it went smoothly.
I started holding first to 3k, higher than I normally do, and found it to be smoother when shifting to second.
Anybody skip gears when they shift or have thoughts on this? My friend has a Dodge Challenger 6 speed and his manual recommends skipping several gears for best fuel economy.
I tried skipping 4th gear, but stopped because I was worried it might not be good for the transmission. I would take 3rd to about 3k and then skip to 5th and it went smoothly.
I started holding first to 3k, higher than I normally do, and found it to be smoother when shifting to second.
Junior Member
Joined: 07-16-08
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: USA
Correct. It wont even technically wear out TOB, but it will shorten the lifespan. It will not slip or burn the clutch. Only way to do this is A.Peg it and drop it. Or option B. Time. I prefer option B.
i started reading this thread and it seems odd that the turbos get worse gas milage than the sc's. im getting 38 mixed highway city and alot of traffic but i shift low alot of the time below 2k and if i get on it a bit i go to 2.5k
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: 02-11-09
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 2
From: Detroit, MI
It's very easy to get into boost with the turbo. I find that in normal driving with normal terrain, I can easily get 5-10 PSI with very very light throttle (ala egg under throttle).
Senior Member
Joined: 04-21-09
Posts: 2,846
Likes: 0
From: vero beach fl
if you concentrate on not hitting boost you can but normal acelleration with traffic around me i usually hit about 5lbs. but just keep your eye on the guadge and just keep in mind your trying to save some gas
Senior Member
Joined: 02-09-09
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 5
From: Tejas
What's even wierder is how we get better mileage than the base Cobalts. I had to drive a rental one a while back and was surprised to discover that is thirstier than my SS. Another friend noticed this too when he got a rental too while his SS was in the shop.
Banned
Joined: 01-07-09
Posts: 806
Likes: 0
From: The Mitten
Reading some of your guy's posts about how you shift at 2,000 or 3,000 RPMs all the time and only get 25-28. I guess 28 is good compared to me.
But I don't try to conserve gas at all. I drive my car safe but very "spirited" on the roads. I love the acceleration of 2nd gear... so a lot of the times outside city limits, I find myself taking 2nd gear to around 5k.
My turbo is spooling every gear shift pretty much. City driving/rush hour excluded perhaps.
I average 22-24 MPG on every tank. Thats with some highway.. sometimes a lot, sometimes very little. I just love to drive the car. I didn't get it for the track and I didn't get it to shift at 2,000rpms like a granny.
But I don't try to conserve gas at all. I drive my car safe but very "spirited" on the roads. I love the acceleration of 2nd gear... so a lot of the times outside city limits, I find myself taking 2nd gear to around 5k.
My turbo is spooling every gear shift pretty much. City driving/rush hour excluded perhaps.
I average 22-24 MPG on every tank. Thats with some highway.. sometimes a lot, sometimes very little. I just love to drive the car. I didn't get it for the track and I didn't get it to shift at 2,000rpms like a granny.
Junior Member
Joined: 07-28-08
Posts: 489
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
I generally shift at around 3k, and I find I get the best fuel economy cruising around mid 2k rpm range. Really, I don't think about mileage too much because I didn't buy a turbocharged car to *****-foot around. I wouldn't ever say the car is bad on gas though. I avg about 25mpg with mostly city driving, gets a little better if I'm on a road trip or something.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-25-08
Posts: 12,450
Likes: 6
From: Florida
That is due to the combustion efficiency of the DI.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post