Whats the best driving methods to save lots of gas driving a manual transmission?

Question

I already know most manual transmissions save more gas than automatic, but what can I do as a driver to save even more gas and improve mpg driving...

Answer 1

its a bit of a myth that manuals save more gas than autos now'adays....modern automatics are extremely close and in general shift automatically at the best times. however, if were talking older cars, i suppose it could be true but not a huge difference. anyways, shift at lower RPMS around 2000. drive at lower speeds. also, as with any car, get rid of unnessecary c**p in your car. if its a van, maybe take our removable seats you dont need. dont keep hockey equipment or anything in the car if you dont need it.

Answer 2

get a bike.

Answer 3

Just shift earlier (lower rpm).  The rest is the same with auto.  There are few thing you can do to save (or maximize) gas MPG. First get a tune-up.

(1) spark plugs

(2) spark plug wires

(3) distributors, coil, rotors (if you have them).

(4) new air filter

(5) PCV

(6) correct tire pressure

(7) clear the trunk of useless heavy items

(8) spray clean MAF sensor.

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Forget all those "SAVE GAS" scams.  This was on NBC morning TV show.   The difference is as much as 38% (their claim).  There are very simple rules to save gas:

(1) drive slow - not too much past 55

(2) accelerate slowly

(3) don't brake unnecessarily

(4) use cruise control - whenever it is safe to do so.

Don't coast - it is NOT safe (to coast in Nuetral) and it does NOT save gas.  It only saves gas, if you are planning to slow down (exiting, tolls, traffic).  Coasting then accelerating again is LESS efficient than just cruising.

The above really works. Using those simple rules I was able to drive from Boston to NYC (210.5 miles) on just 5.112 gallon (94 Civic).  That's 41 MPG (94 Civic 187K miles).  Actually I was speeding at 72 MPH so I could do even better at 55.

WOW !!

Good Luck...

Answer 4

don't coast to a stop, use the engine to brake(roll into the stop with the clutch engaged and disengage the clutch when the rpms hit 2000 to 1500 so you don't stall the engine) most motorcycle riders and big rig drivers will know what i'm talking about, this allows the car to turn off the injectors and use no fuel while the car's momentum is keeping the engine turning.

Answer 5

Another trick is to short shift.  Start in first then shift to third then fifth.  My car is a 2008 Cobalt and the shift light comes on at about 1900-2000 rpm.  I take it to 2500 before I short shift, that way you have ample RPM to gain speed after shifting without loading the engine to much and hence being counter productive to the purpose of short shifting.  I noticed my average MPG climb from 31 city to 35 city.  It gets almost 46 on the highway but thats staying at 55-60mph.

Answer 6

Get into high gear quickly (without stalling your engine...). Go smoothly from 1st to 2nd, then to 3rd and 4th without too much throttle...just enough to get rolling and build momentum.  

Don't "put the hammer down" from a dead stop and don't charge up to a red light and then slam on the brakes.  Use only enough speed to keep up with traffic, don't tailgate, and coast to a stop whenever you can instead of using brakes.

If your transmission has an overdrive gear, use it whenever you can (usually on the highway or on level roads whithout a lot of traffic).  In overdrive your engine crankshaft is spinning slower than your driveshaft, so the fuel savings are quite dramatic.

Get in the habit of driving to save fuel and you'll go a lot further on every tank of gas. Not only that, but it's a safer and less stressful way to drive.