MPG
 

What i was told growing up was the higher the rpm, the more gas you use. But on our car, when you click the ODO button to switch it to see how many mpg your getting, it shows less the more you step on the pedal. So my question is, what uses more gas high rpms, more pushing on the throttle, or both are about the same? Just curious thanks

This isn't really a one or the other answer.

High RPM creates extra unnecessary rotating energy in the engine/transmission that results in lower MPG.

At the same time lugging your engine uses extra fuel and creates extra heat which lowers your MPG.

For the best MPG you want the lowest gear possible with very little throttle without lugging the engine. Remember, your pedal isn't a direct link to the amount of air/fuel being let into the engine, if the ECU has to intervene to keep you moving you're likely to get horrible MPG at that point.


I typically average ~31MPG while revving my car out to 7k+ at WOT many times a day. How? -I sit in the perfect optimal gear/throttle position while cruising on the highway.

Keep shifts under 3k rpms and don't push down far on the pedal. I lost MPG going to my 18X9.5 wheels but not very much. Granted even with flooring it and driving with shifts around 3.5k - 4k, I got 25 mpg my last tank of gas. I get 28 mpg if I drive like a grandma. Tradeoff isn't much really. This car gets great mileage even driving hard, but not everyone's car is the same.

I am pretty easy on the gas pedal most of the time, generally shift from 3.5-4k and cruise around 2.1-2.6k. I'm averaging 29.3-29.8mpg depending on whether I've done much highway driving in a given amount of time. Most of my driving is on a major surface road, about 10-14 miles a day.

A few 7k RPM pulls a week and I still maintain ~27-28 MPG. The trick? I shift around 3k-4k RPM and use 6th gear as much as possible.

if you want good MPG, shift between 2.5k-3K, perfect for DD, also keep use 6th as much as possible.

i daily my car with mostly highway miles and i average 31 mpg. my trick at the beginning is to use the "fuel efficiency shift light" (or whatever its called) on the dash. coupled with easy throttle input. I usually shift at 3k-3.5k

So let's say I'm going like 40 mph. Should I stay in 6th at 1800 rpm or 5th at 2300 rpm?

5th gear is better in this situation. Car struggles under 2k RPM. I'm getting 31.9 MPG. Lots of highway driving though.

Thanks. Yeah I average 31. But I usually stay in 6th on the streets. I think I drive closer to 45 though.

50 mph is a good spot for 6th gear. 40-45 mph on a flat road.

i just do whatever i have to that lets me barely press the gas pedal. on the highway, i can easily get 400 MILES out of a tank.

I shift around 3k rpm with light throttle input. If you can withstand going (legally) slow on the freeway, keep your throttle at 17% unless you dip below 50 mph. I've gotten 41 mpg on a tank before, and am averaging 36 mpg.