cruising at 50-55 mph

[Flowbee V6]

4th or 5th gear for best mileage? I vaguely remember this being debated before but I cant find it. Thanks

[LD]

whatever has your rpms lower

[MustangEater8251]

lower rpms the better...

I think idealy on an average motor I think its best to keep the rpms below 2.5-3k

[Flowbee V6]

That seems logical and thats what I do but I heard some convincing arguments against 5th gear :shrugs shoulders:

[pontiac nino]

How about 20-25 mph cruise? 2nd or 3rd?
Since it's a steady cruise I keep it at 3rd, whatever lowers the rpm's.

['98 BlackBird]

My automatic cruises at about 2500 rpm at 75mph

[Denis]

Originally posted by Flowbee V6:
That seems logical and thats what I do but I heard some convincing arguments against 5th gear :shrugs shoulders:

What are they?

[LD]

that the engine is working harder even though the rpms are lower
something about using more of the gas pedal in a higher gear and making it use more gas
accelerating I can see, cruising no
I dont buy it
lower rpms = better mpg

[ka50]

there's no need to go over 2000-2200 rpm in our cars.

But yeh, going 55 is better on 5-th.

[memphis_raines]

Originally posted by '98 BlackBird:
My automatic cruises at about 2500 rpm at 75mph

Same here. Mine will hold 75 at about 2250-2300.

There's no need for crusing at 50-55 anyway, unless you're going through a 40-45 zone [img]graemlins/naughty.gif[/img]