[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Here's a thread I started about how the EPA testing procedure handicaps manual transmissions:

>> Shift points: EPA testing of manual transmissions (why beating MT ratings is easier)

Your post was inconclusive of how EPA shift points are determined. If provided by the manufacturer, I would expect them to recommend points most favorable to achieving great fuel economy.

My anecdote comes from driving a 5-speed manual 1996 Subaru Legacy with 2.4L engine. I was averaging somewhere around 28 MPG. For the 1 month I owned a 2007 Subaru Outback 2.5L automatic, it only got 24 MPG, and that was with me trying pretty hard to get good fuel economy.

My Acura 6-speed manual gets fairly bad fuel economy on the freeway because the gearing is stupid compared to the automatic. I get better fuel economy in stop and go gridlock traffic by basically idling the engine, allowing a gap to open up when traffic speeds up, and the gap to close as traffic comes to a stop.