View Single Post
Old 12-09-2008, 11:51 AM   #25 (permalink)
metromizer
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NorCal
Posts: 451
Thanks: 1
Thanked 40 Times in 26 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1337 View Post
MazdaMatt-
Yeah, I do the same thing. I regularly drive at 30-35mph around town in 5th gear. I really want to install a taller 5th gear.
thanks god for modern fuel injection systems, you could never do that with an old carburated engine... it would buck and pop if you lugged it like that, from not enough vacuum signal.

In the last 2 months, I started to do about the same with my 3 cylinder metro, which has a factory shift advisory light in the dash, I shift about 5mph before the light comes on. Get this, I am in 2nd gear at 20ft from a standing stop, I'm in 4th gear at 30mph, shifting into top gear, 5th, at 40mph. My documented FE got better by about 2mpg driving this way <I burn about 18 gallons/wk, it's easy to see trends> I am sure if I did more in town driving I'd see a larger difference. I do wonder if I am contaminating my oil faster, though
  Reply With Quote