Scion XA in PA

[greenwar]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hello,

I just wish there was a sixth gear...2,000RPM at 55mph and 2,500RPM at 65mph would be great. If anybody knows if the Yaris has a different final drive ratio, or if it has a different transmission -- or both, PLEASE let us know?

At least 75% if the time I just shift from third to fifth. Fifth is perfect for 40-45mph IMO.

Welcome to the forum!

Regarding the Yaris vs Xa, I think the Xa is more sport oriented with a higher ration axle possibly close to 4 than the Yaris. Yaris also has a taller gear ratio (still looking for gear ratio comparison). So even though both has the same drivetrain, Yaris wins the fuel consumption race.

Yaris Gear Ratio: Toyota FWD transmission named C54: (wikipedia)

3.545
1.904
1.392
1.031
0.864
3.250 reverse
Final Drive ratio: 3.72 (yahoo auto)

Scion Xa:
(source: http://www.toyoland.com/car-reviews/...fications.html)

1st 3.545
2nd 1.904
3rd 1.310
4th 0.969
5th 0.815
Reverse 3.250
Differential Ratio 4.312

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

That's perfect -- thanks for the info!

So, it looks like the xA has an "overdrive" 4th and 5th gear, a slightly taller 3rd gear, and they both have the same 1st & 2nd gears -- so the xA's high revs are due to the low ratio final drive?

The question that pops into my mind is -- can one get the Yaris final drive and just bolt it in; or change out the gears?

[goodblues]

Confirmed the 2800 RPM at 55. Since I don't drive "sporty" I would prefer the Yaris final ratio too, but it is an lot better then the Dodge Caravan I drove on my commute for several years. Its probably swappable, but I wonder how far out the payoff is to have it done. Closer and closer as prices go up. Sounds like a job for a spreadsheet.

[whokilledthejams]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hello,

I just wish there was a sixth gear...2,000RPM at 55mph and 2,500RPM at 65mph would be great. If anybody knows if the Yaris has a different final drive ratio, or if it has a different transmission -- or both, PLEASE let us know?

At least 75% if the time I just shift from third to fifth. Fifth is perfect for 40-45mph IMO.

The Toyota Echo has the same transmission and gearing as the Yaris as well.

It's also possible to squeeze in the 6 speed from the Celica GTS/MR2/Corolla XRS/Matrix XRS/Vibe GT, but that takes some creative fabrication. The engine will bolt up, but actually shoehorning it into the car requires modifying the engine cradle and transmission mounts.

But anyway, welcome! I too just joined, and suffer from overly tall gearing. The biggest problem with the xA/xB transmission is that 4th and 5th are too close together. I'd be happier with a taller 5th gear-- turning lower RPM at cruising speeds, while not sacrificing otherwise adequate acceleration would be nice.

[Johnny Mullet]

Welcome! I am also originally from Central PA, but now live in Ohio and still work in Western PA (see Signature) and love this place!

Enjoy your stay!

[yakfishingfool]

I also have an Xa, 2006 spec 3 number 1070. My first tank of "mixed driving" and I just figured it our to be about 44.8 mpg's. I think I can really hit 50 staying locally. My scanguage II ships on Monday. Scott

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

That's great mileage! My best (so far) is 43.5mpg, and I've averaged 37 or so for the three years I've had mine. (Though my duct tape on the upper grill mod-test is looking like I could hit 45mpg!)

What kind of tires are on yours?

[yakfishingfool]

factory round

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

Originally Posted by yakfishingfool

factory round

Yes...are they the Bridgestone, or Goodyear, or...? What kind of driving gets you 44+mpg? Do you have the manual or automatic transmission?

[Edit: I got 45.53mpg on my last tankful! This is the first full tank while I have the upper grill covered with duct tape -- my temporary test mod; I'm planning to use some black vinyl material to do a little better looking method of improving the air flow drag on my xA.]

[goodblues]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Greetings,

though now that I have duct taped the upper grill opening (the RS 2.0 has a unique open honeycomb grill), the current tankful is on track to beat that!

Neil,

Are you going to try a run taping over the lower grill opening instead of the upper one? My thought was to run a coroplast sheet over it at a test and see how it goes. How does the coolant temp run with the tape over the upper opening? Any results yet as far as potential performance improvement?

Thanks....