New at manual transmission -Tips to get best fuel efficiency
84The Basics
You would have already learned how to listen to the engine when it needs to down shift or up shift when needed. Or, you may have also been taught at what RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) in your Tachometer says you need to shift to another gear. With the RPM, it is not necessary to wait until its upper or lower limits is reached. You will know from the sound and 'feel' of the car when it needs to be shifted to another gear. Normally, the 1st and 2nd gears are used for uphill and downhill drives. For uphill, the engine runs faster to negotiate the climb but depends on the gradient or steepness of the climb. For downhill, the engine controls the speed with what is called 'engine brakes' so you won't need to apply on the brakes too frequently. You should also get the 'feel' of the car on both situations. What you feel and sense with the car is important. Not all cars with manual transmission have exactly the same response because of differences in power and gear ratios. Pickups and trucks have lower gear ratios and low-speed differentials. Meaning they are more equipped for their purpose. SUVs will have something similar to features of the drivetrain.
Practice Makes Perfect
Here are some pointers or guidelines that would help save on fuel or maximize economy in driving with Manual Transmission:
- Almost all cars or vehicles are now start and drive. No unnecessary warming or idling of the engine first.
- Avoid jump starts and sudden braking or stops.
- Put gear in neutral when in traffic stops or stop lights.
- Learn how to balance well the use of clutch and accelerator to prevent sudden jerks when shifting.
- Always use the highest possible gear under normal speed under normal weather and road conditions.
- Avoid using clutch and accelerator balance when stopping during an uphill climb. This uses up more gasoline and wears away clutch lining faster. (The clutch under strain could even give unpleasant smell or just give up)
- Turn off air-conditioning as much as possible especially if heat is bearable.
- When speeding up or slowing down is necessary, try to always do it very gently, except for emergency situations.
- Don't race or rev up the engine while on idle or standstill.
- Apply gentle pressure on brakes or several light 'taps' of the foot when slowing down and shift to the next lower gear, if called for.
- If possible, drive the car only on two preferred gears under road conditions it may be needed.
- Don't gun or rev the engine before shutting it down.
With the cost of fuel now, it may be impracticable to practice on your car. For practicing on the pedals and shifting, I used to do this when I was still learning to drive. Using three inverted 'flip-flops', I made them as the pedals of the car. An imaginary floor gearshifter and steering works with it. I replicated engine sounds with my 'hum' and coordinated it with the correct pedals to step on or release them.
I hope that what I shared here helps you to drive your manual transmission cars more economically. For other useful car tips in driving, repairing and maintaining, please check on my articles at:
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you'll definitely get better mileage in 5th gear. Also when you have to slow down, shift down, so you won't wear out your breaks.
Hi Shawna! When you get the 'feel' of your car, it is better to rely on it. You can actually feel when your car needs more, or less, to negotiate a specific road. That's why you will need to anticipate your next move especially when you're familiar with the road. 3rd and 4th gear will be good on roads you are not familiar with, taking it to 2nd gear at times when unsure of the road ahead. Too low an RPM will demand more fuel and air intake for the engine not to struggle. Thanks for finding my response helpful!
which is best, manual or automatic transmission?
Thanks vid_mantes! It really depends on the person driving. Personally, I prefer manual transmission because it is easier to maintain with a lot of action to give when driving.
Hi,
is there any fuel comsumption when engine is geared but the driver is not accelerating?? Suppose in 5th gear at an RPM of 2500/minutes downhill. No need to accelerate. Is there any fuel delivery in the engine or are only the wheels making the engine turn? Thanks. Thierry
Hi Thierry! Sorry for my very delayed response. As long as the engine is running there is fuel consumption.
it's actually not good to down-shift. though it may "save" your breaks it's a potential danger to you clutch. If done improperly, which is most of the time for most people, it will cost you in the long run. not to mention it also consumes more gas vs. putting it in neutral and breaking. when it's in neutral the engine revs at around 9,000 rpms or lower, if you're in a gear (esp. downshifting) you're going to rev higher than that, in the 2-3,000 if not higher depending on your speed and what gear you're in.
Petrol and diesel cars manufactured from 1990 onwards, are generally equipped with fuel injection combined with an electronic function that cuts off the engine's fuel supply under engine braking (accelerator released and a gear engaged.) ecodrive.org and Wikipedia.
You can tell most of you lot are in the US. What Liz and some others posted is BS and really shouldn't be giving out advice. The road wheels are driving the engine when using the gearbox to slow down where as coasting in neutral, the engine control unit has to supply fuel and air to maintain an idle. Manual transmission is the norm in Europe and any driving instructor here will tell you never to coast in neutral as you have less control. Anyone who advises otherwise doesn't know how to drive a manual properly. Use an appropriate gear, don't labour the engine by trying to make it pull 5th at 20 mph but use the highest possible gear that still gives a good throttle response. Use good observation and plan ahead, down shift to assist braking and get in the appropriate gear in good time and before you reach the corner or junction so you're ready to accelerate away and don't get bogged down trying to find a gear. Practice driving smoothly too.
Engine braking will not damage the clutch, or even put much wear on the clutch, and in the long run it will save you dollars. With an auto transmission, you normally run brake changes ever 2 or 3 years, with a manual you can get as long as 5 or 6 years out of a set of brakes, and your clutch should last over 10 years, most I've seen have lasted the life of the vehicle, upwards of 15 to 20 years. Clutch wheels on most modern vehicles are not much more expensive to buy and install than brake pads (pads for discs are more expensive than old drum pads).
Engine braking leaves the drive in control of the vehicle incase of emergency - Many manual drivers that do not engine brake are slowing the vehicle using their wheel brakes while in neutral, meaning your ability to control the vehicle quickly is compromised.
Engine braking does not burn extra fuel, as fuel injected vehicles have computers and sensors that cut fuel delivery when the engine is sustaining itself on momentum, for efficiency and emissions reasons.
Finally in my opinion, engine braking is inherently safer, as drivers behind me know that when my brake lights are on that I am stopping. Many automatic drivers that ride the brakes towards a stop keep their brake lights on, meaning if they go from light braking to heavy braking, there is no indication to drivers behind them that they are stopping quicker.
can a shelby 500 idle in neutral with foot off clutch
shawna.wilson 3 years ago
Thanks for the great tips. So, whenever possible, I should drive in 5th gear as long as it's within the speed limit? It's most efficient to keep the RPMs as low as possible too, right?