DanW
Well-Known Member
It is more complicated than it appears. The highway mileage may be generated at a more efficient rpm range for the engine, while the city cycle may have it more often running at rpms where it is less efficient. Driving style is a huge variable, too. You can do a lot with hypermiling in a manual, especially if you know the right gear and right rpm for certain speeds. For example, it took me a good while to figure out that 5th gear at 45-50mph in my JK was better than 6th, which put it at a lower rpm. It is a small difference, but the 3.8 liked to be running at a little higher rpm at that speed. Of course, hills can play into it, too, and pace of acceleration. There are just many, many ways to play with a manual and get better mileage. An automatic doesn't give you as much ability to play around. However, the newest autos are VERY efficient and really hard to beat with a manual. It didn't used to be that way, but it is now.The wight impacts highway MPG but not city? Thats now how it works. It should be the reverse.
Telling you, something does not add up.
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