Best cruising RPM? Best speed for max MPG?
Dec 16, 2004, 06:56 PM
#1
Best cruising RPM? Best speed for max MPG?
What are you peoples thoughts on best cruising RPM for max MPG as well as speed? I am going to be making a 10 hour trip next week and want to know where would be the best place to keep my RPM? 3000? 3500? I'll be going about 80-85 MPH the whole way (except in Oregon 
) Thanks.
) Thanks.
Last edited by Z_Lancer_Man; Dec 18, 2004 at 04:10 PM.
Dec 17, 2004, 12:41 AM
#2
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Staying around 65 in fifth gear seems to be the best on mileage from what I've found. Anytime I go over 70 for an extended period my mileage drops off a bit. On a tank of gas doing mainly highway miles @ 65 I usually average well over 300miles per tank.
Besides, at 80-85 mph, you don't want to be cruising in any other gear than fifth. If you're worried about mileage, best just keep a steady speed and keep it in fifth.
Besides, at 80-85 mph, you don't want to be cruising in any other gear than fifth. If you're worried about mileage, best just keep a steady speed and keep it in fifth.
Dec 17, 2004, 07:46 AM
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Most cars are designed to acheive maximum fuel economy at around 60 mph (the way the gearing/RPM is set up, etc.)
Once you get into the 80-85 mph range, your MPG will go down (naturally - higher RPMs).
If you want to buy the least gas, keep it closer to 60-65. But if you're like me, you'll drive 80-85 because you want to get there sooner.
Once you get into the 80-85 mph range, your MPG will go down (naturally - higher RPMs).
If you want to buy the least gas, keep it closer to 60-65. But if you're like me, you'll drive 80-85 because you want to get there sooner.
Dec 17, 2004, 07:48 AM
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[QUOTE=McCow]Staying around 65 in fifth gear seems to be the best on mileage from what I've found. Anytime I go over 70 for an extended period my mileage drops off a bit. On a tank of gas doing mainly highway miles @ 65 I usually average well over 300miles per tank. QUOTE]
damn i want 300 miles per tank...my average is like 245 miles =( ...but stop and go traffic loves me =/
damn i want 300 miles per tank...my average is like 245 miles =( ...but stop and go traffic loves me =/
Dec 17, 2004, 02:54 PM
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hahah finally an area of my expertise since I drive home from college ALOT... well heres the think watch those RPMs cause theres a dramatic lost in gas milage as soon as you hit say ~81-82 mph. aslong as you keep the rpms below say 3300 you're doing pretty good. Ive done a few trips keeping steady at 3000 rpms but thats just to slow. Id cruise right at 79 mph. Better gas milage and less chance of a ticket. Only goind 9 over the limit greatly reduces the odds of getting pulled over and if you do the fines way cheaper and no points. Just alittle FYI 
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Dec 17, 2004, 04:21 PM
#9
Originally Posted by wingnut17
damn, i'm averaging about 420 miles per tank. mainly highway. on city streets, i'm usually about 340 a tank.
Dec 17, 2004, 06:11 PM
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I run my car until my light comes on, once my light comes on, then i run it for 70 more miles then i fill up. i usually end up having to put in about 12.5 gallons. i calculate my mpg every tank. I'm usually between 36.5 to 37.5 mpg. The best i've gotten is 39.752 mpg. That was 500.9 miles on 12.600 gallons. i live west of pittsburgh. its mostly all highway miles and i drive with cruise set at 65 mostly. I'm just lucky I guess.
Dec 17, 2004, 06:18 PM
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z lancer u should of kept that piggyback you sold to me...i get about 330-360 a tank with a mix of highway and city...and i dirve about 80-85 on the highway....
Dec 17, 2004, 11:23 PM
#14
If you plan on driving 80-85 mph, you don't really get a choice. I think that puts you around 3500 in 5th gear, and definitely don't want to drop down to 4th. Slightly related, I get an average of about 28-32 mpg shifting at 3500 and cruising around 3000. I used to shift around 3000, and got a few mpg less. I'm not a lead foot, but I'm definitely not getting 35+ like some of these guys.
Oh, and for what it's worth, I got less than 10 mpg driving 120 mph from Los Angeles to Tuscon, so what they say about wind resistance and the car's efficiency must be true!
Oh, and for what it's worth, I got less than 10 mpg driving 120 mph from Los Angeles to Tuscon, so what they say about wind resistance and the car's efficiency must be true!
Dec 17, 2004, 11:32 PM
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i find that if i wanna cruise doin 80-90mph for a trip to vegas or something, if i run 91 octain and add an octain booster like STP and also happen to be running a synthetic oil, i get waaaay better gas mileage at higher rpms due to burning cleaner, that or its all in my head, your call
