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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
My old '94 Ranger hadthe synchros go out of the manual tranny around 110k miles. You used to be able to outdo an auto with a manual transmission and the talent to drive one. But the computer can do the math for you much faster. I shouldn't be surprised the autos are starting to get better mileage. Now if they'll just start using diesels or better fuel efficient engines!!
Example - '05 Ford Expedition driving on I29 into a 30+ mph head wind knocked the mileage down to the high 12's, low 13's. Man, that sucked!! I was so pissed seeing that mileage and remembering the idiot salesguy respond to my question about a diesel engine in it: "Why would you want that?"
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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
The synchros in my 98 were feeling balky, which is why I was looking in junkyards for a new tranny. I figured to have one rebuilt and then do a swap in a day. Haven't found one yet but the syncros are behaving better now. I drive like a grandma and change transmission fluid every 15k miles so there's no excuse for this. I've been driving sticks my whole life and never lost a transmission yet, but this might be the first. Wish I could afford a new truck right now, but it will have to wait until the tractor is paid off in six months.
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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
"it will have to wait until the tractor is paid off in six months."
I hear ya Ken. Same here but more like 24 months. My 98 F150 now has 209K with no problems. I'm shooting for 300K.
Do you really change transmission fluid every 15K? You are talking about a manual aren't you?
Dave
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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
Yep, every 15k miles. I do it because I know this transmission is weak and because there is a flaw in the way the case is sealed. On top of the transmission there are three rubber plugs that can dry up and leak. Here in Oregon it rains all the time and I worry that water will get into it through those plugs so transmission fluid is cheap insurance. Some guys pull the transmission and pound in freeze plug discs to replace the rubber plugs but I just change the fluid frequently.
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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
Re fuel economy - When you want something done accurately every time - get a computer to do it - they dont make decisions and dont have moods - they just follow a set of instructions. The instructions may not be completely appropriate every time but 95% of the time they are. Also how many of us know exactly where (on the rev counter) you get the best fuel economy in each gear - the on board computer does, its monitoring that stuff all the time.
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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
Actually Ann, if you know at what rpm your engine produces the max. torque, that is the sweet spot for fuel economy. For my truck it's 2800 rpms, slightly under 65 mph.
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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
Ever driven an automatic that is constantly hunting for the right gear? Or an automatic that waits a few seconds to downshift when you punch the throttle? Most irritating. The computer cannot always do it best in the real world. It cannot know what the drivers intent is. The programmer can bias the code for performance or economy, but not both at the same time. On the other hand most drivers know when they need to punch it and also when to back off. Until our cars are totally computer operated it will always be a compromise.
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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
kwschumm - the computer is only as good as it's programming. Vehicles today are designed as a compromise because the single program has to work in a vehicle whether it's being driven in January in a Canadian province or in August through the Mexican deserts. Hence, the nice aftermarket programing changes for things like towing, fuel economy, etc.
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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
Yep, it's a compromise no doubt. A programmer can build some adaptability in - if the budget and schedule allows and the cpu resources and necessary inputs are available. Pointy headed managers and bean counters often prevent this. As a programmer I know all about them 
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Automatic Better Economy Than Manual
OK - But as stated earlier the automatic STILL gets better fuel economy on average, so not withstanding all the programmer biases and other objections raised, the computer still beats a human as a gear shifter for this objective.
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12-05-2005, 12:26 
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