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rpms to shift for best fuel economy

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Old 10-01-2003, 07:31 PM
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rpms to shift for best fuel economy

at what rpm ranges do people usually shift at to get the best fuel economy? i average about 280 miles per tank (13 gallons) since my gas light goes on around there. thanks guys

-law
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Old 10-01-2003, 08:59 PM
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oh sorry about that, i have a 2003 wrx. the best ive got is about 310 on 13 gallons, this was back then during the break in period. i shift at no higher than 2.5k rpm and i dont go any faster than 70 but now on avg i get about 250~300 on 13~14 gallons.
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Old 10-02-2003, 09:24 AM
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Talking 6500-7000 is the best.

You burn the gas way more efficently at these RPM's + you get to the stations quicker
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Old 10-02-2003, 09:51 AM
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Well. I had a simular question and i sent it to subaru and this is what I got back. (note that I drive mostly on the interstates and get 27-28MPG)

I asked them this 2 years ago and dont have the e-mail response but this was how it went.

Gents, I know that every engine has a horsepower curve and a torque curve. Theses are posted after every dyno run. At what RPM does the EJ20 from a 2002 WRX become most efficient? do you have a RPM vs fuel consumption under load curve that you could look at ?
They replied at about 3000 RPMs

Now I know that my question with "load" was kinda vauge

And 3000 RPMs = 75MPH

Also I get 1MPG better with the windows closed and the airconditioner on vs air off and windows open

If you want excellent fuel economy do it this way:

1- If your "seat of the pants dyno" is working, your giving it too much throttle
2-If you engine is singing, your RPMs are too high
3-If your engine is lugging, your fuel is being wasted
4- If your RPMs are too low, either your old or you should have bought a hyundi
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Old 10-03-2003, 05:32 AM
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When you're cruising at lower speeds is it better to use a higher gear and let the boost handle the power requirements or use a lower gear and let the high RPM's handle it - the way you would on a non-turbo'd car?
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Old 10-03-2003, 08:19 AM
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If your letting the boost handle the power requirements then you are lugging the motor...
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Old 10-03-2003, 01:42 PM
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You have to include how you're pressin' the gas pedal before the 3k mark too. If you're floorin' it (even though it feels like it doesn't move that much still), before the 3k's. You're burnin' more gas then if you were easily gettin' on the gas.
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Old 10-03-2003, 01:58 PM
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I have a 2004 and average about 240. Mostly city driving, not too crazy either.
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Old 10-03-2003, 10:41 PM
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I am getting 300+ miles before I fill up now... I fill up at 1/4 of a tank or a LITTLE bit below... Most of it is crossed with city and highway... (31 miles to and from work each way)

When I know I am filling up that day I let the engine have fun :-).. meaning I drive it the way the car wants to be driven.... When I first fill up I drive it like a damn old person..lol

I've never raced in my car. I don't plan on racing my friends until a stage two from turbo XS (of course on abanodend roads where there are no houses/people, none of that street racing crap!). Although I have gone 110mph on the turnpike because I was late by 30 minutes to an interview... The car handled very nice actually... that was surprising right after my break in period..hehehe

I very rarely take it up to 5 or 6k rpm... The MAJORITY of the time I am shifting before 3500 rpm. Only when I want to hear the engine is when it goes up more.. One thing that is cool, when you are in 3rd gear (at least for me) and you start to slow down, problably to like 20 mph or something along the lines of that... you hear the engine or exhaust... get really loud... I like that a lot...heheeh Anytime I can be in third gear and not have to shift down just so I can hear it sound like I have an exhaust is really cool, until I get a turbo back...

-Nigel
-Nigel
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Old 10-06-2003, 08:01 AM
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worst is about 130 with full tank best was 340 when in break-in period and highway miles, now the best is around 220-210
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