Ask the Car People.SM


Why so few economy cars with manual tranny?

301 messages,  Last post on Aug 08, 2008 at 10:19 AM

You are in the Toyota Corolla Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Toyota ECHO, Sedan

Messages Page 31 of 31

#292 of 301 09 Corolla LE by cpu8900

Aug 03, 2008 (9:42 am)

I've had the car about 2 months with 2500 carefree miles.
 
Likes:
- 40 mpg avg. with a/c on.
- Smooth ride and handles well.
- Roomy trunk and comfortable seats
 
Dislike:
 
- The electric steering sometimes feels vague at 65 mph....and it's harder to keep the car centered in the lane compared to my Mailbu.
- The need to push through all the items on the computer to check either time, avg. mpg, etc.

#293 of 301 Re: Manual VS Automatic MPG [cpu8900] by hoopitup2000

Aug 03, 2008 (10:07 am)

Replying to: cpu8900 (Aug 03, 2008 9:31 am)
Good thing he is retired; because he is wrong!! The EPA ratings apply to the "average" driver; not to the skilled driver who can manipulate a manual on pure instinct.(More so in the city) Many drivers with a manual are always in race mode. I hear them all the time riding around in low gear with their aftermarket performance exhaust systems. They don't give a rat's a_ _ about fuel economy. That is the type of driver your retired mechanic is speaking of. A manual can be a lot better than an automatic; at the same time it can be a lot worse. From my observations, about 75% of the drivers on the road are average or below average.(Especially here in DC)

#294 of 301 oil filter by kneisl1

Aug 03, 2008 (12:40 pm)

Yes thats the "green" suposedly oil filter that the Saturn Ion also had. What a JOKE! Its a royal PITA and not "green" at all. Be very carefull you insect it for leaks when you change the oil and also check it for leaks like a week later. If it leaks there goes your engine.

#295 of 301 09 Corolla Oil Filter by cpu8900

Aug 04, 2008 (9:53 am)

Yeah, I think I'll give my service manager a call to see
if this new filter system has any torque specs. for the
canister since it uses an O ring so the proper compression is critical to prevent leaks.....as an old
auxiliaryman aboard nuclear subs I can relate to how
these seals work.

#296 of 301 Re: Manual VS Automatic MPG [cpu8900] by nippononly

Aug 04, 2008 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: cpu8900 (Aug 03, 2008 9:31 am)
The converse is that most of your in-town driving occurs with the torque converter slipping in an automatic, while a clutch is never slipping unless it's defective. So there is no power bleed-off, turned to heat in the TC.
 
I have actually owned 2 cars of the same model with the same engine, one was a manual, the other was an automatic (long story). Despite being rated only one point better, the manual averages 4-5 points better than my automatic did, with my driving. Same driving pattern, living in the same area, commuting to the same job. The manual will always do notably better for anyone who doesn't have the racer mentality hoopitup describes, and especially for folks who are concentrating on saving gas.

#297 of 301 Re: The manual will always win!! [hoopitup2000] by slowlearner1

Aug 06, 2008 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: hoopitup2000 (Jun 06, 2008 3:45 am)
I always keep in the highest gear with heavy foot going uphill...so I was interested in the article that would prove this is a correct method. However, there is no mention of this in the "TEN TIPS FOR FUEL TEMPERENCE". I have included the link. Maybe it was a different article...or maybe I missed it...
 
http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/112_0609_ten_tips_for_fuel_temperanc- - e/index.html
 
I just bought an 09 Corolla and drove an extra 260 miles to get the stick. I believe autos are getting better, but I like the contol of a manual...and what I percieve as better mpg.

#298 of 301 09 Corolla Oil Filter by cpu8900

Aug 07, 2008 (10:34 am)

You can buy the SST (special service tool) needed to remove the oil filter from the dealer for the princely sum of $40. It's nothing more than a 10 sided oil filter wrench that fits over the end of the filter cannister. In the center it has a 1/2" drive ratchet attachment for turning.
 
There is a torque spec. for reassembly that's printed on the SST.......I think it says 5 ft. lbs.
 
The filter element costs about $6.95 and is available only from the dealer since none of the auto parts stores have it yet.

#299 of 301 Re: The manual will always win!! [slowlearner1] by hoopitup2000

Aug 07, 2008 (4:05 pm)

Replying to: slowlearner1 (Aug 06, 2008 2:15 pm)
It's right there in B&W. Look at #6
 
6. Floor It to Save Gas
Cracking the throttle wide open reduces pumping losses and improves efficiency, but only at low revs (2000 and below), which means this works only on manual-transmission cars or manumatics that won't downshift. It also won't work on turbocharged or supercharged engines. But for all the others, using full throttle and shifting early (so you're not accelerating any harder) is the smart bet.

#300 of 301 Re: The manual will always win!! [hoopitup2000] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 08, 2008 (10:10 am)

Replying to: hoopitup2000 (Aug 07, 2008 4:05 pm)
That's also a great (but controversial) way to break in a new engine...low RPM flooring of the throttle. I did that on my manual Scion xA and it was one peppy little engine after 5,000 miles. It's an old motorcycle trick.

#301 of 301 Re: The manual will always win!! [hoopitup2000] by slowlearner1

Aug 08, 2008 (10:19 am)

Replying to: hoopitup2000 (Aug 07, 2008 4:05 pm)
OK I get it now. I was looking more for something about "uphill" but now I see the implication. Good to know since I have a hill I drive up everyday that is exactly in this scenario. There's a stoplight at the bottom, so I can't build speed and plenty of hill left when I reach 5th gear, but a 40mph speed limit.
 
I'll keep giving it the gas in 5th gear at 40mph.

Messages Page 31 of 31

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement