GT with automatic trans and gas mileage

[coopj40]

I have a question about the GTs with the auto trans. At what speed does your transmission shift into 4th gear? My transmission shifts into 4th at 40 MPH or above.
If I am at 35 to 40 MPH the car is in 3ed and the thing is tacking over 2000 RPMs. If this is common to all GTs then this could explain why the gas mileage is so bad. If you drive on roads below 40 MPH then the car never shifts into overdrive. You can check the gear the car is in by shifting into autostick mode and seeing what gear it is in by looking on the dash. Right now I am testing a tank of gas by shifting only with autostick mode and trying to shift into 4th at around 30 to 35 MPH. this keeps the RPMs down and should save some fuel.

[purple04]

41TE transaxle speed in gears @ 1500 RPM should be L(first)=20 MPH, 3(really 2nd)=30 MPH, 3 (direct)=45 MPH, OD=30 MPH, OD (with TCC) 45 MPH.
Notice that at low RPM, there is a 15 MPH slip in the torque converter?
While keeping the RPMs low is a good basic plan, it is not the only factor. Load is also involved. You could connect a vacuum gauge to monitor, but the computer is pretty darn good at getting the best mileage. As others have said, the reason for the GT is power, not economy. Have you checked the alignment, pumped up the tires and all the other stuff they tell you to do for best economy?

[SteelBlueGT]

Also what is considered bad fuel mileage? I get around 18 in heavy city driving close to 20 in around town free flowing traffic and 24 on highways and freways. On premium gas I guess for a small car this is not great but I would not say it is terrible.

[pthammer]

Stay OFF THE PEDAL, take easy on the starts from the stop signs, ease around anyone you are passing. I have driven Turbo charged trucks (18wheelers) and have a GT with Stage I. Our main problems are how we drive. I can get as good of mileage as long as it is not just plain over fueled. If you don't think so, get out of you GT and drive a 150hp and see how you feel. With Stage I I get 21 to 22 as regular as clock work (city) except in the winter and 25 to 28 on the highway depending whether I drive 65 or 75. You don't have to push on the throttle very hard to be passing everything else. OH! 96mph and 14.5 sec. in a 1/4 mile and I have the track tickets to prove it and dyno at 267hp and 270lbs of trq (sorry plugs have 23,000 miles on them. By the way go weigh your Cruiser you will be surprised it is a very heavy car, about 800lbs heavier than a Neon. Damn!! I LOVE MY GT!!![8)]

[Gary04GT]

quote:Originally posted by SteelBlueGT

Also what is considered bad fuel mileage?...

My 2004 GT (Autostick) highway gas mileage prior to installing, STAGE 1, BOV, and "Brand X" AMX1397 Turbo to Air Box Pipe was somewhere between 22-26 mpg. Now, with over 13K miles on my car the highway fuel economy (without Cruise Control on, no AC, speeds of 55-80mph, and a few WOT's thrown in for good measure) has increased to 24-30mpg. Around town and in rural areas I usually get between 16 to 20 mpg.

[Mr Mopar]

Its how you drive - believe me. My wife drove our 03 GT auto for 1.5 years and *consistently* got 29-30mpg every tank (80% hwy/20% city)

My job location changed and we now drive together - so I drive most of the time. Mileage has dropped to 22-25mpg. I drive a little faster on the hwy and I do a small bit of city driving during the day.

Just look at the rpms - at 100km/hr - it is turning 2500rpm. At 120-130 it is almost 3000rpm.

But boy - it sure is hard to slow down, ain't it [8)]

Trevor

[2step]

I order to get the trans all the way into 4th (overdrive), you MUST lift off the gas pedal a bit after getting up to the cruising speed. If you stay on the gas pedal, even a little, the trans won't shift into 4th.

My GT with my driving style = 18.50 combo city & highway. [8)]

[coopj40]

You know I got everything but an answer to my question. At what speed does your transmission shift into 4th gear? Thats all I asked. When I drive around town and the speed limit is below 40 MPH the car is in 3ed gear. I want to know if this is normal or do I have something wrong with my car? I have a carravan with a V6 and 150 HP and this thing is in forth at about 30- 35 MPH if I cruise slow so how come the PT doesn`t do the same thing? Oh yea don`t tell me about takeing it eazy I am 46 and know how to squeak out MPG out of a car.

[budrzgt]

hey

just went out and test drove mine 03GT with stage one kit. mine will upshift into 4th gear around 40mph when just cruisin in town speeds. hope this helps out BUD.

[SteelBlueGT]

Just took my 03 Gt on a little cruise to San Diego and yes it does shift into 4th between 37 and just under 40 mph. By 40 mph it was in 4th gear. Mine shifts so quietly that it is hard to tell the precise mph that it does go into 4th.