300mph

Is this MN6 really a 5-speed with 6th gear thrown in for the EPA.

For drag racing you never get out of 4th. Top speed is only attainable in 5th. On the highway 5th feels good for cruising. 6th only works good for coasting down hill. I think GM should call it a 4-speed with double overdrives. One that works and one that lugs the motor hard. Maybe a change of rear end gears would help tremendously.

johnodrake

Simple - Fuel Economy

I use 6th all the time - basically any time I am cruising over 60 MPH.

Armored Saint

Its good for 1500 rpm at 70mph. It is a mode of transportation after all.

Indy-hp

Hoonose

This motor does not lug with all it's low end torque and computer monitoring. I go to 6th gear for anything over about 45 mph on the flats. On highway runs the fuel mileage is improved and the ride is quieter in the highest gear.
But you are right the tranny is a double overdrive.

AFVETTE

Highway cruising to obtain max MPG. The LS2 has so much torque that Chevy can gear this car to run at freeway speeds and return great fuel mileage and not "bog" the motor. Many have reported 30 MPG and more on the highway with their C6's. C5's did even better (LS1 vs LS2). I know I could easily get 31+ MPG from both my 99 coupe and 03 Z06.

I've yet to break 29 MPG in my C6, but I'm sure I will as it breaks in.

Tom

300mph

I live in an area with only 2-lane highways. Speed limit is 55 mph and the leos are very heavy on the radar. Over 60 mph and you've been nailed. I've been driving for a week now and my 6th gear is still a virgin.

vette-oholic

I defintely use 6th when im cruising long distances on the highway and other roads without traffic lights where i can go 60

JVM225

djfullshred

Very beautiful area where you live...I'l have to remember what you said about the LEOs next time I am driving up there.

Down here in the Bay Area, 6th gear is frequently used by me, as the limit is 65, and most people cruise at 75 on the freeways. It saves on the gas big time time to have the tranny set up the way it is.

6spdC6

I do a lot of crusing and 6th will save a lot of gas.
FWIW I find 6th in the C6 has much more pep than my C5 did. You can pass vechcles and leave it in 6th. Must be the higher torque of the LS2 motor, but their is a difference.

SilverSurferC6

That is true and also because of the terrific torque the motor produces.

300mph

I will be traveling down to the Bay Area next week and I will have a chance to try out 6th gear. My big problem is that I've gotten used to a lower gear where you can keep your speed regulated on small hills with just a slight movement of the gas peddle. With a taller gear (or less hp like in my ricer) I have a tendency to start drifting below my cruising speed and going too slow before I realize it and then having to speed back up. Maybe more use of cruise control will help.

Yes, the beauty of the area is distracting sometimes. I can't remember the last time I drove between my house in Smith River and Crescent City and didn't see a LEO. We only have two highways in the county, 101 and 199, and they are patrolled heavily.

As an aside, I personally find it more unsafe to have to keep taking my eyes off the road to see who's behind me than just going 5-15 mph over the speed limit.

06C6Z

Fifth and sixth for crusing...1-4 for city driving.

whitesox05

And it is a reason why Chevy sells the Aveo. You need a certain percent of cars in your fleet to reach a good fuel economy otherwise you will be hit with penalties as a manufacturer by good old Uncle Sam...

The sixth gear also allows us consumers to avoid the gas guzzler tax.

Jeffthunbird

You don't need 6th. I have used it 3x in 8500 miles. Cruising 70mph +.

6spdC6

You dont need 5th either I had lots of cars with 4speeds.

Check the RPM differences at a steady speed in different gears and get back to us. I hate supporting oil companies.
OBTW I'm far from a slow driver. I need more power I can downshift real fast.

Works for me!

fenderowner

Once again, the virtue of choices: like others here, I use 6th gear quite frequently, in all types of driving environments. I'm glad you don't feel the need for it, but I am also glad it's there for those of us who do.

Wayne O

"What's 6th Gear For?

I assume this is a rhetorical question. Although I never use 5th or 6th gear for in-town driving....5th and 6th gear are great for freeway driving and those long Interstate trips. To be able to use 6th gear and (almost) idle along at 75mph getting 30+ mpg is wonderful. I have also driven uphill in 6th gear.

Vettlldo

I have yet to break 26 and sometimes nearing 27 with my '06 A6 w/6200 miles. Maybe I should get it dyno'd and dialed in like I did in my C5.

Ed