Avg Mpg
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Avg Mpg
Not that anyone really worries about mpg with a vette but it seems the like the 95 6 speed I had got way better gas mileage than the 94 auto that I got now. Not sure if it is just me or what.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 829
Likes: 192
1) There is less power loss via manual trans vs automatic. With the manual trans, available power and TQ at rear wheels is greater at equal engine loads when compared to the automatic.
2) In most cases, the final drive ratio is higher with a 6spd manual vs 4spd automatic, meaning the engine will have lower RPM at cruise speeds.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Couple of reasons for that.
1) There is less power loss via manual trans vs automatic. With the manual trans, available power and TQ at rear wheels is greater at equal engine loads when compared to the automatic.
2) In most cases, the final drive ratio is higher with a 6spd manual vs 4spd automatic, meaning the engine will have lower RPM at cruise speeds.
1) There is less power loss via manual trans vs automatic. With the manual trans, available power and TQ at rear wheels is greater at equal engine loads when compared to the automatic.
2) In most cases, the final drive ratio is higher with a 6spd manual vs 4spd automatic, meaning the engine will have lower RPM at cruise speeds.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
on my 90, everyday, city/highway, average is somewhere in the 15-17 mpg range (dashboard indicated). best highway mileage, MAYBE 24 mpg. anyway, all my C4's compared to my C3, are economy cars - 
bottom line, when it needs gas, it NEEDS gas!
bottom line, when it needs gas, it NEEDS gas!
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 8
From: Clemson SC
Interesting variability, my base '88 DRM automatic Vette usually gets around 18 in town and local short trips - not really city driving but then goes to 24-27 highway depending on speed and how many hills. It gets the 27 on level ground at 60 mph or so. Of course, I can also get down to less than 10 mpg if I work it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
My 95 M6 gets 18 city/highway. If it is strictly freeway I can move that up to 28.8 That is typical of 1400-1600 mile round trip from SF Bay area to Seattle (up over the mountains) or to the LA area.
My 85 auto (3.07 gears) with the built ZZ4 and cam would get a honest 30 for the same trips. And the 85 kicks the *** of my 95!
My 85 auto (3.07 gears) with the built ZZ4 and cam would get a honest 30 for the same trips. And the 85 kicks the *** of my 95!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 214
Likes: 6
From: West Valley City UT
Very interesting numbers everyone is throwing out, i'm getting 28-29mpg in the vette with highway and city driving. 15 miles of city, 30 miles of highway. every morning and evening to and from work.
City driving I average 24, i've had the car for 11 years, when i had it at 21 I got maybe 10-12 mpg, but now that I know how to drive properly i get fantastic mileage. It's all about shift points and throttle control, and I don't drag race numb nuts on the streets, i keep racing for the track.
City driving I average 24, i've had the car for 11 years, when i had it at 21 I got maybe 10-12 mpg, but now that I know how to drive properly i get fantastic mileage. It's all about shift points and throttle control, and I don't drag race numb nuts on the streets, i keep racing for the track.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 3
From: Souderton Pa.
What kind of speeds are you guys cruising at? Roof on/off?
I just started driving my Vette again this year, she was down for the last couple of years. So I've been keeping an eye on my mpg just to see how she does.
Overall I've been averaging @ 20.1mpg with mixed driving, mostly highway back & forth to work. I have a 95, auto with 2.59 rear end. I drive with the roof off as often as possible and my speeds are quite spirited at times.
I'm going to try to drive more conservatively for my next tank of gas to see how my mpg's go. So far since my last fill, I managed to hit a high of 22mpg, but that was short lived with my local driving the last couple of days, I'm back to my 20.7 range.
I just started driving my Vette again this year, she was down for the last couple of years. So I've been keeping an eye on my mpg just to see how she does.
Overall I've been averaging @ 20.1mpg with mixed driving, mostly highway back & forth to work. I have a 95, auto with 2.59 rear end. I drive with the roof off as often as possible and my speeds are quite spirited at times.
I'm going to try to drive more conservatively for my next tank of gas to see how my mpg's go. So far since my last fill, I managed to hit a high of 22mpg, but that was short lived with my local driving the last couple of days, I'm back to my 20.7 range.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 82
Likes: 10
From: St. Louis Missouri
If I drive conservatively on the highway, my city/hwy average is a little above 20 mpg. When I picked up the car on the East Coast and drove it back to the Midwest, I averaged over 30 mpg! That being said, my driving habits keep driving that mpg average lower and lower.
I think the best perk of the LS swap is that your mpg gauge no longer works. I can't help but check it now, but I'd happily lose that reminder of the crappy gas mileage I'm getting. Ignorance is bliss.
I think the best perk of the LS swap is that your mpg gauge no longer works. I can't help but check it now, but I'd happily lose that reminder of the crappy gas mileage I'm getting. Ignorance is bliss.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach VA
Thanks I will have to check into that. I can only assume they have never been changed but have no idea.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
To refill the coolant I just jack up the right rear to get the air out. That save you finding the two bleeders and the risk of getting your opti wet.
Last edited by antfarmer2; Jul 8, 2015 at 09:33 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,692
Likes: 349
From: Sacramento California
My dashboard average is 22.5, which covers about 5000 miles including a 1600 mile highway road trip. My actual calculated mileage on fuelly (http://www.fuelly.com) is 19.5.
When I picked the car up in Redding, I reset the fuel economy meter before heading out. The trip back to Sacramento was about 97% highway and the dash average showed 28.5 on arrival. Probably closer to 27 in real MPG but it's still pretty good.
When I picked the car up in Redding, I reset the fuel economy meter before heading out. The trip back to Sacramento was about 97% highway and the dash average showed 28.5 on arrival. Probably closer to 27 in real MPG but it's still pretty good.