Does anybody else's fuel gauge needle go like a half inch past the full sign?

I also feel like I get sh*t gas mileage, the needle usually stays around there for a while, and starts to drop faster when less gas is left. Could this be related?

and question number three...whats a good speed to be going to save gas on the highway, in a 4 speed auto

 

That's completely normal. Drive around all day with with the needle past the F, start the car in the morning and it's at 3/4. It's a bit disappointing. Makes you feel like you're getting amazing mileage, then crap. From what I've HEARD, 55 is the most efficient speed.

 

figured, thanks

 

55mph is about as fast as you can go before your fuel economy plummets into free fall. 30mph in 5th is where the sweet spot is

 

This is all relative. I drive 75 to 80 on the highway and get 28-30mpg, exactly as promised when I bought the car.

And the fuel gauge has acted like that in every car I have driven.

 

28-30 is nothing to write home about, bro. And I doubt you're getting 30mpg pushing the car into the 4k RPM range on the highway.

 

so true...

@vlad- 28 to 30 mpg?hard to believe at that speed..i swear it seems like i only get 20 nowadays and i never push my car,i seriously drive like a grandma.i dont get it.

 

I go 60-65 on the hwy and it seems to waste more gas that way. But when i drive faster i get better gas milge! WTH?!

 

Im content with 28-30 I think its good....

 

speed has noting to do with it, is about load in a gear, 60-65 is bad mileage for us since its one of those gray areas in the gears so cruising at 60 in 4th would use less gas than in fifth just cause you have to use more throttle to keep that speed in 5th. Once you hit 75+ fifth is more relaxed and with cruise control on you can get great mileage.

Im not sure on the automatic, but autos are horrible for going into the highest gear they can which is horrid for gas mileage.

 

You have a heavy ___ foot. My commute is 110 miles(round trip), 95% highway. I never get below 27.5 and generally get 28.5.

@serith 1)i'm not bragging, merely stating that the car works as advertised. 2) 80mph is 3700rpm. And 3) I specified a range, I rarely get thirty but never get below 28.

 

Yea but you drive stick, you have that extra gear. Us auto guys are pushing 4k rpms' at around 70mph

 

4k at 80 in a 5 spd. Boost helps your gas mileage You can set your AFR to whatever you want! I get 24+ easy around town toying with it here and there. They don't have the power factory to remain efficient at higher speeds. I drove my car N/A about a year before turbo and it's pretty pathetic at highway speeds. Just my opinion though. Every car/driver/altitude/gas quality is different so it's a gamble.

 

sorry for my ignorance. And by the way, that extra gear is pretty bad(we need a 6th).

rangerryda:I'm pretty sure we don't hit 4k until 85.

 

Unfortunately just having an extra gear doesn't mean it will be better. Look at the Civic Si. It has a "close ratio 6 speed", and it rev's just as high as our car on the highway

It's absurd that our car revs so high in 5th.

 

I've consistently been getting 30 mpg for the last few months and I drive between 65 and 75 on the highway..

 

I sort of implied that we need an extra gear that would make it better. and the civic's engine makes no power at low rpm's. The camry we got as a rental(2az) turns pretty slowly at highway speeds(low 2's).

 

Who cares if your car makes no power in it's final gear? If you want power, downshift.

 

I'll be trading in my tC for a 6 spd 350z in a couple of months.

 

i drive at 65mph 3k rpms in my 06 5spd and average 23 to 26 mpg's i have no problems with that