4 ms·

Yes, I had a manual transmission. I assumed your comments regarding "second or third gear" implied you had a manual transmission. Automatics have come a long wa

Yes, I had a manual transmission. I assumed your comments regarding "second or third gear" implied you had a manual transmission. Automatics have come a long way in the past few years in terms of fuel mileage, but "slushboxes" like yours are probably the worst. I didn't know the Subaru automatics were that bad. I do know the new 2.0 with a CVT yields good results. It sounds like your driving pattern forces you to be in the worst fuel mileage ever (lots of time idling plus several bursts up to 75? ouch!). I assume you've explored other routes for your commute. Even something where you are driving slowly but not stopped/highway speeds should give a marked improvement. The hatchback probably doesn't impact your fuel mileage much. I don't think the difference between DOHC and SOHC is going to have any measurable impact on fuel mileage either. Nor would I assume that a compression ratio change does that much. Your final drive ratio is probably the most significant impact. Additionally how much time you spend in "lockup" mode (where the fluid clutch is essentially disengaged and the engine crankshaft is directly connected to the driveline) is a major contributor. The roof rack absolutely impacts fuel mileage as Consumer Reports demonstrated: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/07/tests-show-bike-racks-can-ruin-your-mileage/index.htm http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/07/tests-show-b...

Declanomous 10y ago
I use the manumatic function a lot in my 4EAT, because it always seems like it's in the wrong gear otherwise. I test drove a 5 speed and I hated it, cause the gearing seemed horrible for the speed limits which are really common around me. Anyways, I take the highway to work, and I take a short stint on a highway and then surface streets on my way home. On my way home I run in to something like 40 stop signs. Pretty much every intersection has a four way stop for a few miles of my commute. I can actually quantify how much the roof rack affects mileage, because I track whether I have it on my car or not in addition to my mileage.
- PhantomGremlin 10y ago
  On my way home I run in to something like 40 stop signs. Pretty much every intersection has a four way stop for a few miles of my commute. That just screams "hybrid" to me. Wouldn't a hybrid or EV be the perfect vehicle for that scenario?

Declanomous 10y ago

I use the manumatic function a lot in my 4EAT, because it always seems like it's in the wrong gear otherwise. I test drove a 5 speed and I hated it, cause the gearing seemed horrible for the speed limits which are really common around me. Anyways, I take the highway to work, and I take a short stint on a highway and then surface streets on my way home. On my way home I run in to something like 40 stop signs. Pretty much every intersection has a four way stop for a few miles of my commute. I can actually quantify how much the roof rack affects mileage, because I track whether I have it on my car or not in addition to my mileage.

PhantomGremlin 10y ago
On my way home I run in to something like 40 stop signs. Pretty much every intersection has a four way stop for a few miles of my commute. That just screams "hybrid" to me. Wouldn't a hybrid or EV be the perfect vehicle for that scenario?