For driving in town where every other block has a stop sign and speed limit is 35 tops, is it ok to just use 4th gear? and not D?

tia

 

Sure, you can run comfortably at 100 in 4th... but why?

 

I'm also curious as to why you would prefer fourth gear? I believe it's plenty safe, but?

 

Do I really need 5th when I'll Have to stop in 30 feet?

 

Ah, understood. I guess you definitely don't need it. And maybe, it is less wear and tear to avoid the extra gear. I always just allow my car to handle it for me. I love how smooth it shifts, so I hardly notice it.

With all the reports of transmission problems, I was a little nervous when I bought it, but I've found this transmission to be quite robust. I did of course change the fluid first thing after buying it.

 

something to consider:

When in manually selected 4th, does the car start from 1st or 2nd?

In Drive, it starts in 2nd. But, in Sport mode, it starts in 1st.

 

Yes, I prefer the smoother shifting of the Non-Sport mode, unless I'm trying to get on it.

Also, an added benefit: My driveway is quite steep leading up to my house. When in Non-Sport mode, 2nd gear acts like a 'Hill Holder' clutch and does not allow the car to roll backwards.

 

Never noticed a difference one way or the other in terms of shift quality,
or even performance.

I am currently trying a tankful in Normal mode because of gas consumption.
But, 90 percent is city driving in traffic

 

Shift quality is most noticable when starting out. If I start in Sport mode, it starts in 1st gear. The shift from 1st to 2nd is slightly jumpier. If I'm on the gas, every gear is jumpier. In Normal Mode, I get 17.5 - 22 MPG. City vs Highway.

Performance wise. Major Difference if you stomp on it. Both starting in 1st and cruising at 50 mph, then stomping it. Then it's a Beast

I've heard some people that prefer Sport Mode daily driving, but I personally prefer Normal Mode. 90% of the time I'm a laid back driver. I've got Sport Mode and a Blower for the other 10%.

 

Wow,

My city is more like 11.5 in normal.

4.0 engine.

 

OUCH!! I don't belive I've ever gotten under 15.5, even when driving hard.

 

Do you have an 8?

 

Yes, XJR, so it's a Supercharged V8. EDIT: sorry, yes, in 1999 it is a V8.

 

What tire pressures are you running to get 17.5 city?

 

I hate to admit it, but I run 32lbs all around. I don't know why, but that's what I've always done with all my vehicles (Except Motorcycles). Also, keep in mind that I live in a small town, so not a lot of traffic lights, and I stay in Normal Mode, not Sport. Like I said, I'm easy on the throttle 90% of the time. Once in a while, I stomp it just to hear the blower whine, but not too often. I run 91 octane fuel all the time (otherwise, it sputters a little). I just went out and checked, and I have 17.6 MPG average and 29 MPH average (used about 1/2 tank). That does include a little highway driving. How does the average MPH compare with yours?

I run GoodYear Eagle GT's 255/40ZR18. They are a bit noisy, but I love the ride, looks, and handling. Also, quite good in the snow. With a rating of 400 AA A, I'm hoping to get a few miles out of them too.

 

Sorry, Double Post.

 

Currently on 245/40-18 Toyo winters installed by PO.

32 PSI all around

Clocked 20 mpg on a new tank for pure highway @ 70-80 for 300 miles tonight. 87 octane.

Congested urban is about 12 mpg on 94 octane, same style of driving as you.

The return trip will be at 36 psi.

 

I know it's a VERY small difference, but my tires are slightly taller (25.6 - 25.7). Do you think that's enough to make the difference? Not sure how that calculates out to mileage. PS: My normal Highway crusing speed is 70MPH.

On a trip to Reno NV, including going over the Summits etc, I got 23.5 one time. That was on my old tires, just about worn all the way out.

 

Not really because all those calculations are done by the computer based on what it "thinks" is a mile. 800 revs of the tire = 1 mile to the computer.

BUT, rolling resistance matters. That's why the old tires did so well.

 

Ah, that makes sense. Now, I've never done mileage calculations manually, always read the computer. But, since my Speedo seems to be dead on accurate (checked against GPS), the computer should also be accurate?