Poor Gas mileage (22 mpg @60 mph)
02-03-11, 01:13 PM
#16
Intermediate
I've had the 6th gear issue forever. I don't think it's an issue but normal. Car will not go into overdrive until it reaches a certain temperature. For me I know when it's about to shift because it's about 2 notches above the C on the temperature gauge. You would only notice this if you live close to a freeway and get up to 6th gear while the engine is still cold. Mine takes about 4-5 minutes to warm up to allow it to go into 6th. I just take it easy and go 60 mph (speed limit) until it shifts, then up to normal speed 70 mph+ on the freeway (I have a reverse commute no traffic in the morning).
02-03-11, 05:38 PM
#19
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: WI
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks BinaryJay. The explanation you gave on the manual shift makes perfect sense.
I just took the car out (14 F) and the tranny shift seemed to be somewhat sooner, I would say about 3 miles. It may just be a temp thing but I doubt it. My Toyota Solara has the opisite problem. Will not shift out of 1st until you get the rpms way past the normal, warm shift point. Not sure how the tranny works but would think if it was a temp thing it would do it in other gears also, who knows.
ChuckGS350, I would think the mpg would be better in cold weather, the air is densor so more O2 and more power per stroke.
mmade22, I going to look at a 2008 CLS550 tomorrow and will probably trade in the GS. If I don't, I will talk to the dealer about the mpg and the tranny on Monday. Let me know what you find out on Tuesday.
I just took the car out (14 F) and the tranny shift seemed to be somewhat sooner, I would say about 3 miles. It may just be a temp thing but I doubt it. My Toyota Solara has the opisite problem. Will not shift out of 1st until you get the rpms way past the normal, warm shift point. Not sure how the tranny works but would think if it was a temp thing it would do it in other gears also, who knows.
ChuckGS350, I would think the mpg would be better in cold weather, the air is densor so more O2 and more power per stroke.
mmade22, I going to look at a 2008 CLS550 tomorrow and will probably trade in the GS. If I don't, I will talk to the dealer about the mpg and the tranny on Monday. Let me know what you find out on Tuesday.
02-04-11, 07:41 AM
#20
So coming home last night I put it in shift mode and it said I was in 6th after shifting up 2 from 4th. Car was not in 6th so I kick it down and it went to 2nd or 3rd and when I let up it went to 6th. Two things, 1). Thought it was suppossed to stay in the selected gear when you were in manual mode. 2). looks like I have to basically get the rpms way up to build fluid pressure before it will shift into 6th. I guess I will call the stealer and see what they say.
I did reset the ECU this morning and on first try it did not start. I guess this is a good sign, as it had to adjust itself. The motor runs very smooth and I no-longer hear the fuel injectors. I will see how the mpg is on the way to work.
I did reset the ECU this morning and on first try it did not start. I guess this is a good sign, as it had to adjust itself. The motor runs very smooth and I no-longer hear the fuel injectors. I will see how the mpg is on the way to work.
02-04-11, 08:28 AM
#21
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: WI
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As someone else mentioned. Their's does not go into 6th until the temp gauge gets just before the second hash mark (not counting the large baseline line) I observed the same thing coming home last night. 14 degrees F and at 5 miles it shifted into 6th just as the temp gauge was just before the second hash mark. I do not know what to make of this. Almost seems like there is something that will not let it shift until temp is up. I could assume this is because in 6th the motor really does not have enough torque to over come the fluid viscosity and would lug the motor until warm. When it does go into 6th it will drop back to 5th if I even think about touching the gas. As it warms up, I can apply more gas before it shifts down to 5th. This is about all I can think of now.
Read BinaryJay's explanation on how the manual mode is designed to work, it is not like a stick shift where it stays in the gear you select.
Hope this helps
Dave
02-04-11, 08:30 AM
#22
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: WI
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
02-04-11, 05:06 PM
#23
I think otherwise because the engine burns more fuel to keep it at operating temperature. Especially at hwy speed.
02-04-11, 06:39 PM
#24
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: WI
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think the ECU uses engine temp as a controlable variable. What I mean is, I don't think the ECU sees the engine temp is low and says I need to add more fuel to warm it up. Also, running an engine lean will heat it up and destroy it very quickly, it will go like a raped ape, but not for long. running rich, (more fuel) will run cooler, the unburnt fuel will carry the heat out.
Everything I have ever owned that runs on gas, runs noticibly better in cool weather. This is another reason people buy cold air intakes and add air coolers for turbos and blowers.
02-05-11, 12:36 AM
#25
Rookie
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Swindon UK
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I slowed to about 40 mph and slid it to the left and it goes into 4th on the readout. I then pushed up twice to go into 6th and the readout said 6 but car was in 5th. I then punched it and it dropped down a few gears and went into 6th when I let up, rpms ~1700@60 mph.
As someone else mentioned. Their's does not go into 6th until the temp gauge gets just before the second hash mark (not counting the large baseline line) I observed the same thing coming home last night. 14 degrees F and at 5 miles it shifted into 6th just as the temp gauge was just before the second hash mark. I do not know what to make of this. Almost seems like there is something that will not let it shift until temp is up. I could assume this is because in 6th the motor really does not have enough torque to over come the fluid viscosity and would lug the motor until warm. When it does go into 6th it will drop back to 5th if I even think about touching the gas. As it warms up, I can apply more gas before it shifts down to 5th. This is about all I can think of now.
Read BinaryJay's explanation on how the manual mode is designed to work, it is not like a stick shift where it stays in the gear you select.
Hope this helps
Dave
As someone else mentioned. Their's does not go into 6th until the temp gauge gets just before the second hash mark (not counting the large baseline line) I observed the same thing coming home last night. 14 degrees F and at 5 miles it shifted into 6th just as the temp gauge was just before the second hash mark. I do not know what to make of this. Almost seems like there is something that will not let it shift until temp is up. I could assume this is because in 6th the motor really does not have enough torque to over come the fluid viscosity and would lug the motor until warm. When it does go into 6th it will drop back to 5th if I even think about touching the gas. As it warms up, I can apply more gas before it shifts down to 5th. This is about all I can think of now.
Read BinaryJay's explanation on how the manual mode is designed to work, it is not like a stick shift where it stays in the gear you select.
Hope this helps
Dave
02-05-11, 06:55 AM
#26
Lead Lap
02-06-11, 09:39 AM
#28
It's actually the transmission fluid temperature which you can't see on the dash but obviously it's tied to the engine coolant temperature. It's obviously a measure to increase the reliability of the transmission to keep it from working too hard with thick fluid.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
