Manual transmission Fan Club and BS thread (All Generations Welcome)

I think it's the EPA tests they use to estimate MPG just don't favor MT anymore. They can integrate the engine and transmission controls with an AT such that it does exactly what it needs to do to ace the test. But an MT relies on more assumptions and maybe actual driving testings.

In the real world a MT could get better or worse than the estimate, completely depends on the driver. Plus the engine can't anticipate what the drivetrain is doing with a stick. The knucklehead behind the wheel might not shift perfectly, hold a gear too long, shift too quick. It's pure chaos to the engine controller, the system never can achieve ideal efficiency.

Mechanically there's no way I can see an AT being more efficient than a MT. It's a direct connection with a little bit of gear friction. No hydraulics or fluid coupling. The only time an AT is equally good is when the torque converter is locked up.

 

If you have the exact same gearing, same ecu tune, same shift points, a torque converter auto will get worse mpg than a manual. It really is an elegantly simple, robust, and most importantly, efficient means of coupling a motor to wheels. When people cite modern autos blah blah blah, they always miss the gearing at minimum.

 

Flashed to the updated ecu yesterday and it is awesome. Shifting from 1-2 without having to rev out 1st, and all shifts are smoooth. 2nd gear very responsive in low rpm. Throttle response much improved and rev hang diminished. All 3rd gen MT should look into this. I loved my truck before. But man it’s even better.

 

That is the clutch safety switch doing it's job and does not mean your clutch is out of adjustment. You should have about 3/4 to 1 inch free play at the top of the peddle. This being a hydraulic clutch, not sure if there is an adjustment but someone that knows more about this clutch system should let you know for sure.

 

Same, when i go wheeling with my friends in their AT Tacos its a huge difference. They're always bogging it at low RPMs and cant get high RPMs when they need to. I love to gun it through the smooth sections, downshift, drop the clutch and 4 wheel drift around a corner.

 

Free play spec is 5-15 mm

 

That's about the free play I have about 12mm I'd say. Just curious if everyone else was having to depress the clutch all the way to the floor to get it to activate.

 

Normal, but sometimes it feels like I can press the pedal maybe 3/4 of travel and it will still trip the switch.

 

I'm 34, sold my last manual at 21 until I got my 2017 at 33 years old. The first six months of driving it felt like I was getting runners knee...

I'm not sure how you would fix it. But what helped for me was exercise and driving more!

 

I found this video VERY interesting and have been trying its techniques lately. I can say it does indeed make a difference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNspNdVkslA&t=200s

 

You can also watch the blue MPG meter and shift when the meter hits peak MPG usually around 2000rpm. Would only recommend on flat roads with little traffic.

 

It’s all about the final drive ratio

 

This is how it should be. But to reduce some of the dead travel, I removed the green stopper from the clutch pedal and used a body clip with a few washers.

 

I shift at 2500 frequently and as long as I am easy on the gas the truck does well. I think (THINK) shifting at 2 would cause the motor to bog.

If I'm pulling my trailer I'll shift at 3 or more.

 

Hahahhaaaa... I'm surprised that guy can drive, talk, film, talk with his hands, and shift!!!! Holy hell, put your hand back on the wheel.

 

That's why only flats or downhill while driving nice and relaxed, no traffic and unloaded/no trailer.

 

Lol! I normally shift around 1800rpms. I seldom rev it up unless I’m going up a really steep hill.

 

I was on a back road (in Mexico) this morning on my way home from work, and wanted to see what 2nd gear would do if I ran it up tbe RPMs before shifting.

Freaking 62mph....in 2nd gear at just over 5500 rpms. 3rd was quickly approaching 85mph, so I slowed it back down so I didn't take out a small village or random wild donkey crossing the road.

 

New knob installed.

 

Looks like a Tootsie Roll sucker. Nice!