MPG on auto vs manual

Depends on the driving style. Just driving in traffic I shift around 2000rpm. If I am driving spirited then I shift around 3000rpm. Usually I short shift 1st at 2200rpm then pull through 2nd to 3200rpm then skip shift to 4th.

 

Thirty years ago manual transmissions were typically good for a 2-4 mpg advantage over an automatic all things being equal. But for a variety of reasons fuel mileage is for all practical purposes the same on any vehicle anymore.

I suppose that in theory at least it is possible for a manual to squeeze a little better fuel mileage out of an engine since the driver has more control over when he shifts. If the driver always drives with economy in mind. But in the real world the opposite usually happens. Manual drivers tend to stay in lower gears longer than an automatic would because they are more fun to drive. But either way the difference is going to show up to the right of the decimal point when figuring fuel mileage. Not something I'll worry about for a fraction of 1 mpg either way.

 

I have gotten as high as 22.5 and as low as 15.5, a lot of variables. These trucks don’t like extra weight.

 

All things being equal, the MT and AT should come in at pretty close to the same MPG. By equal I mean a skilled driver, driving with MPG's in mind all with an all stock truck. Start adding larger tires, extra weight for skids, roof racks, lifts etc then it's questionable which version will provide the best MPG, but I'd lean towards the MT doing better because of the differential gearing.

There are very few people who can sift as quickly and at the most advantages power point with a MT vs an At. The AT does not come off the throttle when it shifts as you do with the MT (or should do) so there's an advantage there, although some will argue the converter slippage at low speeds mitigates this to some extent.

Either transmission, it's more the operator and the conditions it's driven in that determine MPGs. So get what you prefer, and if it's high MPGs go for a Prius.

 

I'm Auto. 18.6 over 31k FWIW.

 

I recommend only driving downhill at all times. Great mpg.

 

Fuel economy for auto transmissions greatly improved with the introduction of lock up torque converters, electronic controls and increased gear ratios. This now makes them more efficient than the manual transmission because the TCM can keep the engine in the optimal efficiency range without driver input. This is tough to beat and will eventually kill the manual. To me this is unfortunate. I definitely enjoy a manual over an auto, but all this is changing with electric drive. Driving will never be the same for our children and grandchildren.

 

3500 1st to 2nd,
3000 2nd to 3rd
2500 from there on out

 

2019 offroad 6MT, 7k miles, best entire tank mpg was 24.1, worse was 20.5. Freeway driving kills mpg I've noticed. I try to go 65 to 70.

 

Everyone bitches about the AT but as someone who has driven the AT both stock and after a 4.30 third member swap from a totaled MT truck (both on stock 265/70R16), it's 100% the gearing. It completely woke the truck up and made the shifting a lot closer to how I drive my 6MT. As much as I generally love three pedals, if I had known that's all it took I honestly would have ended up with the ACLB 6AT instead of my truck just because I miss having a proper bed, I don't need the rear seat, and most importantly, so my wife could drive off road.

I really wish Toyota would have just included the same shorter final drive in both because that 6th gear is far too low down for the torque curve of the engine - it's about what I'd expect to see in a Land Cruiser or Tundra behind the 5.7, not a 3.5 that likes to spin. Even with the swap the RPMs are lower than the MT and he told me his MPG is generally better since he did it.

 

Agree. The rear end is way too tall in the AT. I'd have definitely swapped to 4.88s is I still had it.

 

First week I had it I got 25.5mpg on 250 mile round trips. After a tire change to 10 ply's it dropped to 21.5mpg for the same trips.

I set my cruise to 66mph for most of the trip.

 

This. In other vehicles that have a manual, I can have mgps on the same drive that differ by more than 8...it depends how much of those pedals I use and how I use them. Same with this truck. I have an auto and on the same drive, I can get either 16 or 22. 1) traffic. 2) how you use/ how often you use the brake. 3) How smooth you are with the accelerator pedal. Manuals have the freedom to choose gears easier that better suit a situation so that can often help (this is what I've noticed on different vehicles, not this one). You're going to hear all sorts of different opinions on which transmission will give higher mpgs...it mainly depends on the person behind the wheel and just how much/little you want to thrash the motor.

 

This is absolutely correct. The diff ratio is a major factor with the Tacoma in it's current form. I have not driven an auto, but I have experienced lots of auto vehicles with high ( numerically low ) gears. I had an 1980 Malibu Classic coupe that I dropped a 350 into but kept the TH350 3 speed auto and the 2.73 rear gears. That thing would one tire fire for days and was awesome on the highway. It would have been more fun with 3.73's.

 

This is the feeling that I get driving my truck. I'm not in control, it does what it wants to "try" and get better mpg. I shoulda got the MT.

 

I truly feel like the M/T will get better mileage than the A/T if someone can drive between 45-50MPH in 6th for a whole tank.

I'm too impatient for that. I average around 18 mixed driving. The motor screams along at 2500 RPMs around 75MPH where the A/T will do 2000. That's a pretty significant difference.

 

I get similar MPG. Love my 2.7l, 5 speed MT.

 

Just a couple of points. I can't remember any vehicle I've looked at that offers a MT and a AT where the MT is listed with better MPGs. Goes for trucks, SUVs and even sporty cars like a Miata. Why? because the computer that shifts is smarter and faster and makes decisions on when to shift better than the dude shitting behind the wheel, rocking out to heavy metal and/or texting his SO. I'm of course ducking my head with that last point as we all know the issues with the Tacoma. But there it is. It's science as they say.

 

Maybe current models. Many many cars of the past the manuals got better mpg. For instance 1998 honda civic. I just looked it up, manual 5 speed gets better mpg.

 

After I complained about a lack of usable power in my 2018 manual, I started driving just like you guys suggested. I keep the revs constant in the sweet spot at 5-6000rpm. MPG at 75mph on the highway in 3rd gear is around 7 on average. That's pretty decent eh?



But driving like you can actually operate the truck, I get 18mpg on average. Might can squeeze it up to 19 on the hwy.