[JXYOO]

Well we know that stick shift saves gas so I was wondering if steptronic saves gas also?

[McLuVan]

Originally Posted by JXYOO

Well we know that stick shift saves gas so I was wondering if steptronic saves gas also?

I think it does
all epa ratings say that the step saves more gas than the stick

[maximka]

you mean MT and AT ?? or manual shift on AT?

[McLuVan]

Originally Posted by maximka

you mean MT and AT ?? or manual shift on AT?

at on drive saves gas
at on manual not so much

[maximka]

yes, but on my x5 i see difference if i ride on D mode or manual mode!

[jonnieb27]

I definitely drive more conservatively in D mode; the car just feels more relaxed so I'm not pushing it all the time.

In DS mode, which feels much more like how I would drive a manual, the mileage is probably similar to a true manual.

I find DS mode a little overkill for commuting in traffic, so I'm getting great gas mileage in D

[emarkd]

Most of the answers here seem to pertain to behavior. Sure, if the step is more fun or engaging, like a true MT, you may drive it more aggressively and burn more gas than with the auto, but the bottom line is that underneath, the step transmission is still an auto and torque converters are less efficient at transferring energy than clutches. If you can resist the temptations and control your right foot, the MT is capable of getting better mileage than the auto, in whatever form it takes. Not that I can...

[JamieA]

I can't control my foot yet - I just love hearing the sound of that engine

But if you are comparing the MT to the AT, the manual will in general for the same driver behaviour and driving conditions always be more fuel efficient than the AT because of the lack of frictional losses associated with the hydraulic fluid in an auto versus the more direct mechanical connection that a clutch affords.

[335e92tx]

Originally Posted by JamieA

I can't control my foot yet - I just love hearing the sound of that engine

But if you are comparing the MT to the AT, the manual will in general for the same driver behaviour and driving conditions always be more fuel efficient than the AT because of the lack of frictional losses associated with the hydraulic fluid in an auto versus the more direct mechanical connection that a clutch affords.

Thats the way it USED to be. With torque converters that lock in all gears above 1st the loss is basically non existent now. You also dont have the constant off and on the accelerator with an auto trans.

[Hoothout]

it all matters how you drive it and when you shift

[Taittinger]

Originally Posted by emarkd

Most of the answers here seem to pertain to behavior. Sure, if the step is more fun or engaging, like a true MT, you may drive it more aggressively and burn more gas than with the auto, but the bottom line is that underneath, the step transmission is still an auto and torque converters are less efficient at transferring energy than clutches. If you can resist the temptations and control your right foot, the MT is capable of getting better mileage than the auto, in whatever form it takes. Not that I can...

That is an antiquated notion. More and more cars are being rated better at fuel efficiency with automatic transmissions versus their manual transmission counterparts. As much as manual transmission drivers like to think they have the level of control to precisely shift, very few actually can perform the mathematical calculations to identify the exact optimum shift points for various conditions and, further, to actually shift at said point.

[emarkd]

I agree with you. What I was trying to say with my post is that if you take the driver out of the equation, the MT should be more efficient at transferring power than the AT. That's the same thing you said. Maybe the difference is very small and getting smaller every year, but as far as I know, there is still a difference.

[335e92tx]

Originally Posted by emarkd

I agree with you. What I was trying to say with my post is that if you take the driver out of the equation, the MT should be more efficient at transferring power than the AT. That's the same thing you said. Maybe the difference is very small and getting smaller every year, but as far as I know, there is still a difference.

Your right, and the advantage NOW goes to the step.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
Premium Gasoline - Manual 6-spd
17City
20 Combined
26 Hwy


Premium Gasoline -Automatic (S6)
18 City
21 Combined
26Hwy

[Tag]

Originally Posted by McLuVan

at on drive saves gas
at on manual not so much

I can squeeze a few more mpg by shifting it frugally myself in MT mode.

[positiveions]

how much gas are you saving? 1/4 of a gallon, maybe less?

[darkphantom]

if I drive like a granny and drive in the city, I can get up to 19-20mpg.....if I drive like a normal person probably 18-19

crazy person, like I've done in the past 10-14mpg

[openwheelracing]

Calculated actual 26mpg from my last tank (e90 328i with steptronic and SP, purchase July 29, 2008). Even though the dash shows 25.1

[AdamJ]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Thats the way it USED to be. With torque converters that lock in all gears above 1st the loss is basically non existent now. You also dont have the constant off and on the accelerator with an auto trans.

Yep. People are ignorant when it comes to MODERN automatic transmissions. The MT guys are in denial

[mikefern]

Originally Posted by darkphantom

crazy person, like I've done in the past 10-14mpg

Crazy or as it should be driven? I'd like to think the latter. Who can resist the call of the turbos? Let 'er rip

[mikefern]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Your right, and the advantage NOW goes to the step.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
Premium Gasoline - Manual 6-spd
17City
20 Combined
26 Hwy


Premium Gasoline -Automatic (S6)
18 City
21 Combined
26Hwy

Wow, I'm not even close to this. I drive my 335xi step in M mode all the time (no flaming please, never learned stick and don't think I can get used to driving with 2 feet now) and I get 17 combined. I lay into her pretty hard though...gitty up

[emarkd]

Originally Posted by 335e92tx

Your right, and the advantage NOW goes to the step.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm
Premium Gasoline - Manual 6-spd
17City
20 Combined
26 Hwy


Premium Gasoline -Automatic (S6)
18 City
21 Combined
26Hwy

Huh, I didn't know. Does anybody know why or how the newer autos are more efficient?

And at least some of us MT guys are not in denial. I'd buy the manual even if it was significantly less efficient on gas. It's just more fun to drive - to me. I just didn't know and didn't intend to spread inaccurate or antiquated information.

[335e92tx]

Originally Posted by emarkd

Huh, I didn't know. Does anybody know why or how the newer autos are more efficient?

And at least some of us MT guys are not in denial. I'd buy the manual even if it was significantly less efficient on gas. It's just more fun to drive - to me. I just didn't know and didn't intend to spread inaccurate or antiquated information.

n/p - this has been probably one of the most rapidly changing aspects of drivetrains in the last 2-3 years. As cars went to 6 and 7 speeds, the benefits of manuals has been reduced. Previously manuals were the only way to definitively managed the power delivery. While manuals had reached their optimum engineering 40 years ago, automatics only recently obtained that accomplishment.