View Full Version : What is Your V-10's MPG???
I dont downshift to stop but for cruising, especially like yesterday when were doing some hard driving, I keep it in a lower gear and have the power more readily availiable so I dont have to downshift if I want to get on it. I guess thats not a good practice? I thought since these engines were built for higher RPM's it wouldnt matter?
Yeah, I do all the above and more probably not good but it is fun. I just want to try to change to see if it makes a difference in mpg or not. Then I will go back to my way of driving. I am very hard on the BMW's especially the M's, I have had no problems. I am really hard on my M3, downshifting, keeping it in a lower gear etc, no issues there at all. I think the only thing that is bad is the gas mileage when you drive that way but I think the engines were built to take a pretty good beating.
M6OnTheWay
07-16-2007, 08:27 AM
If its only the gas mileage that takes a beating then I could care less!!!
I was hitting 10 mpg with mostly local driving...and getting lower...but back up to 10.3 after a long road trip yesterday...
I figured out why some of you are getting truly horrendous gas mileage. (Or at least I think I know why.) Do not engine brake. Use the pedal next to the accelerator. (In your case, Splendid, I know you've got another pedal to the left.) These high revving engines aren't meant to do the braking except when there is the chance of significant brake fade, and even though, be light on the engine!
Yes, as you know I do engine brake. I will try using the brakes more and see what difference it makes in my mpg. I will keep you posted on the results.
Thanks
X-MAN - You are the worst offender I have ever seen. You engine brake from red line! In each gear. :scared:
X-MAN - You are the worst offender I have ever seen. You engine brake from red line! In each gear. :scared:
I proudly agree but I checked with my BMW insider, he said no worries, it won't do anything they are very high strung engines and can actually go way past those redlines and be fine. My M3 new till now has been beat up pretty bad but what we consider a beating is not necessarily what the BMW Pro's think. We can't do anything to these engines because the computers won't let you they automatically cut the revs if too high. I have tried it before you can't gear down from say 3rd to 2nd when the rpm's are too high. He also said the only way you can cause damage is if the is a faulty part that fails other than that we are good to run as high as they can go the are made for that and more. My BMW's are all stock also so no extra strain is on them, he mentioned that also superchargers and turbos if properly installed won't do anything hey are very strong engines.
That is the "Word" so take it as you will.
cobradav
07-17-2007, 04:42 AM
X-MAN - You are the worst offender I have ever seen. You engine brake from red line! In each gear. :scared:
I proudly agree but I checked with my BMW insider, he said no worries, it won't do anything they are very high strung engines and can actually go way past those redlines and be fine. My M3 new till now has been beat up pretty bad but what we consider a beating is not necessarily what the BMW Pro's think. We can't do anything to these engines because the computers won't let you they automatically cut the revs if too high. I have tried it before you can't gear down from say 3rd to 2nd when the rpm's are too high. He also said the only way you can cause damage is if the is a faulty part that fails other than that we are good to run as high as they can go the are made for that and more. My BMW's are all stock also so no extra strain is on them, he mentioned that also superchargers and turbos if properly installed won't do anything hey are very strong engines.
That is the "Word" so take it as you will.
While not in a V10 I do the same mostly. Constantly engine braking using STEP (manual shift). When doing more aggressive driving (ToD or other twisties) it will only upshift at redline and I am on the shifter holding (press forward and hold) it to downshift to the next gear as soon as the computer will let it. It has become such a natural way of driving I find it hard to just place it in D or DS.
BHR4CE1
07-17-2007, 04:55 AM
When doing more aggressive driving (ToD or other twisties) it will only upshift at redline and I am on the shifter holding (press forward and hold) it to downshift to the next gear as soon as the computer will let it. It has become such a natural way of driving I find it hard to just place it in D or DS.
you GO crazy, wild man!
:race:
Richard in NC
07-17-2007, 03:04 PM
I dont downshift to stop but for cruising, especially like yesterday when were doing some hard driving, I keep it in a lower gear and have the power more readily availiable so I dont have to downshift if I want to get on it. I guess thats not a good practice? I thought since these engines were built for higher RPM's it wouldnt matter?
Isn't one of the advantages of SMG instant downshifts? If you have a 6 speed, I can see holding a gear to keep in the power band but with SMG, just tap tap and you're off.
On topic, I engine brake on occasion. Anytime I'm exiting from interstate speeds or slowing from at least 50mph, I'll drop 2 gears (easy since I have a 6 speed manual in the 650i), cruise up the off ramp and come to a stop in the lower gear.
M6OnTheWay
07-17-2007, 03:50 PM
I have a 6 speed.
Engine-braking is okay and won't suck the gas on the cylinder-deprived 6ers. But I believe it is death on gas mileage and probably oil consumption, and maybe even eventually the engine on the V-10.
cobradav
07-18-2007, 02:38 AM
Engine-braking is okay and won't suck the gas on the cylinder-deprived 6ers. But I believe it is death on gas mileage and probably oil consumption, and maybe even eventually the engine on the V-10.
A relative measurement can be made using the trip computer. It would be similar to taking instantaneous mileage readings. Just as you start to slow down in either a high gear or lower gear for more engine braking, reset the trip computer and see what mileage you get for that short distance. After several of these you would have a feel for "small" or "large" difference.
Engine-braking is okay and won't suck the gas on the cylinder-deprived 6ers. But I believe it is death on gas mileage and probably oil consumption, and maybe even eventually the engine on the V-10.
A relative measurement can be made using the trip computer. It would be similar to taking instantaneous mileage readings. Just as you start to slow down in either a high gear or lower gear for more engine braking, reset the trip computer and see what mileage you get for that short distance. After several of these you would have a feel for "small" or "large" difference.
Malibu, Our V-10's can take a lot more than we can ever dish out to it.
CobraD, I will try that also.
Thanks
Enigma
07-18-2007, 07:42 AM
I think I am trying to find an issue with these Falken tires that came with it, so I have been driving hard on them, you know, um research, development and testing, yeah that's it. Truth be told they are holding up really well, no really really well, surprisingly well and I have been thru some highly touted performance tires and these here Falkens are standing very tall. I am not sold on them and I will still stick with my favorite extra sticky Pirelli brand but these Falkens are defying their cheap brand moniker. Maybe they know something we don't??
:offtopic: (sorry :oops: ) XMN, I too, have Falkens and the only problem I noticed so far (driven 10K ml) is that my 6er doesn't grip well as it does with factory ones. Have you tried them on the wet surface yet? If so, please let me know how they handle the road. They're good tires for the price (I'm still waiting for my PS2 to be delivered yet), but I don't think I would use them for too long.
Thanks,
VR>
I think I am trying to find an issue with these Falken tires that came with it, so I have been driving hard on them, you know, um research, development and testing, yeah that's it. Truth be told they are holding up really well, no really really well, surprisingly well and I have been thru some highly touted performance tires and these here Falkens are standing very tall. I am not sold on them and I will still stick with my favorite extra sticky Pirelli brand but these Falkens are defying their cheap brand moniker. Maybe they know something we don't??
:offtopic: (sorry :oops: ) XMN, I too, have Falkens and the only problem I noticed so far (driven 10K ml) is that my 6er doesn't grip well as it does with factory ones. Have you tried them on the wet surface yet? If so, please let me know how they handle the road. They're good tires for the price (I'm still waiting for my PS2 to be delivered yet), but I don't think I would use them for too long.
Thanks,
VR>
No wet driving yet so I don't know but on the dry surface they are not bad at all. Like you, I also won't use them for long but they suprised me.
While not in a V10 I do the same mostly. Constantly engine braking using STEP (manual shift). When doing more aggressive driving (ToD or other twisties) it will only upshift at redline and I am on the shifter holding (press forward and hold) it to downshift to the next gear as soon as the computer will let it. It has become such a natural way of driving I find it hard to just place it in D or DS.
same here, i rarely use my brakes, the STEP in M mode is a perfect tranny for cluchless shifting, and I use it exactly as you'd use a traditonal cluth manual; i always downshift in all sitautions for engine braking, its the only way to drive!!! :race:
Hey brakes are cheap!! I use them all the time. :twisted: :twisted: