Manual vs auto fuel economy

[FireFox31]

On the Highway , if you keep the converter locked up with a light foot you should even do better with an automatic..I think the final drive is lower? Unlocked, economy will suffer of course

What is unlocking the torque converter, how do you do that, and why does it hurt fuel economy?

[abscate]

When you get your automatic on the highway ru but up to 60 mph then hold it there. After a few seconds the revs will drop about 5-10%

That’s the converter locking up and you now have exactly the same driveline efficiency as a manual transmission

If you have a heavy foot the TC will always be bouncing between locked and unlocked and you lose mpg

[FireFox31]

Thanks, I've been wondering about why I saw different RPMs at the same speed, assuming it was changing gears and I didn't know it. See, this is why I like manual transmission; you always know what gear you're in.