6th...but my ZR1 gearing is different...85mph=2500rpms...who needs to downshift? not I! lol

on both my coupe and Z06 I would mainly stay in 6th over 60mph...now on the ZR1 I keep looking for that 7th gear lol...I believe the OM state 6th for 60 and up and to stay in 5th bellow 60 to avoid lugging the engine to low...

I always thought that the highest gear would be the most fuel-efficient for highway cruising, but I played around with the Instant Fuel Consumption display this past weekend and it gave me better numbers in 5th gear going around 60 than in 6th. Seemed to be a wash at best in the mid/upper 60s. Roughly, there was correlation between the gear and better economy as follows:

1st: 0-mid/upper teens
2nd: twenties
3rd: thirties
4th: forties
5th: fiftees
6th: sixtees

Not conclusive yet by any means but warrants more testing. Definitely would be easy to remember.

Frank

Sixth.

4th gear....

I use 6th for anything over like 35mph

yes. and for most of the time you're on a highway, that is why 6th gear is in the trans. on the C7, there'll be a 7th gear. I am quite certain they didn't add it to the car for giggles. :D:cheers:

highway driving above 60 mph=6th gear

I cruise in 6th gear any time I'm above 50 MPH. Only time I have to downshift is when I'm on a two lane highway driving behind a car doing 50 MPH and I have a very short distance in which to pass him. I've driven some pretty steep hills on the Interstate and never have to down shift. Z06 has gobs of torque at low RPM's.

For me, it is a function of:

• engine load
• rpm
• vehicle speed
• acceleration

If I am just cruising on a level road at 70 mph, I am in 6th.

Fourth is fun!!

Only use 6th above 60/65mph w/cruise control..

like to keep it above 2K rpm, so vary the gears as required...

Yea, that is my system also....dropping into 5th gives that extra ooooomph!

:woohoo:

I get the best highway mileage at 80 .

:willy: D :rofl:

Lately I've been driving around town in first, third and fifth gear around town...Other times I start off in second fourth and 6th...

On the highway....I like 6th gear cruising..

I have found its good for the pcm to see high gear acceleration from time to time. (although its a bit slow it surprises the computer and readjusts air fuel readings accordingly which is a nice change when you decide to hammer the throttle)

Other times I hammer it hard through the gears and cruise on the highway in 5th and not 6th.

There is no right or wrong answer. Just different choices.

I followed the automatic 6 speed in my 304hp CTS in around town and highway modes to determine whats most efficient even though the LS3 is a completely different engine. I figured even though the LS3 is more torquey and higher powered....then the DI 3.6...the logic of the automatic was transferrable for best efficiency...

Just too much time on my hands but it was fun to see what worked

When I think back on my first vet a 65 with Crane ram sonic cam, reworked heads, and more, running 4:56,s, headers with side exhaust. To get that feel driving my LS3 today I would have to open the npp's and drive the freeway in 3rd all day long. If I remember correctly at 60 mph it was tacking around 3300 rpm. When I raced that car I use to shift at 7400 rpm. That small block would rev. Bottom line 5th or 6th is still overdrive to me.:cheers:

In traffic on the hi-way 5th.
It allows slow down for traffic without braking.
Also - can get out of the way quickly in 5th.

I use fifth above thirty five and sixth above fifty, as in the opp's manual. Fifth is used quite a bit, even in town.