Automobile Enthusiasts

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With advances in automatic-transmission technology, stick-shift adherents confess that their oft-used arguments about fuel economy and performance are starting to slip like a worn clutch. A proliferation of gears means automatics are now better able to keep engines in their “sweet spots” where they run most efficiently, said Ed Hellwig, executive editor at Edmunds.Com.

Today's cars are much better at running efficiently than yesterdays. A common mistake people make with automatic trannies is driving in (D)rive with automatic overdrive. Depending on the vehicle the speeds vary, but the concept is simple. Unless driving at a constant speed AND being at 50 mph or more, overdrive eats much more fuel. The engine isn't revving fast enough to produce the torque needed for efficient acceleration - you may only be accelerating one or two mph, but it is that one or two mph that is very inefficient. Get in the habit of turning off the overdrive for city and residential streets. Once you are up to speed and can maintain that speed then use overdrive.