most fuel-efficient rpms for subaru?

[GasSavers_McGee]

hi,
I have a 2003 subaru baja and I usually average around 26-28 mpg. The roads I take to work are speed limit of 55, so I usually go around 60, which puts my rpms at 2,800, which I always thought was ideal.
However recently we drove down from Michigan to Georgia and one of the tanks we managed to get 31 mpg! I couldn't believe it since we were following someone and not using our cruise control and even had the air conditioning on for a bit...
all I could figure is the subaru must be more efficient at over 3,000 rpms.
anyone else have any experience with subarus?

[Bill in Houston]

What were you following and how far back?

Did the tank before or after have lower-than-expected mpg?

[GasSavers_BMac]

My 96 Outback cruises at 70mph @ 3200rpm and doesn't lose speed on the hills but I can only get 27mpg with it bone stock. And that was from Michigan to eastern Canada and back.
When I first got it last year I was getting 28mpg.

[GeekGuyAndy]

With my 97 Legacy wagon I can stay at 3000rpm at 70mph, but don't normally drive that fast.

McGee, I typically drive 55-60 when possible and stay around 2300rpm. I went about 400 miles which was ~90% 55, ~2% 65, and ~8% 45 and under and averaged about 34mpg (without ScanGauge). I don't know why that is so much lower rpm and higher mpg than your Baja. Are you gliding down hills? Gliding in N got me to 30mpg, add DWL and I got 35mpg, add P&G and a ScanGauge and I got 40mpg.

I just did a test yesterday trying burn and glide against pulse and glide, and only using the engine at very high rpms was less efficient.

[Bill in Houston]

The Baja is probably a 5-speed MT, and is probably geared lower than your AT, which would make its rpms higher. And its shape is a little less shhmoooth than a Legacy wagon, what with the bed and all, so maybe that explains the mileage. Just my guesses.

[GeekGuyAndy]

But wouldn't a 5sp M/T totally beat a huge wagon 4sp A/T? That's what I don't understand

[kickflipjr]

The general rule is the slowest possible in the final gear would produce the best mpg.

metro speed/mpg graph:
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread....ighlight=speed

crx speed/mpg graph:
http://www.gassavers.org/showthread....ighlight=speed

[Bill in Houston]

Bajas have all kinds of stuff dangling off them like racks and bars and lights and flaps and that bed in the back. The Legacy is nice and smooth. On the highway, I'd bet on the Legacy. In town, I would favor the Baja.

[omgwtfbyobbq]

Originally Posted by GeekGuyAndy

But wouldn't a 5sp M/T totally beat a huge wagon 4sp A/T? That's what I don't understand

In order for the EPA highway to be roughly the same, Subaru probably has significantly taller OD for the A/T. The implication being that at a steady cruise with the TCC locked, the A/T with the taller gearing will get better mileage.

[GasSavers_James]

My parents legacy (2001 2.5 L 4spd auto) does not have tall gearing at all...it is surprisingly short, but I dont remember the numbers.