Improving gas mileage

[SlownRow]

Has anyone thought about changing the gear ratio for the 6-speed M/T to get the RPM's lower in 4 to 6 gear and thus increase performance? My car is just now going out of warranty and I was wondering if this would improve mileage. The reason is that I find I get about 38 MPG's (US - tach is at 2,000 rpm) if I drive on the highway at 60 MPH (US) instead of the posted 75 (US) It sucks to get tickets or try to talk a cop out of giving me a ticket for going too low below the posted limit.

[Rogue One]

According to studies backed by the department of energy, the average car will be at its advertised MPG at 55 mph. But as the speed increases:

• - 3% less efficient at 60 mph
• - 8% less efficient at 65 mph
• - 17% less efficient at 70 mph
• - 23% less efficient at 75 mph
• - 28% less efficient at 80 mph

[rstolz]

you likely wouldn't see any gain by changing the ratios on this car. It may look like it on paper, but if you do you'd end up having to push the engine harder or keep it in a lower gear to accelerate at all, meaning increased gas consumption until you get up to speed. don't forget about hills either, as you'd have to downshift sooner to maintain speed up any hill of any size.

I'd look to lower weight, get lower rolling resistance tires, and improve airflow through the engine before messing with gearing, not only is that expensive, but gains will be difficult to find, given the engine's low power.