Ryan Mills

Okay, so I purchased a 2.8 tiptronic Avant after the 1.8 went head to head against a lincoln towncar, and I've noticed that the RPM's at speed are lower than my 2.8 manual. So in theory, since the car has a locking torque converter, if both cars were driven at equal speeds on perfectly flat roads, would the auto get better fuel mileage? Or is there still greater drivetrain loss in an auto that negates the advantage of operating at a lower rpm? Just wondering....It makes sense in my head. If anyone know the answer please let me know, I lose sleep over dumb things like this runnig through my head. Thanks!

sbmellen

... through the fluid in the torque converter. If I recall correctly about locking torque converters, they're only "locked" at highway cruising speeds, i. e., high gear.

JAFO

i ordered my car before there were any manuals to testdrive. i was shocked at how much tighter the manual was geared.

audinutt

In the Audi service manual it states the converter only locks once it reaches 3rd gear.

sbmellen

There you go.