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Do any good hypermile candidates have an auto w/manual override option? I am (still) looking at cars and I'm looking for ones I can shift for hypermiling/performance/fun but can leave alone for long trips/tired driving. (I can use stick when I'm alert but due to a stroke I lack the coordination when tired/bruised/etc).

Not a great candidate as far as MPG is concerned but my 2008 Jeep Patriot has one (as do its siblings the Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber). It's hooked up to a CVT transmission so it isn't actual 'gears', just preset ratios.

It's proven to get me a little MPG boost in certain situations, primarily low-speed city cruising (25-35mph). The default CVT ratios are optimized for available torque at those speeds, but you can play it for MPG with the "Autostick"

Different make and models will likely be different, that said, I have a Hyundai automatic with the manushift feature.

In manual mode you:

- can start in 2nd
- can control descent speeds if required

- can't upshift any sooner the drive
- can't hold a gear until redline, it'll upshift sooner
- can't keep it from downshifting as speeds drop

Bottom line, you have some control, but only what the TCU gives you.

On the other hand, the drive to neutral and neutral to drive shift is very smooth and simple. There is no risk of engaging reverse or anything like that... very natural shift. That's the big shift for hypermiling anyways. With the shifter over in manual mode, neutral is not an easy shift.

Hi warthog1984,
I visit both here and GasSavers quite a bit. They have a really good thread discussing, in effect, a override controller that can be switched on/off for when you feel like being in control of shifting or when you want the car to shift itself. The basic kit costs about $130. If you intended on keeping your current vehicle, it'd be worth considering. Here's the original thread with a link to the product site:
GasSavers Thread (http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=4007)