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RPM/Feul Economy w/ Manual Transmission?
I have a 5 spd 2001 Honda Civic EX w/ a 1.7L I4 SOHC VTEC engine (Redline at 6800 RPM). I learned driving stick on a 1996 Toyota Corolla/Geo Prizm, and for my Honda, the recommended shift points seem to be a lot higher, and it seems to cruise with a lot higher RPM than what I'm used to driving with automatics as well as that 96 Corolla.
I'm used to cruising in the 1500RPM range, and as a result, I'm usually into 5th gear by 40MPH (which is also the cruising shift point on the 5 spd manual Corolla). According the owner's manual for my Honda, the recommended shift point to 5th gear is 48MPH while cruising, or 58MPH while accelerating. Following the recommended shift points the car is always above 2,000 RPM, and around 2500RPM, which just seems really high for me, and it feels like I'm burning unnecessary gas. The manual says those shifts points are for the best feul economy and performance, the latter being not very important for me while commuting. The manual also says I should be the in the highest gear that allows for smooth acceleration. I'm not very aggressive while accelerating (and when I am, I rev accordingly), and car seems to ride smoothly at 5th gear at the lower speed of 40MPH (feels smooth above 35MPH).
Does it adversely affect fuel economy for me to shift well below the recommend shift points? How would I know for sure that I'm in too high of a gear?
2 Answers
- MarkLv 78 years agoFavorite Answer
since you drive conservatively and not concerned with acceleration . You are 100% correct lower rpm shift points will increase your MPG. Anyone that disagrees just doesn't know what they are talking about.
- 8 years ago
These two cars have different power bands and differing peak hp/tq. The Honda appears to be a higher revving engine and makes its power at higher rpms. To keep the acceleration smooth it recommends shifting at a higher rpm so when the car does shift it won't drop too far out of the power band. You aren't doing anything wrong when shifting earlier, you just won't feel the performance as much as someone who shifts at those recommended rpms.
Honda peak hp at 6300 rpm and tq at 4800 rpm.
Toyota peak hp at 5600 rpm and tw at 4400 rpm.
The Honda also has a bigger rear end gear which will cause it to cruise at higher rpms than the Toyota. I believe it's 4.41 vs a 3.94.
