cdelena

I don't see at that way. I have a shifter to select gears as the need arises.

I drive in the highest gear the conditions allow for.. 6th for an easy cruise at 50mph down a flat city street works well. In city traffic with alot of maneuvering maybe only four gears are needed. On the tracks we run on here, five are needed. On a long highway cruise 6th gear will get you 30mpg if you can stay in it (even at a steady 85 - 95 mph).

stookster

Not sure about running 6th gear @ 50 mph. I don't think the engine is meant to be run that low in the RPM range all the time ... besides, it isn't as much fun.

No flame intended, cdelena. Just a different POV. I didn't buy a $30k+ race car so I could get good gas mileage. 85-95 mph in either 5th or 6th gear is just fine though ... until John and Ponch catch up to you ;-)

WestSideBilly

Based on torque curves and my experience driving under-powered rice burners, I would say 2500 RPM in town is fine. If you plan to accelerate, upshift and get some revs, but for just rolling for a couple miles, the engine is fine at low RPMs. Not really fun, but neither is listening to 5000 RPM all the time

hpalmer

[/B][/QUOTE]

Not sure about running 6th gear @ 50 mph. I don't think the engine is meant to be run that low in the RPM range all the time ... besides, it isn't as much fun.

No flame intended, cdelena. Just a different POV. I didn't buy a $30k+ race car so I could get good gas mileage. 85-95 mph in either 5th or 6th gear is just fine though ... until John and Ponch catch up to you ;-) [/B][/QUOTE]

I believe that Honda reccomends shifting to 6th at 50mph for the best fuel economy so I'm sure the engine can handle it. I find the car drives just fine in 6th at this speed.

I'm amazed at how much torque this car has down low for its engine size. It really is a split personality car.

Though I'm stuck in the break-in period so I'm still living with Dr. Jeckle, I'll have to wait for Mr. Hyde.

Hugh

stookster

Good point guys. I guess you can pretty much use ANY single gear you like at 50 mph ...

WestSideBilly

Except for 1st and reverse

stookster

True -- 1st gear max speed @9k is aprox. 43 mph. I believe someone on this board has clocked reverse max speed @47 mph as well!

Da Hapa

around town i tend to shift around 5-6K during "normal driving". that pretty much keeps me under 4th unless i am on the freeway.

2x6spds

I also shift at about 6-7K when driving briskly, tend to cruise at about 3.5 K around town.

2x6spds

josh3io

depending on time/traffic/neutrino density, between 3k-7k rpm.