s2ksimon

Having some "neihbourly talk" today and the topic of what RPM's do s2000 drivers keep driving in.

My neighbour insists at keeping his REV's around the 5000-6000 RPM and NEVER going below that level no matter if he's in 1st, 2nd or 3rd.. 4th, 5th.. (we left 6th gear alone) ???

For example, on a long straight away, that is normally driven in 2nd or 3rd depending on traffic conditions. You are just cruising in 2nd gear , but the traffic is moving at a speed that has your tach around 5000-6000 rpm, do you shift into 3rd or , let the engine REV and continue for another 2 miles/ 3 km's say ?

In other words, do you drive your "Ess" in lower gears and have it REV more ? to have your VTEC ready in the next blip of the throttle , or in the next 1000 RPM's.

I'm interested to hear how you all drive your ESS's..

thanks
s2ksimon

Elizer

i keep the rpms within 2-4 range.
if i need to get into vtech just downshift....

s2ksimon

downshift to kick VTEC and then back up.... HMmm, that's an interesting way driving..

DarioManfretti

I usually have mine in 4th gear for city driving. If I need some quick speed for some reason, I just down shift to 2nd. Very rarely do I keep it at a steady 6K RPM (wastes more gas).

CBeyond

I don't do what your neighbor does. When driving around city streets with moderate to heavy traffic at relatively slow speeds (35mph - 45mph), I shift at around 4,000 - 4,500 rpms, and use all gears up to and including 4th. To me, if you're not driving fast, it seems pointless to rev the engine beyond 5,000. It doesn't impress anyone (including me) and it's a waste of fuel. I use the VTEC range when I want to drive fast, not when I want to sound like I'm driving fast.

But that's just me.

VinceD

Freeway cruising speeds of 80 mph, around 5K or so. VTEC-ing on straightaway on ramps and I'm good to go

xviper

It sounds like your neighbour is not very adept at shifting or he's thinking he's Mario Andretti and "needs" to be ready to GO at a split seconds notice. If I'm just cruising "steady state", I let my engine run between 3000-4000rpm. If I'm about to go up a good incline, I'll downshift so as not to lug or overload the engine. If I'm anticipating on needing to take off briskly, I'll also downshift. It's not difficult to calculate the piston speeds on this engine all the way up to redline. At around 6000 rpms, the piston speeds are quite impressive to say the least and at redline, they are staggering. Why not give your engine a break? Like any thoroughbred, it'll be quite happy to run beyond a gallop, but why not take it easy on the thing when you don't need the power?
Personally, I wouldn't want to buy any car your neighbour has owned. I'd be getting an engine with 50% more "mileage" on the engine alone.

s2ksimon

Scarey thought in that, my neighbour works for a large Honda dealership here in the Toronto area and if he ever flips his lease on this car to another buyer, I feel sorry for that person inheriting his poorly kept sebring.

I simply tried to reason with him , but it simply wasn't happening. Thanks for everyone's feedback.

I equate to, there are those who are "enthusiasts" like ourselves, and then there are those who "simply own the car"

xviper

THIS,in itself, explains EVERYTHING! Be afraid, be very afraid!

Ravenwerk

Tell your neighbor he needs to wear a helmet to complete the image he trying to achieve.