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Old 08-15-2008, 09:17 PM   #5 (permalink)
MechEngVT
Mechanical Engineer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 168

The Truck - '02 Ram 1500 SLT Sport
90 day: 18.78 mpg (US)

The Van - '00 Odyssey EX
90 day: 19.86 mpg (US)
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I have read that BMW instructs drivers to accelerate at 75% engine load and shift when the engine's mean piston speed reaches 1200-1500 feet per minute. Mean piston speed is a function of engine stroke and RPM.

Vp=RPM*S/6

Vp= mean piston speed
RPM= engine speed
S= engine stroke length, inches

This keeps you in closed-loop operation (for EFI) at high volumetric efficiency with low frictional horsepower loss for as short a time as possible before you can achieve steady-state cruise and/or EOC. It is what I like to say is accelerating "smartly."
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