2000 Civic, New to hypermiling

[ralree]

Hi there. Just started shifting into Neutral and shutting the ignition off in my car. Wife just got a Civic Hybrid (2005) with a CVT - might have been a bad idea, but it was mega cheap. It runs fine, no error codes. Need to change the transmission fluid soon though - there is some judder.

[PaleMelanesian]

Welcome! I like your car. White 6th-gen civic.

Your automatic transmission should be fine with engine-off coasting at any speed below 35 (spec in the manual). You can do it above that with reasonable caution, too. What kind of drive do you have? Your automatic has better gear ratios than my manual, so it's a better highway cruiser than mine. In town I can do more with the manual because I can get the exact rpm/load I want.

Getting up to speed - find the shift points and let up on the gas a moment when you get there. Once it shifts, you can lean on the pedal again until the next shift point. Once it's locked into top gear (45 mph?), try to keep it locked. A downshift will eat a lot of extra gas.

I'd suggest getting an Ultragauge or Scangauge before trying a Kiwi.

[ralree]

Thanks! Yeah it's a decent car - it doesn't get super-great mileage though. I've been coasting engine-off for a few days now between 50-65 mph, and it seems fine. I'm generally on highways and not in traffic, so I'm glad to hear that it's better than a manual for that. Thanks for the tip on shifting - I'll try what you said. I've been trying to keep the RPMs under 2500 at all times, and usually below 2000 if I can.

Any reason why the kiwi is worse? I got one for about $70 on ebay, and it's in the mail. Read speed maybe?

My wife's '05 Hybrid Civic took it's first trip to NYC over the weekend, and we got about 46 mpg with 4 people and luggage in the car. She seems to be getting around 50 with just her and a bike on the way to work, and she's not even hypermiling.

Cheers and nice to meet you! I'll be posting my first results soon.

[PaleMelanesian]

I haven't used one, but my understanding is that the Kiwi won't correctly log engine-off miles. Or maybe it resets each time, or something like that. It would be great if you give us all a good rundown of how it works for you.

[ralree]

I'll certainly do that! If the problem is that it turns off when the ignition is switched off, maybe I can fix that...

I'll be sure to read some more about it.

[civic_has]

Change the trany fuild often, every year and always use OEM fuilds. Growing up and working on Honda from the past, I know that these automatics epically the new cvt are very sensitive. Change the fluid every year, & clean the magnet on the drain bolt, and car will give you many years of service.

[TXwaterdog]

ralree welcome to the forum. I'm looking forward to your posts and the rundown on the kiwi.