Hi there!
I have a 2007 1.8 i-vtec Civic that comes with some eco features such as eco cam phase, pumping losses reduction with drive by wire system, etc...
You can see the full explanation here:
This means that with this engine the "low rpm high gear" rule can be worst then "medium rpm low gear" in terms of delivering better mpg...
So, I'm decided to do a test to figure out the best rpm/speed/gear that delivers the best mpg. (aka sweet spot) and in the process I can find out the sweet spot for low speeds (secondary roads), and for highway speeds.
My car is a 6 speed manual, it has cruise control, and I have a scangauge II.
My idea is to get a straight flat or slightly uphill road big enough to gain some speed and slow down safely (still thinking of one...) I supposed when uphill the sweetspot will still apply but with more LOD?
Then I would set the cruise control in the desirable speed and let it stable and register (film or photo) the scangauge values to check out later.
Examples:
4 gear - 40 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
4 gear - 50 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
4 gear - 60 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
5 gear - 50 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
5 gear - 60 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
5 gear - 70 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
5 gear - 80 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
6 gear - 60 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
6 gear - 70 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
6 gear - 80 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
6 gear - 90 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
6 gear - 100 km/h - xxxx rpms - xx mpg
After that I take the best 2 of each gear and do the middle speed between them and try to get the best of each gear...
Don't know if this is the best way?!
Also don't know what to register in the Scangauge: MPG, HP, RPM, LOD or TPS?
Any advice please tell me! Thank you!