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Old 06-26-2021, 02:07 AM   #16 (permalink)
California98Civic
Cyborg ECU
 
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Coastal Southern California
Posts: 6,299

Black and Green - '98 Honda Civic DX Coupe
Team Honda
90 day: 66.42 mpg (US)

Black and Red - '00 Nashbar Custom built eBike
90 day: 3671.43 mpg (US)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EcoCivic View Post
That's a great idea, thanks. Sometimes I shut the AC off while climbing hills to prevent having to downshift, but I never thought of shutting it off during acceleration except at WOT when maximum acceleration is needed. I will try that method and see if I notice an improvement. The effect of the AC on acceleration isn't dramatic like on some cars I have driven, but it's noticeable enough that I could see how eliminating that drag during acceleration could measurably improve efficiency.
I can feel the car shudder slightly when the AC comes on in her Subaru, so I know it is significant, though I can't measure it. My favorite tactic is the deceleration one: when the engine is warmed up and the rpms are high enough, say 1500+ the ECU will turn off the injectors if I take my foot off the gas. That's when I hit the AC button. The AC load on the drivetrain is literally helping to slow the car for me. The tactic saves the brakes slightly and gives a little free AC.
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See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.



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EcoCivic (06-26-2021)