Eco challnenge for 5000km with new 9th gen Civic

[Arturasz]

Hello, next week I will take part in unheard 5000 km eco trip. Throught Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Norway (Nordkapp), and donwards through Finland, Estonia, Latvia to Lithuania.



At same time there will be 7 teams using 7 pcs Honda Civic gen 9th. But saddly all of them it will have automatic tranny. Engine 1,8. Power: 104kw/142hp/6500 rpm, torque: 174nm /4300 rpm. 5 speed gearbox with paddles on steering wheels. I never tried to hypermile wit AT, but i think that paddles will help to brake with engine.

Maybe you can advice or tell tips regarding automatic transmision?

[PaleMelanesian]

You do not want engine braking. The trick with Honda automatics is to shift to neutral whenever you can. Put it in gear when you need power, but any other time you want neutral for longer rolling distance. Of course, when you NEED braking like down a mountain, use it. I expect you will see some mountains on that route.

[Arturasz]

Yes there will be mountains, roller coasters. But doesn't it harm to put in neutral, it is abo****ely new cars with 6000 miles on clock

[Vekke]

Nice.

How many days is the planned schedule for the whole event?
Will you drive the whole race?

[Arturasz]

7 days. We will drive with my collegue

[MetroMPG]

Some automatic transmissions with paddle shifters can be made to upshift sooner (manually) than the default programming when left in "Drive". That is definitely worth investigating.

[Arturasz]

by the way, is it worth to shutdown petrol engine on traffic lights?

[MetroMPG]

Every hybrid does it. On non-hybrids, engine start-stop systems are becoming increasingly common as fuel saving devices.

[MetroMPG]

Neutral takes away propulsion and possibly engine braking, not traction.

And if you need drive or engine braking, shift!

[PaleMelanesian]

No. Engine revs have nothing to do with traction.

Neutral takes away engine braking and delays available forward power but cannot affect traction.