Tested rpm-mpg

[basjoos]

The 92-95 Honda Civic VX and CX turn 1925rpm @ 60mph (2000rpm @ 100kmh). My CX when it had its original engine with 70 horsepower had enough power to maintain speed on all except for 3 of the uphills on the interstates in western NC. And on those few hills that it won't maintain speed on in 5th, well, that's what 4th gear is for.

[gone-ot]

...a very crude "rule-of-thumb" estimation of MPG for our Cruze LTZ seems to be:

MPG ~ 2000 / MPH

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by basjoos

The 92-95 Honda Civic VX and CX turn 1925rpm @ 60mph (2000rpm @ 100kmh). My CX when it had its original engine with 70 horsepower had enough power to maintain speed on all except for 3 of the uphills on the interstates in western NC. And on those few hills that it won't maintain speed on in 5th, well, that's what 4th gear is for.

Exactly! Honda has been downright stupid with gear ratios since 1995. Exceptions were the HX which was ok but not great and the Gen1 hybrid but that had other stuff tacked on. Even now, the new Hf model they're advertising... automatic only.

[PaleMelanesian]

Showdown: testing RPM vs. MPG at a fixed speed - MetroMPG.com

[Bill in Houston]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Exactly! Honda has been downright stupid with gear ratios since 1995.

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Showdown: testing RPM vs. MPG at a fixed speed - MetroMPG.com

Ugh, stop, you are bumming me out. My Element, with plenty of engine and plenty of torque, is geared so low. At 60 mph, I am running 3000 rpm. If it were properly geared, it looks like I could break 30mpg on highway tanks, vs the ~26 I get now. Sigh.

[ecomodded]

I find it also pays to get into top gear as soon as possible so you can get in early on the mpg savings from the gear lowered rpm.


My car will idle along in 5th gear without throttle at about 27mph 950rpm up gradual grades without issue, at idle. I think or expect this to be its top mpg cruising speed as it using the least fuel possible.

[Cobb]

Guess I should be very SMUG with the fact my honda does 60 mph at 1700 or so rpms?

I find the speed of my sidekick isnt linear according to the odo. For example as I approach 45 mph it goes up to 5 mph off. As I approach 50 mph-60 its dead on, when I start to go to 70 its 5 mph faster. This is using a tomtom gps as a reference.

So, I slow to 40 in 45mph zones that have cops present, then go 5 over elsewhere.

[gone-ot]

Having a "radar MPH" on-the-vehicle would eleviate that problem.

[vrmouseyd15b]

Originally Posted by Cobb

Guess I should be very SMUG with the fact my honda does 60 mph at 1700 or so rpms?

Now I know what you guys were talking about with the talllllll gearrrrsss on the vx / cx trannies! I came from an lx manual to a vx, check my rpm / speeds (custom econo - light above 4500 rpm, not CEL above 5500 rpm)

BEFORE:

75mph, about 3000 rpm


80mph, about 3100rpm




AFTER:

80mph, about 2600rpm


about 71mph, about 2400rpm

I'll put up a couple more speeds / mph's when they finally upload!!

[Hersbird]

I bet Honda is building the cars to do well in the epa testing and the average magazine road test. So the low gearing doesn't hurt the epa tests because apparently "highway" is not cruising along at 65mph, go figure, and road tests always show things like 0-60mph and not what rpms and gear changes it took to make it there. Vtech just kicked in yo!