Gear Changing and Rev meter Question

[dc5TypeRRRR]

Hi Guys,

I previously own an auto 94 Teg Gsi but have now upgraded to a DC5R. One being a 4sp and the other a 6sp my quesition relates to fuel effieciency.

My Gsi on 4th gear it will sit a 60km/h at 2-2.5rpm.

Is it ok to have the DC5R in 5th gear at 60km/h where the rev sits between 2.5 - 3 rpm or have it in 4th where it sits in 3 - 3.5rpm?

Some friends suggested because Hondas love revving, Its better to stay in 4th as the I-VTEC will help the effeciency. Changing to 5th or 6th will not help. Is that true or false?

Another quick question for DC5R owners. At how many revs would you normally change gears for fuel efficiency?

Thanks

[VTi_b0i]

i just cruise everywhere in 5th gear lol to save petty haha so for u it would be 6, but in saying that, doing 60 in 6th if u needa accelerate up a hill or to get thru a yellow light, u might struggle haha so maybe 5th at 60km/h?

[dc5TypeRRRR]

So leaving it in 6th gear on 60km/h is ok and wont damage the engine in any way???

I heard it makes the car work harder cause you maybe in the wrong gear.

[FR33K]

just think logically.. (by the way theres a million threads on this)

would it be better cruise around in 6th gear and have your foot down on the pedal to accelerate.. OR
have it in 4th and just tap the accelerator to accelerate...

in other words.. ultimately it will depend on how heavy ur foot is on the throttle not what gear ur in..

yes obviously that doesnt mean its just as good to cruise around doing 50 in 1st as it is to do 50 in 4th... use ur brain...

[Iwishiwasa Type R]

So leaving it in 6th gear on 60km/h is ok and wont damage the engine in any way???

I heard it makes the car work harder cause you maybe in the wrong gear.

nope..think of it like your peddaling a mountain bike..
if your just cruising you put it into a higher gear so your legs dont work that hard to keep that pace..

you see a bulldog.... you drop the shimannos down a couple so you can accelerate away...

In your car, you wouldnt drive from standstill away in 4th or 5th gear..
they simply arent made for it..

just as 1st and 2nd arent made for crusiing..

hope it helps

[aaronng]

6th at 60km/h might lug the engine when you come to slight inclines. I'd use 5th gear and keep it at 2500rpm.

[Mr_will]

as has been pointed out 1000000 times on this forum, fuel efficiency relates to THROTTLE PRESSURE not REVS. eg 100% throttle in 5th/6th at 2000rpm will use more fuel than lighter pressure in say, 4th.

Ultimately, your ECU decides how much fuel goes in, not you. By keeping the revs in the range where you are producing a good amount of torque, your engine doesnt work as hard.

for example, in my 5sp LS (B18a), i COULD be in 5th at 60kmh, falsly believing i was getting better fuel economy than being at 4th with higher revs. however the reality is that being in 4th will use less fuel because less throttle pressure is needed, i am making a good amount of torque because im somewhere around 2500rpm, and if i need to increase my speed i can do so relatively easily (although at 60, 3rd or even 2nd would be better)

in summary - dont just get into the highest possible gear, keep your engine where it gives you flexibility to accelerate if need be, this will give you better driveability and better fuel efficiency.

[RyDC5S]

Hi Guys,

I previously own an auto 94 Teg Gsi but have now upgraded to a DC5R. One being a 4sp and the other a 6sp my quesition relates to fuel effieciency.

My Gsi on 4th gear it will sit a 60km/h at 2-2.5rpm.

Is it ok to have the DC5R in 5th gear at 60km/h where the rev sits between 2.5 - 3 rpm or have it in 4th where it sits in 3 - 3.5rpm?

Some friends suggested because Hondas love revving, Its better to stay in 4th as the I-VTEC will help the effeciency. Changing to 5th or 6th will not help. Is that true or false?

Another quick question for DC5R owners. At how many revs would you normally change gears for fuel efficiency?

Thanks

I get better fuel efficiency keeping the revs around the 3K mark instead of 2.5K. I use 4th gear at 60km.

[OHH NO]

i get better fuel efficiency driving over 3.5ks then shifting.. at 60k would be 3rd or 4th

[05dc5S]

6th in 60 is fine if ur just cruising at 60 and not going up an incline and if ur not trying to accelerate

if its slightly uphill use 5th... anywayz which gear u use should depend on the "feel" and how fast u want to accelerate should u wish to accelerate..

i dont see the need to keep it in 4th to be "flexible". you drive a manual car so just shift down a gear when u need to accelerate? keeping the engine in higher revs than neccessary when cruising just seems like unneccessary wearing of the engine to me.:)

[air23box]

ivtec will do nth to ur fuel efficency......its all depends on how u drive....the DC5R have amazing low torque.....you can cruse on 6th gear doing 60km up hill.....the most fuel efficient way to drive is to get to the ideal speed with the right gear.....there is no golden rules.....its all depends on the way you drive and the condition of the road.....amount of traffic etc.....so just use the way that you like.....If I tell u to rev ur car to 5k to change gear is the best way to do....will you do that? some ppl like to change gear in higher rev...some ppl like to change in lower rev.....so its all about personal interested.......my 2 cents....

[fatboyz39]

drive in 5th at 60km thats for a 6sp gearbox.

If you drive in 6th gear at 60k's you'll be using alot more fuel.

Shifting at the right power band will also save fuel.

[dc5TypeRRRR]

Great, As a cruiser Ill leave it in 4th or 5th. Im just getting use to the higher revs on a 6sp.

Thanks heaps