Optimal Shift Points for 98 Civic

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T L - 05 Aug 2005 04:13 GMT

Hi All

98 Civic LX (canadian) non-vtec 5-spd. 228000kms. Just wondering, since I
have just installed a tachometer, I can now see my engine speed. So now the
real question, what are the optimal shift points for my car. Optimal meaning
how can I get the best fuel economy?

t

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Stewart DIBBS - 05 Aug 2005 21:25 GMT

> 98 Civic LX (canadian) non-vtec 5-spd. 228000kms. Just wondering, since
> I
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> meaning
> how can I get the best fuel economy?

Optimal fuel ecomony comes when the engine is operating around the maximum
torque point. Look in your owners manual for the spec for your engine. Its
probably around 3500 rpm, so changing at about 4000 up to the next gear is
ideal. Your gears are spaced about 500 rpm apart. Check it on the tach and
see. You should consider around 2200 rpm to be the mimimum rpm under load.

You can also on flat roads use 1st, 2nd (to 4200 rpm or so), and quite
comfortably change to 4th to save a bit of gas. The most important saving is
to reduce the gas pedal pressure until the car starts to slow. Lastly, on
trips, if the limit is 100kmh, slow to 90kmh and keep right. You'll get
there just as fast, and use much less gas than those who run at 120.

Stewart DIBBS

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DaveL - 07 Aug 2005 16:55 GMT

> Hi All
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> t

For best fuel economy you should shift as quick as you can without bogging
the engine. Keep the rpms low and baby the gas pedal.

DaveL

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