Playing the Ambient Meter Game and other questions
#1
Playing the Ambient Meter Game and other questions
I just bought a 2015 Honda Fit LX, manual, which I mostly love. On another thread, simonx314 explained that the Ambient Meter seems to correlate with throttle position, regardless of the MPG you're getting at that moment.
1. Is it possible to keep the meter in the green and gradually accelerate up to 55? Or even keep the meter light blue or turquoise? Does it only work if you take five minutes to go from zero to 55?
I've tried accelerating slowly, but I don't think I can get up to speed for the next gear without going into the light blue or primary blue every time. It also gives me a nice green if I keep it in a higher gear way below the point I should have shifted down, like 30 mph in 4th gear. If it's supposed to be coaching, the lesson seems to be please decelerate, bring it to a stop, step away from the vehicle and never come back. It's like that computer from the movie War Games: "A strange game. The only winning move is not to play."
2. When I bought my Toyota Yaris in 2007, it had been a few years since I had driven manual. I asked the salesman when to shift. He said when it hits a certain number on the tachometer -- which showed he wasn't paying attention, because the baseline model I bought had no tach. My step-dad said you just get a feel for it. Sure, but I could be doing it all wrong and get a feel for that too. I can't remember what that rpm number was, but now when I bought my Fit, I was concerned because I was used to 5 speed and this is 6 speed. I asked this salesman, how do I know when to shift? This one has a tach so I asked if there's a certain rpm you should shift at. He said you just get a feel for it. *smack my head*
I found the section in the owner's manual that suggests speeds at which you should normally shift. Is there a basic ideal rpm or range at which you should shift?
3. My first car with cruise control. It occurred to me today when I clicked on the "Cruise Main" button, which allows you to later set your cruise control, is there any reason to ever turn off the Cruise Main button? Would there be any disadvantage to leaving it active constantly?
Thanks!
1. Is it possible to keep the meter in the green and gradually accelerate up to 55? Or even keep the meter light blue or turquoise? Does it only work if you take five minutes to go from zero to 55?
I've tried accelerating slowly, but I don't think I can get up to speed for the next gear without going into the light blue or primary blue every time. It also gives me a nice green if I keep it in a higher gear way below the point I should have shifted down, like 30 mph in 4th gear. If it's supposed to be coaching, the lesson seems to be please decelerate, bring it to a stop, step away from the vehicle and never come back. It's like that computer from the movie War Games: "A strange game. The only winning move is not to play."
2. When I bought my Toyota Yaris in 2007, it had been a few years since I had driven manual. I asked the salesman when to shift. He said when it hits a certain number on the tachometer -- which showed he wasn't paying attention, because the baseline model I bought had no tach. My step-dad said you just get a feel for it. Sure, but I could be doing it all wrong and get a feel for that too. I can't remember what that rpm number was, but now when I bought my Fit, I was concerned because I was used to 5 speed and this is 6 speed. I asked this salesman, how do I know when to shift? This one has a tach so I asked if there's a certain rpm you should shift at. He said you just get a feel for it. *smack my head*
I found the section in the owner's manual that suggests speeds at which you should normally shift. Is there a basic ideal rpm or range at which you should shift?
3. My first car with cruise control. It occurred to me today when I clicked on the "Cruise Main" button, which allows you to later set your cruise control, is there any reason to ever turn off the Cruise Main button? Would there be any disadvantage to leaving it active constantly?
Thanks!
#2
Don't worry about keeping it in the green while getting up to speed. Harder acceleration means less accelerating- you'll be burning less gas cruising at speed than while accelerating, so getting there sooner pays off in the end.
Your shift points will vary depending on where you are, what you're doing and what everyone else around you is doing- you'll have to get a feel for it. Generally, lower is better for mileage (but you don't want to upshift too soon) and higher is better for power (such as you have). You just get a feel for it is the best advice soneone can give you.
I haven't turned off my cruise main in ages.
Your shift points will vary depending on where you are, what you're doing and what everyone else around you is doing- you'll have to get a feel for it. Generally, lower is better for mileage (but you don't want to upshift too soon) and higher is better for power (such as you have). You just get a feel for it is the best advice soneone can give you.
I haven't turned off my cruise main in ages.
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bertosfit
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11-15-2018 06:43 PM