That's really really good. Much higher than most AT people. You better go teach your driving style over in the "AT Mileage" thread!

 

Does anyone know why Honda made the MT rev so high...I mean compared to the AT. 3700 RPM at 70MPH is pretty high! I guess ill have to really crank up the stereo. Most cars ive ever driven @ 70MPH the RPMs were around 3k.

What is the optimal MPG speed for a MT? Also, would the AT have a faster top speed since it has 5 speeds as well?

 

I have to agree with the few people that have actually answered the question and say that 60MPH is the optimal speed for a MT. I went from 32MPG doing 70MPH+ to 38MPG going at an average of 60MPH.

Take what you like from it, but it seems that keeping the RPM's around 3K is best.

 

Screw the AT's thread thats better than most MT's!!!!
infact I wanna send GUINNESS some proof! are you up for it?

I wanna believe it....do you drive downhill in neutral? Do you push it?
Do you use a tailwind with the doors open?
Do you let other cars push you?

I know its possible...but DAAAAAAAAAAMN!!! I wanna live/drive as well/how you do!
-WHAT SPEED ON THE FREEWAY???

IM AN A$$...YOUR THEY GUY WITH THE SCANGAUGE WHO POSTED EARLIER...SORRY

 

[quote=Snap Fit;216953]Screw the AT's thread thats better than most MT's!!!!
infact I wanna send GUINNESS some proof! are you up for it?

I wanna believe it....do you drive downhill in neutral? Do you push it?
Do you use a tailwind with the doors open?
Do you let other cars push you?

I know its possible...but DAAAAAAAAAAMN!!! I wanna live/drive as well/how you do!
-WHAT SPEED ON THE FREEWAY???

IM AN A$$...YOUR THEY GUY WITH THE SCANGAUGE WHO POSTED EARLIER...SORRY[/quote

Actually it's not a record. There are a couple of Fits that get better mileage than mine. If you go to CleanMPG, An authoritative source on fuel economy and hypermiling and look at the mileage log you can see what people can squeeze out of their cars. It' not for everyone however.

Getting good mileage is a game for me. I have driven to the same work and house for 23 years. I'm so bored with the drive that I enjoy the challenge to get the highest numbers possible. So far my best was 48.4 over 32 miles, including warm up. I followed a friend who drive a huge/stupid truck. I guess you could say he blocked the wind.

 

Agreed... anything over 63MPH or so and the MPG starts to drop off. I get over 40MPG at 60MPH.

I don't understand the gripe about the MT turning more RPM's than the AT. If you follow the MPG threads, the AT's are the ones getting consistently bad MPG (more than the usual 1-2 MPG hit that AT's usually take). So it seems to me that Honda got the gearing right on the MT's... it's the AT's that have less than optimal gearing. It's a 1.5 liter... it needs more RPM's to haul 2500lb along at 70MPH.

 

Correction. I was driving to work today and its right under 3500rpm at 70mph.

 

I know
I just wanted to show how Impressed I was...
In my old civic AT '01 coupe...when I had a trip from about the Getty Center-ish to Pedro it was one of the best uses of my CC ever and no traffic @ 2am...(and I have to go find it now) but it was slightly over 60mpg! I think it was like 61.8 or 62.4 (I will see if I can find it) I was a little over 60mph at CC with adjustments made down hill. I too was following a truck (semi, type) I had unfortunately over inflated tires, it was a somewhat normal temp...70ish maybe? no wind that I could see or feel, and it was one of the few times my car was not loaded with equipment/ projects, and my passenger seat was out (cuz i have to carry alot of stuff sometimes ...another reason why I got the Fit ) my car was about late 4-5 years old then...it felt like I was just sitting on a ball bearings . I suppose when you look at that commute it was slightly (in general down hill...sorta) bout 25-30mi? (sprinkle in a bit of luck)But I never came that close again...the rare highs from there and before then were like mid forties. but still ...too bad it was rare...did I mention rare? Hahahaaa Mostly that car got 26-32 mpg. And I was never able to get anything consistently

I really want to check out that scangauge though...
I wish my commutes were consistent....but something allways goes wrong here or I get the right foot itch.

Thanks for the link...it doesn't work for me...but I will just type it in or do a search to find it
thanks again...

 

Gear ratios are different. The MT revs higher in ALL speeds and all gears than the AT. The AT has 5 gears as well,remember.

 

Hey does anyone with a scan guage have these numbers for a MT??

 

It was always said back in the 70's that 55mph was the most economical speed. Lowered the speed limit back then due to the oil crisis.

 

i drive my auto fit at about 65 mph on highways. that keeps me aruond 3k rpm and nets me around 35-39 mpg.

 

It's hard to say, because cruising low speeds always gets better mileage than cruising at higher speeds. So if you want great mileage on the highway you must drive 5mph on the right lane hoping you don't get pulled over.

Anyway that dilemma is why I'm not going to answer the question. But I'd suggest the speed limit of 65mph. Here's something from the EPA site about how much mpg DROPS as you drive faster:
Tips to improve your Gas Mileage

BTW the reason the graph shows less mileages for low speeds is it assumes you only drive that slow in stop and go environments. It should be a straight decreasing graph if you're talking about cruising.

 

I have a SG but it's really hard to get a decent reason from the instant, Cars passing makes it swing, tail or head winds make it swing. It's almost impossible to take a decent and accurate reading ...for me..

That said I would have to saw between 35 and 40mph would be the best in a manual. Problem is even if you leave early it's hard to live in an area that you can go that slow in rush hr traffic. You'll get shot by a PO driver in a hurry.

For sure the MT Sport RPM'S are way higher

 

Touche mr. FIsTer

 

The automatic transmission can take advantage of higher gear ratios because of the torque converter. It acts sort of like a clutch that is always constantly slipping a bit.

Also, I don't know why so many people are RPM-phobic. Running at 3500 isn't going to hurt the engine. Hell, I'm not worried about cruising at 4000+ for a few hours on end.

 

Wow. It's too bad driving at 40mph on the highway isn't practical and is potentially dangerous. 47mpg, excellent! Just imagine the numbers if you could draft an 18-wheeler on a smooth, flat highway with a tail wind @ 40mph for a few hours.

 

i'd say you'd hit 50+ no problem....*goes find a giant semi to roll behind*

 

That seems to make sense from what I have noticed as well. I do 100% city and 35-45 is where its at and I have been getting stellar mpgs for city. Like 36mpg

 

the manual states (and also from personal experience) that after 75 km/hr (46.6 mph) wind resistance becomes a significant factor, so MAX mpg should be about 45 mph (using cruise control on a flat road)