+1

 

I have often wonder about this too, though I don't remember what rpm I shift (meaning I probably don't care all that much lol)

But I know some people shift pretty early to 2nd gear after rolling, would this be more or less efficient? I would have thought since the S2000 has so little torque it would require more work on the gas pedal after shifting.

Check this out, this guy shifts pretty early and frequently...wonder if this is good for city driving?
[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msrd1kqAVN4[/media]

 

On a cold start, I make sure to shift it at 6K or higher. Warms the car up faster too.

 

+2 - You wouldn't put a bicycle in high gear when you're trying to go up a hill.

 

Gas isn't consumed based off rpm, it's consumed via throttle input. You'll actually use more gas at lower rpm cruising because you'll have to give it more throttle to accelerate at 2500 rpms than say 4500. I shift at 5k

 

Hmm more revolutions means more cycles means more intake stroke means more power stroke. More is more you wont get less with more input.

I think you are trying to explain power efficiency and it is possible to have bad efficiency at low rpm. But more goes into your and my statement.

 

After only owning this car for a couple weeks, and driving it less than a handful of times, I find that I am shifting really early as well.

Mainly because the Invidia N1's are so loud that 5k+ sounds like it's screaming. Even when I hit Vtec I find myself shifting at 7k just because it feels so weird coming from a car that redlines at 6.5k.

 

Your statement is correct assuming you want to accelerate at the same rate from both of those RPMs. I'm aware of the throttle determining how much fuel is being spent. My question pertains more to where in the powerband is the most economical to shift at, which is more related to the gearing than throttle position.

 

5k for me. 6.5k if i wanna make the car backfire lol.

 

Are we talking accelerating or cruising? Those are very different, and I believe the manual gives suggested speeds for both.

For normal, gradual accelerating, I upshift at about 3k. You don't need more for gentle acceleration, the gears are short, and it doesn't bog the engine. When settling into a steady cruise on flat ground, I keep the rpms at about 2k. I usually get about 23-24mpg city and 29-31mpg highway.

Of course, more spirited acceleration involves much higher rpm.
This is simply not true. The reason cars have higher/longer gears for freeway cruising is because it minimizes pumping losses when the throttle is open more. Higher revs and less throttle generally uses more gas than lower revs and more throttle to maintain a given speed. Otherwise the most efficient way to cruise at 40mph would be 9k rpm in 1st... does that sound accurate? Just think of the Viper - it has an extremely long 6th gear (something like 1400rpm at 60mph) because it has the torque to pull it and that maximizes gas mileage from the huge 8L+ V10.