I am curious how often people drive in VTEC for any period of time as opposed to just VTECing upon acceleration. As well, I have a long commute and often debate between 5th (approx. 6000 rpm) and 6th (approx. 4500 rpm) and question whether people run 5th at higher revs for a long period of time and whether they have experienced any real gas mileage impact. The car obviously is more responsive crusing in the 5500 - 6000 rpm range, however, I am sensitive to any excessive load on the engine long-term.

Kevin

 

when I do "hardore " highway driving, I sometime stay in 5th for a long period : in Italy for example, the average speed on the left lane is 190-200kmh, and you always have an angry Audi or BMW behind you, so it's basically accelerations to 220-230kmh when the traffic gets lighter (the rev limiter in 5th is at 230), then engine braking when coming onto slower (160kmh!) traffic. So yes, I've driven the car in VTEC for few consecutive hours, and I can tell you that it's not good for gas consumption!!!
The worst I did was in france, when I emptyed a tank in 200kilometers (that was the day I did my best average speed between the english channel and paris : 300kms - 1h30minutes...)

 

I do it on occasion. Really depends on my mood. Sometimes I leave it just because I know I'll push the acceleration further.

 

190-200kmh = 118-124 mph
220-230kmh = 136 -142 mph
160kmh = 99mph
300kilometers = 186miles

 

Well since you asked, I don't think I've ever stayed in 5th gear longer than a second or two. I upshift right through it to 6th gear for crusing on the highway. I guess the reason being to save gas, save the engine, etc. And if I want acceleration, without fail I will always downshift to 4th for that. Freeway VTEC is amazing

 

If you are going 70mph, is it bad to downshift into 3rd gear??? Is it better to downshift to 4th gear???

 

Thanks for the conversion LE CAR....for those of us that are "challenged" by the metric system.... :-)

 

I normally leave it in 6th for freeway driving. at 65 - 70, the car still has enough torque in 6th to pass people easily.

on a few occassions (eg the clown in the ugly M class Benz won't let me out of the carpool lane) i have downshifted to 3rd and jumped to warp speed.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MDS2K
[B]If you are going 70mph, is it bad to downshift into 3rd gear???

 

I would do the same thing to 90 in 3rd