Shouldn't make much different in city mileage, as it just means you will shift more frequently. The difference in highway is essentially what we're discussing here. If the mph/mpg curve inversion due to rich mixture is true, then AP1's may actually benefit from having gears in terms of highway cruising in 6th.

Of course this assumes that you don't drive any more aggressively than you did before. And if you're not going to drive more aggressively, why get gears?

-b

 

I kept mine (average) at 60 to 65mph for over 270 miles and got 33mpg.

 

Think about what the results might be and what conclusions you can draw. By keeping the engine a (relative) constant you are essentially just checking to see that drag and rolling resistance go up with speed.

What about keeping the speed constant and varying RPM? By driving say, 65mph in 4th 5th and 6th, you will see what engine efficiency does at different RPM's, and you'll be holding the drag and rolling resistance constant. That will let you prove that there is a most efficient RPM to drive at.

I hadn't thought it through all the way, but wanted to throw that out there to chew on.

-b

 

Yeah I was thinking about that as well. Though I am not entirely sure that certain gearing may create a better efficiency at overcoming drag. However i think that this test will not prove enough of a difference. I think I will try the 65 in each gear this weekend and possibly other tests at a later time (not for a while though as I am moving into a new house soon and will be quite busy on weekends for a while). Anyone else who would like to take up the burdon of some testing would be more than welcome to.

 

Last update for this thread.

Tried to conduct the above mentioned experiment this weekend, however on the return trip I got stuck in a traffic jam thanks to another stupid woman driver in a SUV who decided to hit 2 people. Didn't have time to do the entire trip again and so was unable to get anything useful.

I will not be able to do this experiment again for a few weeks as I will be moving into a new house and won't have much free time on the weekends since I will be doing some work on the house. Possibly this spring/summer I will try it again.

 

I get 40 smiles/gal so I'm good.

 

This is simply not true.

 

Lt. Colonel:

I don't mean to be insubordinate, as I was only a Captian, USAF. But my s2k DOES get better highway mileage at 85 to 90 than at 65. On my trips, I have established this time and again. I realize that it does not SEEM possible -- yet it is happening with my car.

I have no scientific explanation to offer. Why does my car do this? I have no idea. I just don't want to do anything to make it stop doing it.

Thanks,
Richard

 

How old are you, soldier? Kudos on making a captain of the USAF!

I don't doubt your experience. But from my personal experience with my other cars (and what I have read in articles), 80-90mph drinks more gas than 50-60. Maybe the S2000 is geared differently that may explain this difference. I also have no scientific explanation for this. At 90mph, one would think the drag coefficient and higher engine speed would result in higher fuel consumption. Maybe I should also test this theory, but I normally drive at 65mph on freeways, and I doubt I will take the S2000 on a long trip anytime soon unless I'm looking for lower-back pain.

 

I just drove from Tampa to Miami over the weekend. I had the top up and on the way down was doing 75-80mph the whole time and got 30mpg. Driving home i had the top up and was going 85-90mph and got 26mpg. I have been getting 26mpg around town also and i dont drive slow but i'm not always in vtec either.