In the owners manual of my 03 there is a chart that shows the most efficient speed/gear selection for best fuel economy. I don't remember exactly but it's something like:

1st gear - 1 to 15mph
2nd gear - 16 to 25mph
3rd gear - 26 to 40mph
4th gear - 41 to 47mph(?)
5th gear - 48 to 54mph(?)
6th gear - 55+mph

Going by those recommendations keeps the RPM's between 3-4k. So I would assume that you can run all day near 4k and get the best possible mileage. I would also assume that running below 3k will decrease mileage since it's not anywhere near the powerband where it operates most efficiently.

I also have a 96 vtec lude and no question about it the lude gets better mileage than the S no matter how hard or easy I drive them.

 

I never received my owner's manual. I forgot to ask the dealership for it, too. Oh, woe is me!

 

I downloaded the manual from a website. I'll try to find the link and post it.

 

On 2 lane back roads you should be able to break 30, if you can restrain yourself.

 

yeah seriously me too...shit all city with alittle highway mixed the last 4 times ive gotten around 17mpg and thats w/o revving it up..man i feel like im paying a crapload for gas compared to you guys lol

my best was 26 mpg all highway at around 60mph the first day i got the car ..not driving it hard lol

ive been taking gas mileage since i got the car too

 

Wrong. I shift at 3k all day long keeping the rpms around 2.5k rpm. Going 48-51mph in 6th keeps me around 2.8k rpm. I average 28 mpg mix driving.

 

i am using the wiki pic, my car is identical to it and my camera sucks so i used that. i was wondering when some one would notice, you win the prize


if it means anything i have parked my s in that exact spot

 

i get about 16mpg highway w/ my supercharged is300. so the s2k is already way better.

 

According to the manual you should be in 5th gear until 52 mph (NOT 54 mph like I posted earlier). You'll probably get better mileage that way. Below is text cut from the owners manual:

Drive in the highest gear that lets the engine run and accelerate smoothly. This will give you the best fuel economy and effective emissions control. The following shift points are recommended:

Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1st to 2nd 15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 25 mph (40 km/h)
3rd to 4th 40 mph (64 km/h)
4th to 5th 47 mph (75 km/h)
5th to 6th 52 mph (83 km/h)

But I'm not telling anybody how to drive or saying who's wrong or right - shift whenever you want to folks, the car is too fun to drive by the rules of efficiency. I'm just quoting the manual.

And here's a link for a 2008 owners manual if anyone needs it:
http://www.devicemanuals.com/guide/Automob...RBNU5qSXg=.html

 

Well thats the prob. I have a 00 not 08
I shall try shifting at 4k slowly to see if this theory is correct. I will be amazed if it is. If it does make my mpg go up then I will owe it all to you and then my car will get 30mpg mixed driving!