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What rpm provides optimum fuel economy?

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Old 12-19-2000, 04:31 AM
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I haven't been **** about gas mileage since my VW Rabbit Diesel and Honda CRX-HF days but with premium gas at $1.65/gal here in NJ, I'm curious as to how high an mpg I can get from my car. It costs me about $25 to fill up and I do that about 3 times every two weeks or so.

I have an auto but I can still control the rpms well enough. It seems to me that the best fuel economy would be achieved at the lowest rpm possible in the highest gear. Unfortunately, it seems that this is at a speed of about 45mph.

Any comments?

Jim
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Old 12-19-2000, 05:26 AM
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Your findings are correct. At about 45 mph in OD, the engine is around 1100 rpm or so. This is where you will get your best mileage. But realistically, if you keep it below 3000 rpm while accelerating and cruising, you should still get decent mileage. The VQ engine seems to be quite thristy if you have a heavy foot
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Old 12-19-2000, 05:46 AM
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supercharged and you want good mileage?! hellooooo?!!!
hehe... i'm filling my gas tank once a week and it costs me $27!!!
Vic
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Old 12-19-2000, 06:22 AM
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Originally posted by Vic
supercharged and you want good mileage?! hellooooo?!!!
hehe... i'm filling my gas tank once a week and it costs me $27!!!
Vic

Sure why not? The SC only kicks in above 2500rpms, so below that the car is stock except for a slight parasitic drain from the SC.

Don't worry, once you get used to the car, you won't be stomping on it all the time like you are now...and don't think that I don't know that you are! Have you gone for a custom CAI yet? I need to just go out and do it!

Jim
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Old 12-19-2000, 06:52 AM
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geez

i am paying $35 a week for my car..
i'm NA.. of course i drive 400 miles a week but still ..

jim i don't think driveing at 1100 rpm or 2000 rpm in fourth gear will make THAT much difference in mpg ..
if you really want to save gas tho it's easy
just follow these simple steps
1) take off your S/C
2) give it to me
3) take off those heavy rims
4) give them to me
5) sine i'm a nice guy i'll take off my CAI and give it to you
6) put my CAI on your car .. it give better mpg..

See .. problem solved...

Ant
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Old 12-19-2000, 07:14 AM
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Old 12-19-2000, 09:29 AM
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Originally posted by deathwish

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Darn, you beat me to it.

JJW, that's a great price for 93! Around here I think the lowest price is `$1.80/gallon. Maybe you need to buy a commuter car....
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Old 12-19-2000, 10:26 AM
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Originally posted by UMD_MaxSE
Your findings are correct. At about 45 mph in OD, the engine is around 1100 rpm or so. This is where you will get your best mileage. But realistically, if you keep it below 3000 rpm while accelerating and cruising, you should still get decent mileage. The VQ engine seems to be quite thristy if you have a heavy foot
err.. try again!

you don't want to lug the engine at 1100 rpm. 2200-2400 is going to be a better place for a 3.0 L V-6 engine, top gear, cruising speed. The optimal point would be to cruise at the rpm where the torque curve begins to climb.
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Old 12-19-2000, 10:46 AM
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The best I've beena ble to manage was 34+mpg on the maxima... steady cruise at 70-75 with no sudden slamming of the gas. That's over 500miles per tank.

-Shing
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Old 12-19-2000, 10:49 AM
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Originally posted by Shingles
The best I've beena ble to manage was 34+mpg on the maxima... steady cruise at 70-75 with no sudden slamming of the gas. That's over 500miles per tank.

-Shing
and we always thought the commercial was lying.
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