My buddy's '97 Civic Si engine (Acura 1.6EL) won't ever lug in 5th as long as you're at 1500 rpm or higher. You don't have much power, but it definitely doesn't lug. I haven't yet noticed any vehicle that will lug at 1500 rpm or higher.
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My buddy's '97 Civic Si engine (Acura 1.6EL) won't ever lug in 5th as long as you're at 1500 rpm or higher. You don't have much power, but it definitely doesn't lug. I haven't yet noticed any vehicle that will lug at 1500 rpm or higher.
JHZR2
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my 83 MB diesel is at 3100 at 70 MPH... 228k miles and everything still original and giving 27-30 MPG.
JMH
JMH
I would refine that a bit, with the same objective in mind.
Lowest gear should be low enough for good off the line performance, starting on hills and a tolerable low speed idling along in traffic. Next to top gear should be geared to achieve maximum top speed. Top gear should be the tallest gear that the car can pull on about a 4% grade or a moderate headwind, or the ratio that gives optimum freeway speed fuel economy at 65-70 mph if the 4% grade criteria has the engine turning too slow for optimum economy.
Cheap cars could get by with a 5 speed, a 6 speed would be better.
With VVTi and such widening the power bands I figure the need for 6 speeds has actually decreased since the early 90s or so.
Supposedly gas engines reach their best volumetric efficiency when you're slightly lugging. My Dad's Escort 5 speed and my own Saturns have very tall 5th gears which I enjoy... knowing I have to knock down to 4th for most hills.
Had a hyundai accent, 2300 lbs like the saturn, but shorter gearing, and it got the same mileage albeit more zippily. So theory isn't everything. Incidentally while the car felt like it was loafing at 60-65, going 75, one could feel the aero drag really kicking in... reinforcing the need for that shortish ratio... noticing what XS650 noted above.
Supposedly gas engines reach their best volumetric efficiency when you're slightly lugging. My Dad's Escort 5 speed and my own Saturns have very tall 5th gears which I enjoy... knowing I have to knock down to 4th for most hills.
Had a hyundai accent, 2300 lbs like the saturn, but shorter gearing, and it got the same mileage albeit more zippily. So theory isn't everything. Incidentally while the car felt like it was loafing at 60-65, going 75, one could feel the aero drag really kicking in... reinforcing the need for that shortish ratio... noticing what XS650 noted above.
The Civic that we had needed a downshift if you let it drop to 60 mph on a hill, and friends said that it was spunkier than the econo boxes that they had. For reliability I think that it's better to let it rev a bit than to lug it.
Thats so you don't have to constantly downshift your Civic to 4th gear on the highway to pass a car or truck. Plus Honda feels most people don't drive 75-85 MPH that often for a long period of time, so engine noise isn't really a big concern.
You won't wear out your Civic's engine sooner just cause you are turning a slightly higher RPM on the highway. I too wished that 5th gear was taller on the Civic. (98 & 06 Civics in the family - both 5 speed)
You won't wear out your Civic's engine sooner just cause you are turning a slightly higher RPM on the highway. I too wished that 5th gear was taller on the Civic. (98 & 06 Civics in the family - both 5 speed)
I think either way the engine will last longer then most people will want to keep the car. the engine wearing out is the least of my concerns on a car's longevity.
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