Low or high gear?

[BlackGuy'sHonda]

I have been noticing my gas has been running out pretty fast. I live in the city so it's a lot of stop and go read traffic. I was wondering if I drove at a higher gear would that somewhat help me save more gas?

[copbait]

well, stop and go isn't the best for mileage. And a honda totally shines on the interstate with 30-35 mpg's. but a general rule of thumb is the lower your rpms, the less gas you will burn. picture someone on a bicycle. if that person is pedaling his a$$ off then he is working alot harder so keep his speed up. maybe now is good time for a tune up. plugs, wires, air filter, and a big one, check your tire pressure. 35 lbs. is most commonly used but personally I prefer 40 lbs. i touch of a stiffer ride but less resistance and your car will roll more easily.

[Losiracer2]

well using a higher gear at speed will use less mileage, granted the power need is not there. When you do a lot of city driving, you do a lot of accelerating. I would try to make your car have more bottom end torque somehow. That would get rid of the need to lay into the gas pedal, then you'd use less fuel.

[deevergote]

I can barely understand ANY of the posts in this thread... please read what you type to make sure it makes sense before hitting that "submit" button!

Keep your RPMs between 2000 and 3000. Don't accelerate quickly. Cruise in the highest gear possible that will keep the RPM over 2000.

[BlackGuy'sHonda]

Thanks a lot guys. The use of the bicycle really made the most since if you think outside the box. Yea I think it is about time to do a nice tune up anyway. I'm not too sure how long ago it was done by the previous owner.

[evil_demon_01]

The ECU has fuel compensation from the main map for different gears.
Personally mine is set at:

+9% for 1st gear
+1% for 2nd gear
-2% for 3rd gear
-3% for 4th gear
-6% for 5th gear


Those figures will vary between ecus - depending on the engine and gearbox the ecu was designed for.

So you will get better mileage being in a higher gear - But only in ideal conditions

EG - If you cruise around in 5th @ 1500rpm giving it 3/4 throttle to maintain speed, you will use more gas than if you were in 3rd just cruising.

[evil_demon_01]

but a general rule of thumb is the lower your rpms, the less gas you will burn. picture someone on a bicycle. if that person is pedaling his a$$ off then he is working alot harder so keep his speed up.

That's not really true.
Even as a "General rule of thumb" - It only applies within "Ideal" conditions.

Imagine a mountain bike with 18 gears:
Put one bike on the slowest speed gear, but the easiest effort.
Put the other bike on the fastest speed gear, but the most effort.

Now come up to a hill - Who has to do more work?
The person who is able to pedal faster with less effort will do less work.
Rather than the person who pedals slower with more effort.