Why I said what I had said is because the areas I drive in have inclines here and there, so I stick with the lower gears. But that said, I would have thought that the consumption would balance out simple because:

Lower gear - Slightly higher rpm - Easier to power up

Higher Gear - Lower RPM - need to give more gas to "speed up"

I was basing "engine speed" against "giving more gas".

 

Speaking of which, whats this I hear about the mivec engine 'kicking in'? When you hit a certain speed, the engive revs up the car even more? As you can see I didn't do a ton of research, as to what the Mivec engine actually does... anyone care to explain?

 

Its a form of variable valve timing (like Honda's VTEC), which really just means the engine produces more horsepower once you give it the gas and reach past 3,500 rpm.

If you floor it in you're car you'll feel when it engages, although I'm not sure when the automatic shifts but I'm sure its around 6k or so if you're flooring it.

EDIT: here's a video explaining it if you care http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgDdbrMh6bo

 

like chris said, its a form of variable timing of the intake, and exhaust valves on our engine. The true trigger of it isn't speed or even rpm. Your engine engages mivec based on the oil pressure, the trigger occurring @ 3500 for the 2004 RA, and @4000 for the 05-06 RA, the difference being on is simply delayed for better highway mileage.

The engine doesnt "rev" more, it just operates at a much more efficient rate producing more power.

 

wow.. only 400 in the city thomar? I can do 500 in the city pretty much all the time... on the track is a different story... lol.. i did about 100 km worth of track on half a tank =P

 

damn thats some bad gass millage

 

I dont like how the tranny is geared for highway driving.
It really needed a 6th gear.

 

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