Read some other posts where people say they shift at 4000-5000 RPMs during normal acceleration. That seems a little high to me, I shift between 3000-3500 RPMs during normal acceleration. Also, if I'm cruising at anything above 40 MPH, I stay in 5th gear. Basically I try to stay in as high a gear as possible but still maintain at least 2000 RPMs on level roads. I have never heard the motor lug but was wondering if I should cruise at higher RPMs in lower gears given the R's higher revving engine and close ratio tranny? I know I baby it too much.

 

Nothing really wrong with revving it low, but to me the car feels more in its element above 3000 RPM. When cruising, i try to keep it between 3 and 4 grand (obviously this is impossible when highway driving, since 5th is so short)...more spirited driving takes me to either about 6 grand, or all the way up Drive however makes you comfortable.

 

I normally shift around 5K, depending on the gear.

 

I think the key word here is "normal". If you want to maximize your fuel economy and minimize the strain on the engine, then do what you're doing - keep it in the highest gear possible without lugging the engine. If you want to maximize acceleration, then keep it in the lowest gear possible without exceeding the redline.

My normal acceleration on the track is to use the lowest gear, and on the street is to use the highest gear unless I'm in a situation where I need a bit more responsiveness. But I wouldn't make a habit of keeping the revs high just for the sake of doing so.

 

I think if you shift at the points that Acura/Honda recommends it would be good. I think most of the speeds they give to upshift at are around 4K on the ITR... I know on my Accord they are around 3K... they say to "maxamize fuel economy and reduce emmissions" shift at the recommended speeds. Check it out in the manual. But when trying to beat out that guy at the toll GO FOR VTEC!!!

 

These engines are built tough. They really are, so I dont really think it matters if you wanna drive it rough or baby it. After 150,000 miles, you will either be sick of the car or looking for a new one. It would take that amount of miles for you to start seeing the difference of how you treated the car if not more... There is no normal way for me to drive. If I am lazy, I drive on high gears low RPM, if I am in the mood to "drive" I keep it on low gears high RPM for the responsiveness....
So I guess it depends on if I am lazy or not....or if I am running outta gas, I drive slow on low RPMS...

 

I shift around 4 to 5 during "normal" driving

 

You can drive these things at 3000rpm?!?!? Mine is never under 3500...never.

 

I consider between 2-3k good for simply cruising on a level road. Maybe I'm just used to driving other cars. For example, a lot of my driving consists of long roads where I sit in 5th and vary speed between 40-50 mph and RPMs between 2-3k. Just to make sure, lugging the motor is when you hear that gurgling sound right? Thanks for the input.