Hello, I'm considering buying a 08 LX sedan. When looking around the lot I noticed the automatic transmission gets better highway MPG then the manual. I was surprised by this. Can any one explain this? I've read the threads about gas mileage on these cars and it seems to very a lot depending on driving conditions. I'm currently driving a 92 LX sedan and getting on average 36 mpg 70/30 highway/city. Should I expect about the same from an 08?

Anything else I should know about when looking?

Thanks in advance

 

i asked the dealership the same question you have and they said that with the new cars or technology the automatic gets better mpg's. cant really explain it but

 

I'm finished with college so i could give a sh*t about "extensive research" but Edmunds.com, a very reliable source, lists the manual Si as getting 5 more MPGs in both categories as opposed to the auto. In addition, manuals are usually around a full K cheaper. Read the end of my signature, it says it all.

While i was waiting for Honda to rotate my tires i drove a brand new Accord V6 automatic (270 hp!!!) Did NOT impressive me. Terribly slow throttle response and no more kick then my Si with two bolt-ons. My buddy has an automatic Firebird, we never let him forget it.

Its just MY opinion but unless you have a bum left knee from football (i do but I man up and push through it during rush hour traffic) or your just plain lazy, manual F.T.W.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jaepalm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm finished with college so i could give a sh*t about "extensive research" but Edmunds.com, a very reliable source, lists the manual Si as getting 5 more MPGs in both categories as opposed to the auto. In addition, manuals are usually around a full K cheaper. Read the end of my signature, it says it all.

While i was waiting for Honda to rotate my tires i drove a brand new Accord V6 automatic (270 hp!!!) Did NOT impressive me. Terribly slow throttle response and no more kick then my Si with two bolt-ons. My buddy has an automatic Firebird, we never let him forget it.

Its just MY opinion but unless you have a bum left knee from football (i do but I man up and push through it during rush hour traffic) or your just plain lazy, manual F.T.W.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Doesn't sound very reliable to me if they say the SI comes in manual or automatic forms.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by a1staecksauce &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Doesn't sound very reliable to me if they say the SI comes in manual or automatic forms. </TD></TR></TABLE>


uh, whatever you say. Anyway Si only comes manual.

 

I'm thinking the difference in the automatic vs. the manual would have to do with a taller fifth gear or final drive. I don't know the ratios though so I couldn't tell you for sure. Honda is saying on there website that you'll get about 34 on the highway, which would be a far cry from the numbers you are currently seeing on your '92.

As far as the Si posting better numbers than any of the other Civics, I'd be extremely leery of that claim.

 

Well my guess is with the Auto aka Slushbox, they can control the points on where the shift points are and control it better versus a manual. I am surprised to see a slushbox get better mileage then a manual since the auto weighs more and uses more power then a manual. Since I bought a 08 Si Sedan because I wanted a manual and that is the best way to get because the car only comes with a manual.. Very similar to the Integra GSR, manual only!

Charlie

 

1 word. gears.

how many gears does the auto have and how many does the manual have? with lower gears, the higher speed your at, the higher rpms your at. with more gears, you can cruise at a lower RPM at higher speeds, thus giving you better gas mileage. 5 gears vs 6 gears. on the same motor, the one with more gears gets better gas mileage.

 

Si is geared for performance with a sixth long highway gear.

The gears are shorter otherwise.

The base auto has only 5 gears but gets much better economy due to the gear ratios.

 

I'm pretty sure that two of the five forward gears in the auto are overdrive gears, which should definitely make a difference. I'm also pretty certain that the manual's ratios are much shorter than the autos, which was mentioned above

 

yeah you should get about the same mpg with the 08 lx

 

most autos have better gear ratios for high speed cruising. The torque converter also locks up eliminating the loss in power. this usually gives them better gas mileage on the highway

 

let me tell you my expirience 94sol, I am FA Squad member 144 and i have and lx 4 door. It's an auto. and i made a mistake and now i wish i had a manual. im definetley a more spirited driver. so i now regret the decision i had made on the tranny. when i feel like stepping on the gas it's really annoying to know that i cant control the gears. i feel that my car is kinda gutless cause i cant control when to change up. so my point is, if you are a spirited driver like many other people on this forum, don't worry about the gas mileage so much cause it's really a miniscule difference. my words to you is just to get what you LIKE and you will definetley lower the chance for regrets ......I shoulda got the sunroof!!FAK ME!!!!

 

As stated already, it's nothing more than gearing. At 75 MPH, the automatic is turning around 2500RPM while the manual is close to 3500RPM. An automatic is less efficient than a manual but that difference is more than compensated for by the almost 1000 lower cruising RPM.

I originally wanted a manual mainly because they are less expensive. However, I drive 35000 or so miles a year, mostly interstate, and it only took about five minutes of the test drive to figure out that 3500RPM plus cruising would drive me nuts.

By the way, I average 38 to 40 MPG consistently (90/10 highway/city) cruising at 73 to 75MPH. My best has been almost 45 MPG on a trip that was mostly two lane country roads with a 55PM speed limit - I averaged 60 to 64MPH.