What low RPM range is considered bad to drive within? And what problems might associate with it over time?
If you dont understand, What I mean is that I know some people that shift gears early to land in low rpms like around 1.5K, what I want to know is, is it bad to drive on low rpms/shift early a lot? and what problems that might cause.

 

better gas mileage.

 

at heavy loads like high mph but with low rpm it can lead to engine failure.
so dont do a 5th gear pull starting at 1500rpm w/ 3 fat chicks in the car.

 

Since most people over rev, the answer would be no. But it depends on the engine & trans (car).

On my 5spd Civic, I just don't feel confortable shifting below 2K, to avoid stress and overload in just about all daily situations.

On my SE-R Spec V, the 6spd was short, and the 2.5L had a lot of torque. I could skip gears and able to move the car well for DD just below 2K. It was a car I never felt I was in the wrong gear because the size of the engine.

 

Honda's have very low torque, generally anything below 3K, maybe even 2.5K is not worth driving at. I try to cruise at about 3K, shift at about 2.25K and 4.5K.

 

I usually try to shift at or right before 3k and try to keep revs above 2.5k while normal driving.

 

for the low gears for my DD driving I shift at around 1.5-2K with out pushing it...I mean if you feel the car troque then you can economize on the amount of clutch engage and riding the clutch... but if you try to push the car in higher gears with the rpm lingering around 1.5k - 2k range then you are looking at upsetting the valve timing and might overloading the engine and cause all the valve to loose its setting and might look at a valve adjustment sooner....or you might even blow a cam on the valve... so feel the power of the car if you have pulled enough and feel that you need to change gears then do it ASAP without reving the rpm too high.....if you master this art you will avoid over working of the engine and at the same time increase you MPG....it is easire to rev the egine and drive hard but very very difficult to find that right economical piont where you starin the engine as less as possible and get the best grea changes......basically dirve like a wuss.....but at time you need that extra push...well thats what we bought the stick shift for correct.......

 

strain on the engine..(forcing that shyt).

 

I shift at ~1,600rpm around town.

 

just dont ever lug the motor thats bad for it, unecessary wear, if your not lugging your good

 

I usually shift around 8500 rpm. Sometimes I shift at 8k just to remember how it feels to shift like everyone else's SI's

 

I shift around 4000 0r 45000 rpm's when drivin smooth and normal, when im pushin i shift like at 7500 or 8000 rpm's

 

weird, I usually shift @ 2500rpm driving around town, keeping the engine purring along around 2-2.5k is common for me. I only ever get up to 3500 on the highway. I'm savin' on gas y0!

 

. Yeah but u habe an lv so thats about right to be drivin at the rpm ratio for that car..

 

I meant to type lx model.. Typin too quick..lol

 

Agreed

 

You really like to brag about your precious turbo alot don't you?

You don't comprehend very well....do you!?!

 

Naw man, you should shift at 9500 if you want to go fast.

 

x2

 

From the Owner's Manual:

For the regular 2008 Civic:
1st to 2nd @ 15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd @ 27 mph (43 km/h)
3rd to 4th @ 39 mph (63 km/h)
4th to 5th @ 53 mph (85 km/h)

Civic Si:
1st to 2nd @ 17 mph (27 km/h)
2nd to 3rd @ 29 mph (47 km/h)
3rd to 4th @ 37 mph (60 km/h)
4th to 5th @ 43 mph (69 km/h)
5th to 6th @ 49 mph (79 km/h)

By shifting at 1600 rpm you could be hurting economy
since the engine is not operating in its "powerband."

It seems like Honda engineers want non-Si Civics cruising between at least 1800-3000 rpm,
since following those shift schedules I don't drop below 1800 rpm, after a shift.

With my ScanGauge II, fuel economy is typically lower while accelerating below 2000 rpm,
(plus the engine sounds like crap accelerating at low rpm; ooo-OOOah-ummm-wwwWAAAH! ).

*That being said, I don't mind the rpm's around 1500 rpm if I'm cruising downhill, or driving under 50 mph on level ground and maintaining speed.

 

Honda recommends the shift points it does for not only smooth engine operation,
but also so the emissions equipment operate properly.

(according to the Owner's manual, in case you were interested)