Difficulty keeping 5 sp @ 65 mph

3844 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by mjrogers, Apr 8, 2003

mjrogers

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2003

I love my new insight, but seriously miss cruise control

. I try to keep my silver spacepod at the speed limit, but have 2 challenges.

1. It wants to zoom. When going flat or downhill this light, spunky thing wants to fly :twisted: .

2. On the inclines I either overanticipate and overshoot, or not anticipate enough and slowly lose 'altitude. :? '

I believe it may be related to old habits of getting it in 5th gear and keeping it there. Should I be going into 4th when anticipating an incline? My daily route is fairly flat. I commute between Davis & Sacramento: the flatter part of the Sacramento Valley. Most of my 'hills' are man made bridges over rivers, duck flyways/rice farms, and interstates.

I am not capable of installing a second party cruise control. Has anyone had success having Honda install one?

Is there something about my driving habits that I can change?

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jameskb

· #13 · Apr 5, 2003

mjrogers said:
believe it may be related to old habits of getting it in 5th gear and keeping it there. Should I be going into 4th when anticipating an incline? My daily route is fairly flat. I commute between Davis & Sacramento: the flatter part of the Sacramento Valley. Most of my 'hills' are man made bridges over rivers, duck flyways/rice farms, and interstates.
...
Is there something about my driving habits that I can change?

mjrogers;
I started a new thread that might be of some help to you, "Denying the Diamond". I've found on a low-speed (30-50mph) hilly 2-lane section of the daily commute, if I drop down to 4th gear and just drive while ignoring the upshift diamond, I get BETTER mileage, not worse....

During deceleration, the diamond goes out, regeneration kicks in, and I don't have to touch the brakes at all to slow down reasonably quickly. But if I need to accelerate, I can also do so without dropping mileage too bad or commanding too much assist from the electric motor.

I put this observation to the group because it contradicts some of what's in the mileage FAQ. So I am not sure what to think just yet and would like to hear about the experiences of others...

Please note that I'm driving around on 50psi in the tires, and I check 'em about every three days now. I have one tire that'll lose air quickly and just one low-pressure tire will kill your mileage handily.

Try it out on your next trek through your hilly route: drop to 4th, ignore the diamond and drive for maximum mpg. Please let us know how you do.

JKB

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