I use the HCH-1, I'll accelerate at about 2000-2200. That seems to be the efficiency sweetspot for the engine, as the CVT tries its best to hold the engine there where possible. Also, if I'm coming from a red light, and about to go into a downhill, the best strategy seems to be to accelerate quickly, then cut the throttle and let gravity work, rather than accelerating gradually and burning gas much of the way down.

One situation where fast acceleration is definitely best is just before a hill climb from a stop. If you have a straightaway, is to use as much acceleration as necessary to get up to speed, or slightly faster than your ultimate desired speed, before getting onto the incline, then allow it to slowly bleed off as you go up. That seems to be much better than not being at speed and having to accelerate while one the incline, which will usually force you way past the engine's efficient RPM range for a long time.

 

I'll be interested to hear your results. It's not a hard-n-fast rule, more of a guideline that has to be adapted to the circumstances, as double-trinity pointed out. When I'm city driving, I always try to plan ahead, predicting where my next forced slow/stopping point will be. Then I try to accelerate so that I'll spend most of it in cruise and/or glide, but without exceeding 2500 RPM (usually 2000 unless that would cause me to hold up traffic).

 

I pretty much do what you do. My acceleration RPMS were generaly between 1200 and 1500 (depending on how flat or sloped the road was).

 

**** straight! I believe all hondas are tuned so that 2000 RPMS will always be the sweet spot, its just purrs so nicely at that speed. That's how I get $18cnd fill ups when my gas gauge shows its half/full empty. But I blame it all on bad weather at the moment. Its a personality trait that Honda has established on all their cars.

Phil (17km/L) last tank (tires at 48 psi front 45 back no spare, might get one...)

 

If there's nobody behind I'll accelerate from a stop surfing the edge to keep Assist barely on until about 30MPH, then back off to 60MPG and accelerate from there, given a fairly level surface.

Most of the hills in my area are staircased- A fairly level area leads to a hill, then to another flat area then another hill...either going up or down.

If a stop sign begins one of these staircases I'll accelerate at a fairly good pace while on the level, and hold my accumulated speed up the hill until the next level area where I'll accelerate again to the next uphill, where I'll hold it again. Whenever possible I don't accelerate on hills.

Once up to speed I drive with the load and maximize any downhill opportunity.

The one and only time I use the RPM gauge is before shutting down for FAS, where I make sure it drops to ~800RPM before shutting down to avoid the ping of unburned gasses igniting in my exhaust system upon restart.

 

arrg. Today I only got 45mpg More testing needed I think.