dold@XReXXHXXCi.usenet.us.com wrote:
> jim beam <nospam@example.net> wrote:
>
>>dold@XReXXHXXCi.usenet.us.com wrote:
>
>
>>>Compared to a normal automatic, it really is an improvement.
>>>I've always thought that little four cylinder cars shouldn't come with
>>>automatics. They suck power,
>
>
>>that's a bold statement. you got any figures to back that up? you know
>>the honda "normal" automatic is _not_ a planetary gearbox don't you?
>
>
> I don't know what a planetary gearbox is.
>
> I am comparing my 2003 Civic Hybrid to a co-worker's 2003 Civic LX-auto.
> I accelerate more smoothly and quietly from a stop, at better speed under
> normal conditions. We weren't drag racing, but I was driving ahead of him,
> and he commented about how much faster I accelerated from a stop. If he
> made that comment, I assume he was pressing on the gas more than normal. I
> wasn't. Riding in his car, acceleration from stop sounds like it always
> has in little four cylinder cars with automatics. I don't like that sound.
> My Hybrid doesn't make that noise. I find that casual acceleration from a
> stop is at about 1500 RPM, just barely fast idle, and you either "glide" or
> "ooze" away from a stop.

you're talking apples & oranges. your vehicle is driven by an electric
motor - you don't have a variable ratio transmission because you don't
need it. the rpm's you're looking at are for the electric generator -
which is mechanically entirely separate from the mechanical drive - and
they stay fairly constant. why this is grounds to criticize variable
ratio transmissions is something you still have to explain.

>
> On open road, I typically step on the gas until I get to about 3000 RPM at
> 20mph, and then stay at 3000 RPM until the speed gets up to where I want it
> to be... 3000RPM can be well over 70mph. Then I back off the gas, and find
> myself crusing at 2000RPM at 60mph.
>
> ---
> Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA 38.8-122.5
>