Both you and PS mentioned shifting too early. It certainly could be true
since the Owner's Manual lists "shift speeds for maximum efficiency", and
if you follow it you end up shifting from about 3k to 2k each time. I'll
try a tank or two shifting at their points.

For the record though, I'm not lugging it. I'm not interested in excessive
detonation pressure/fractured crowns and/or premature clutch wear!

....

I've been shifting earlier for two reasons: the first is the fairly well
known BMW report done some time back (that was a bit a of a surprise to
some folks) that said, as I understand it, without lugging it, maximum
efficiency is attained by shifting as early as possible. Previous to this,
apparently folks had thought the best thing to do was to wind it way up.
This updated philosophy seemed to have been adopted in the shift schedule
of my old 88 Camry - an efficiency aware car.

The second reason is that for me, shifting early is a way to keep the
responsiveness down a bit. This makes it less tempting to give it more gas
(since the response isn't very exciting anyway). Yeah, I should ease off,
but DAMN - I love the 3rd gear in this car all the way through the rpm
range, and 2nd gear at about 4k is pretty fun too.

So anyway, even though shifting early has improved the situation somewhat,
I'll try the shift points in the manual.

Thanks,
Arthur


Jafir Elkurd wrote:

> I'd make sure that you aren't shifting TOO early. Lugging an engine will
> give you worse fuel economy, not better. Also, when you change the plugs,
> use NGK or ND. And if you need to change the cap, rotor and wires use the
> Honda parts. (they are cheaper than the after market stuff and there won't
> be any question about too high of resistance). While you are adjusting the
> valves, pull the timing inspection plug out of the tranny and make sure the
> timing belt hasn't slipped a tooth. I'd also set the timing and base idle
> speed. Cleaning the throttle body couldn't hurt either. Also having the
> injectors cleaned, either on the car or off could make a large difference in
> mileage. I would think that car should get close to 30 MPG with a lot of
> highway driving.