1999 Accord V6 - typical revs and gas mileage

Have a few questions about typical experiences people have with the V6
accord of 98-02 vintage.

The car I drove a lot previously was a '97 Maxima. What I notice on the
Accord is that it will shift out of first gear around 3500, sometimed 4000
rpm under moderate acceleration. The 2nd to 3rd shift point is also pretty
high rev. The Maxima would never hold first or second over 3000, unless you
floor it. I realize I'm comparing different cars here, but just want another
person word that this is normal on the accord to rev higher. I'm guessing
Maxima has more low-rev torque, but just need reassurance, you know.

Also, what kind of mileage are people getting on the V6 accord in city
driving? I'm getting around 18 mpg in mostly city driving with sporadic A/C
use. Spec is 20, so it's not too far off, but would be interested to hear
others' experiences.

Thanks.

 

2000 Accord V6. Get about 24-26 mpg around the city, 28-31 highway
depending on how long I'm over 75-80.. Don't hot rod from a standing start,
generally slow steady acceleration
MLD

 

Thanks for response. Which city you live in?

That the thing though, I don't hot rod off a start, I get those shift points
just by trying to keep up with accelerating traffic around me, mostly cars
with weaker engines (4-cyl ones). I'm a little mystified at having to push
the V6 so much to keep up with a civic or a rav4, for example. (again, i'm
not talking about racing, just keeping up with regular people doing a
regular start off a light)

 

'99 V6... Tallahassee, FL
I have ~88k miles and have the same range in mileages, although I do hot rod
more than you. If I'm strictly highway speeds (80mph) with cruise on, I get
~34mpg.

I have no problem blowing away a RAV4 or civic. Hey... what's a RAV4 good
for?... not much. just kidding, I actually like them, just a bit pricey in
comparison to the Hondas.

Keith

 

About 10 mi. North of Boston. The car just perks along with power to spare.
If you have to push it then I'm inclined to think that you've got a problem
somewhere.
MLD

 

your engine shifts at higher revs because that's what it's programmed to
do - just a honda engineer decision you have to live with. the only way
to change it is to try and re-map the engine management computer. iirc,
the honda engine red lines about 1000 rpm more than the nissan, so as a
percentage of available revs, the shift pattern is not that different.

regarding comparative acceleration, fewer cylinders are not "weaker".
in fact, they're considerably more efficient [no flame war!] because
there's fewer moving parts. also consider the power/weight ratio - both
the civic & rav4 are light vehicles.

 

Yep, that's what it is.
Just to put my suspicions to rest, I got to drive a different '99 V6 today,
and pretty much confirmed what you're saying and what I thought - it's just
a different shift pattern.
I guess what threw me off is that the Accord transmission also shifts
crisper than Nissan's, accentuating the different shift pattern. Not that I
mind or anything - it's kinda cool to see the tach actually using more than
1/3rd of it's rangem, as long as it's normal behavior.

Re 4cyl cars - you may have a point. I drove a Matrix, and seemed quite
perky despite the smallish engine. I guess the Accord is pretty heavy after
all.

Thanks for your response.