I test drove the new Accord EXL V6 a few days ago, and was surprised to find the tach reading almost 2300 RPM at 60 mph. My present vehicle also has a V6 with 6spd auto and the tach reads only 1800 RPM at 60 mph. I then test drove the 190 hp 4cyl EXL to compare - and with the smaller engine, it only tach at 2100 at 60 mph. With a 268 hp 3.5 V6, this Honda should not tach over 1800 to 1900 rpm at 60 mph. Anyone have any idea why this engine spins up to 2300 rpm at 60 mph? Thanks

because that's how the geared the car. it is geared differently than the 4cyl.

The new 08 V6 does have more power so it doesn't really surprise me all that much. It's all in the gears.

In my '06 V6 I am right around 2,000 around 60-70 mph (can't really remember exactaly).

6 speed auto should rev less then the 5speed auto.

probably the VCM in 3/4 cyl mode it makes less torque than the normal I4, so they had to gear it lower to allow you to maintain freeway speeds when VCM is active.

Just a thought, was it fully warmed up, I would guess yes and I also would guess that you went faster than that and it should definitly be in OD and lock up. You would have to drive slowly (regular) up to the higher speeds and watch the tach drop for each shift, OD and lock up to verify that its all working.

The reason I asked is some cars wont go into OD too soon to force the engine to heat up sooner so it will produce less emissions sooner. I dont know what Hondas with late model cars, I just get JDM second hand me downs to play with.

I have an 08 EX-L V6. I recorded the following data using cruise control on the freeway:

MPH RPM
60 2100
65 2300
70 2400
75 2650
80 2800

Obviously its not perfect but thats the best I could read the gauge. But my car seems to be geared a little taller than the one you drove.

6 speed auto should rev less then the 5speed auto.
The only auto being sold in the US right now is the 5-speed auto. Sorry, there's no 6-speed automatic for the 8th gen accord (altho Camry has it). (edited: I just noticed the O/P didn't specify which car he was talking about re. the 6-speed auto)

Thanks for listing your tach readings on your new 08 V6 Accord. Interesting comparison in engine rpm at diff speeds.

The vehicle I presently drive has a 'smaller' 3.0 V6.....but does have a 6 spd auto tran. At 60 (yours 2100) mine 1800, at 65 (yours 2300) mine 1950, at 70(yours 2400) mine 2100, 75 (yours 2650) mine 2150, 80 (yours 2800) mine 2300.

Quite a difference in engine wear and tear over time. With the larger 3.5 V6 in the Accord, even with the 5 spd auto, I would have thought the rpm readings would have been closer to mine given my smaller displacment engine.

Perhaps, as another one pointed out, the increased engine rpm is due to the cylinder cutout feature - requiring additional rpm to compensate for the lower displacement when runing on less than 6 cyl. ????????

I agree that the higher RPM in the 08 must have something to do with the fact that it runs on 3 or 4 cylinders part of the time. Maybe they just couldn't squeeze enough power out of 3 or 4 cylinder operation at the lower RPM. Thats the only explanation that makes any sense.

I don't know what is wrong, but my 09 Accord EXL-V6 runs on the same 2100rpms @60mph. My tank barely lasts for 280 miles, mostly for 260 m.
I ready that rpms should be under 2000 at 60mph and today I was driving Lexus RX350 and at speed of 60mph it was showing 1800rpms, Lexus RX350 has the same engine size 3.5L and about the same horse power 275hp vs 271 my accord does. And Lexus weight is double of my accord!!! Only at 70mph is was showing 2200rpms. It says something either wrong with Honda or a tranny issue.

Hopefully you used the search feature to find a post over 3 years old.

I test drove the new Accord EXL V6 a few days ago, and was surprised to find the tach reading almost 2300 RPM at 60 mph. My present vehicle also has a V6 with 6spd auto and the tach reads only 1800 RPM at 60 mph. I then test drove the 190 hp 4cyl EXL to compare - and with the smaller engine, it only tach at 2100 at 60 mph. With a 268 hp 3.5 V6, this Honda should not tach over 1800 to 1900 rpm at 60 mph. Anyone have any idea why this engine spins up to 2300 rpm at 60 mph? Thanks

What gear were you driving in?

Hopefully you used the search feature to find a post over 3 years old.

Totally lame.

If the topic is relevant to the poster's issue, why does it matter how old the thread is?

Totally lame.

If the topic is relevant to the poster's issue, why does it matter how old the thread is?

As if my reply to your question would make a difference or matter? Then what would you say?

Obviously you failed to get the point of my post .. which was just to point out the fact that if he is having issues with high rpm's, and he found a post relating to his issue .. then he knows how to use the search feature, unlike the 100's of noobs who join the forum and post the same questions that are asked day by day by day ..

And it was meant to be a joking sort of post .. beings that if he didn't use the search feature, he had to look through over 3 years of posts to find this topic.

Now .. anymore questions?

None of you would've probably even looked at the date of this thread if I didn't point it out. A person with 3 posts since joining in 2007 .. I'd doubt he is even still around to answer such replies or has probably already gotten his answer.

There is no issue here, this is how the 5 spd auto is geared on the v6. We are deeply sorry the car did not tach at your preconceived notions and that it was above your previous car. Again, nothing wrong here. You are comparing apples to oranges.

I realize this is a three year old post and that perhaps Okani didn't realize it. That appears to be his first post. (Welcome Okani!)
According to this Road and Track information:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/content/download/66939/1719142/version/3/file/RT_2008-Honda-Accord-Coupe_data.pdf

the 6MT cranks 2,150 rpm @ 60 mph. So, 2,100 rpm is pretty much dead on correct. With regard to the Lexus, the Accord 5A cranks only 1,800 rpm @ 60 mph. It's the same. For some irritating reason, most car manufacturers gear manual trannies to crank more rpm on the highway.

why does RPM's matter anyway! if your looking at the rpm's on the V6 auto then your not thinking about performance at all. your just wondering about MPG. its gets 28-29 on the auto for the v6. I have the 6peed manual. it revs higher than you guys can think off... but on highway speeds of 60-70. no need to down shift at all on hills. (modded too much for the auto's)

I realize this is a three year old post and that perhaps Okani didn't realize it. That appears to be his first post. (Welcome Okani!)
According to this Road and Track information:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/content/download/66939/1719142/version/3/file/RT_2008-Honda-Accord-Coupe_data.pdf

the 6MT cranks 2,150 rpm @ 60 mph. So, 2,100 rpm is pretty much dead on correct. With regard to the Lexus, the Accord 5A cranks only 1,800 rpm @ 60 mph. It's the same. For some irritating reason, most car manufacturers gear manual trannies to crank more rpm on the highway.


Hi, are you talking about the 5AT v6? Mine is 2100rpm at 60 mph :( I thought that was normal?

Hi, are you talking about the 5AT v6? Mine is 2100rpm at 60 mph :( I thought that was normal?

I referred to the 6MT. To the best of my knowledge, the 5A should be lower, like about 1,850rpm @ 60 mph. As point of reference, let me use Honda's website:

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-coupe/specifications.aspx

If you look at the specs for the transmissions, you'll note that the 6MT uses a 3.55 final drive and a .771 gear ratio for 6th gear, making the end gearing 2.73. (That is also confirmed in the RoadandTrack link in my other post.) However, the 5A uses a 4.44 final drive and a .537 gear ratio for 5th gear, making the end gearing 2.38.

If this doesn't mean much to you, the lower the number, the lower the highway rpm (provided the tire size is equal). Based on the RoadandTrack information, we know the 6MT cranks 2,150rpm @ 60 mph. Based on the Honda specifications, we know that the 5A is geared 12.8% lower than the 6MT. In turn, that means the 5A should crank about 1,874 rpm @ 60 mph.

^^ never paid attention but I think you are right with your assessment, at 60 the rpm needle is just barely on the 2k line

my 09 v6 ex-l coupe i know is over 2,000rpms at 60 mph . . . . . not sure how mcpdjohn is getting 2100 rpms @ 60 mph . . . . . i swear my car sits at a higher rpm but maybe the sedan and coupes are geared differently.

So the higher the rpm the more gas you burn?

So the higher the rpm the more gas you burn?

It takes more gas to maintain higher rpm. My I4 sedan is exactly 2000 rpm at 60 mph

I referred to the 6MT. To the best of my knowledge, the 5A should be lower, like about 1,850rpm @ 60 mph. As point of reference, let me use Honda's website:

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-coupe/specifications.aspx

If you look at the specs for the transmissions, you'll note that the 6MT uses a 3.55 final drive and a .771 gear ratio for 6th gear, making the end gearing 2.73. (That is also confirmed in the RoadandTrack link in my other post.) However, the 5A uses a 4.44 final drive and a .537 gear ratio for 5th gear, making the end gearing 2.38.

If this doesn't mean much to you, the lower the number, the lower the highway rpm (provided the tire size is equal). Based on the RoadandTrack information, we know the 6MT cranks 2,150rpm @ 60 mph. Based on the Honda specifications, we know that the 5A is geared 12.8% lower than the 6MT. In turn, that means the 5A should crank about 1,874 rpm @ 60 mph.



Thanks for the detailed reply. It certainly makes a lot of sense, however I can't help but recall several 5AT v6 users all getting close to 2100rpm at 60mph. I could be wrong but I don't think , in practice, ive heard anyone claim to get below 2k rpm at that speed. Maybe there is some other factor that is contributing?

It takes more gas to maintain higher rpm. My I4 sedan is exactly 2000 rpm at 60 mph

Oh ok thank you.

It does not necessarily true that higher engine rpms equal more fuel consumption. Engine load plays a more important roll than rpm. A lightly loaded engine at higher rpm can easily burn less fuel than a heavily loaded lower reving engine. Gearing is calculated for loads as well as optimum rpm to carry that load.

As an example, when I pull my fifth wheel trailer with my 3/4 ton pickup truck (about 12,000 lbs), I will get better fuel mileage in third gear (regular drive) as opposed to overdrive at 60 mph. Rpm's are higher, but the load on the engine, being in it's power band, is less.

It does not necessarily true that higher engine rpms equal more fuel consumption. Engine load plays a more important roll than rpm. A lightly loaded engine at higher rpm can easily burn less fuel than a heavily loaded lower reving engine. Gearing is calculated for loads as well as optimum rpm to carry that load.

As an example, when I pull my fifth wheel trailer with my 3/4 ton pickup truck (about 12,000 lbs), I will get better fuel mileage in third gear (regular drive) as opposed to overdrive at 60 mph. Rpm's are higher, but the load on the engine, being in it's power band, is less.

Great comment Diamond. And what that implies is that the heavier load requires the driver to use a generous amount of throttle to produce the required power. By stepping on the gas, you open the throttle plate and change the dynamics of the engine. With the throttle plate open, you automatically reduce pumping losses. Pumping losses become almost the same at 1,800 rpm or at 3,500 rpm. (Normally that is not the case.) With pumping losses out of the equation, fuel efficiency is determined mostly by the shape of the torque curve. Under heavy load, an engine will get better mileage near the rpm it achieves its peak torque.

Under light load, torque is not as much of issue and pumping losses have a much greater impact on fuel consumption. Pumping losses, by the way, relate to the vacuum that exists inside the intake manifold. The higher the vacuum, the more the engine must work to inhale air. The vacuum is directly related to how much the throttle plate is open. If the throttle plate is closed, there is a lot of vacuum. If the throttle plate is open, there is little vacuum.

This all relates to VCM. Under light load, we use practically no throttle, which results in high pumping losses and less than ideal fuel efficiency. For example, to maintain 65 mph on the highway, the engine may only need to produce 20 hp. To produce 20 hp from the 3.5 liter engine, the throttle is cracked open just a tiny bit and pumping losses are very high. That's when VCM kicks in and turns the 3.5 liter engine into a 1.75 liter engine (3 cylinders).

The entire point of VCM is to make the engine strain. With less displacement at work, those three cylinders must work much harder (individually burn more fuel) to produce that 20 hp. As a result, the computer must open the throttle plate more to provide those 3 cylinders with more air. The instant the computer opens the throttle plate, the pumping losses drop and the engine gets better mileage. But that only works under light load.

I referred to the 6MT. To the best of my knowledge, the 5A should be lower, like about 1,850rpm @ 60 mph. As point of reference, let me use Honda's website:

http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-coupe/specifications.aspx

If you look at the specs for the transmissions, you'll note that the 6MT uses a 3.55 final drive and a .771 gear ratio for 6th gear, making the end gearing 2.73. (That is also confirmed in the RoadandTrack link in my other post.) However, the 5A uses a 4.44 final drive and a .537 gear ratio for 5th gear, making the end gearing 2.38.

If this doesn't mean much to you, the lower the number, the lower the highway rpm (provided the tire size is equal). Based on the RoadandTrack information, we know the 6MT cranks 2,150rpm @ 60 mph. Based on the Honda specifications, we know that the 5A is geared 12.8% lower than the 6MT. In turn, that means the 5A should crank about 1,874 rpm @ 60 mph.

don't forget the gear ratio's were lowered in 2011 , so if you look at honda's specs on there site its for newer 11. The 08-10 had higher ratios .

this is for 08-10 trans

6mt V6
5th-0.771, final drive 3.55 = total drive in 6th of 2.73

5AT V6
5th-0.612 , final drive-4.31 = total drive in 5th of 2.63

5AT 2.4L
5th-0.566 , final drive -4.44 = total drive in 5th of 2.51

Now going to 2011 specs we get


6mt V6
5th-0.771, final drive 3.55 = total drive in 6th of 2.73

5AT V6
5th-0.538 , final drive-4.31 = total drive in 5th of 2.31

5AT 2.4L
5th-0.537 , final drive -4.44 = total drive in 5th of 2.38

So we can see the newer ratios bring the AT versions lower .
In 08-10 the rpm will scale from low to high like this at 60mph

2.4L 5AT , 5AT v6 , 6MT V6

So thats why some say there runs at X rpm. I think my 2.4 is around 1800@60 (its below 2000)

don't forget the gear ratio's were lowered in 2011 , so if you look at honda's specs on there site its for newer 11. The 08-10 had higher ratios .

this is for 08-10 trans

6mt V6
5th-0.771, final drive 3.55 = total drive in 6th of 2.73

5AT V6
5th-0.612 , final drive-4.31 = total drive in 5th of 2.63

5AT 2.4L
5th-0.566 , final drive -4.44 = total drive in 5th of 2.51

Now going to 2011 specs we get


6mt V6
5th-0.771, final drive 3.55 = total drive in 6th of 2.73

5AT V6
5th-0.538 , final drive-4.31 = total drive in 5th of 2.31

5AT 2.4L
5th-0.537 , final drive -4.44 = total drive in 5th of 2.38

So we can see the newer ratios bring the AT versions lower .
In 08-10 the rpm will scale from low to high like this at 60mph

2.4L 5AT , 5AT v6 , 6MT V6

So thats why some say there runs at X rpm. I think my 2.4 is around 1800@60 (its below 2000)

Well that answered Dennis' question perfectly! His end gear ratio is 2.63 and not 2.38 as I stated. Thanks for the correction. Now the math is easy. If the 6MT cranks 2,150 rpm @ 60 mph with a 2.73 end gear ratio, the 5A with a 2.63 end gear ratio should crank 2,071 rpm @ 60 mph. That's what Dennis said his car does.

Many other factors contribute to the RPM at certain speeds such as vehicle load (# of passengers), wind resistance, roadway grades just to name a few. It is extremely diffcult to tell if you are on a very slight uphill or downhill and yet it has sigificant impact on MPG and RPM.

Let me leave this here...
http://i53.tinypic.com/141mtrc.jpg

Can anyone tell me what rpm they get at around 37.5mph? I've searched only seen info for the higher speeds. I found im getting 1700..isn't that a bit high considering I also get 1700 at 50mph. This is for the 08-10 v6 auto by the way. Thanks!