I've searched the FAQs and threads but haven't seen this specific question addressed.

Recently purchased a 2.4L '06 EX-L with Navi. It has 15K miles. Performance is smooth and adequate, but having never driven a car with a 5-speed automatic, I'm surprised to see the tach stay between 1500-2000 rpm. Only if I push it hard do I see the rpm climb above 2500. For passing on the highway it will climb over 3000 briefly, and then settle at just over 2000, which is fine for cruising on the interstate. But during most driving conditions the tach stays anywhere between 1500-2000, which seems too low.

Is this normal?

It's saving you precious fuel!

The AT will kick down to lower gear if needed, ie. climbing a grade or when the thorttle position is opened further signifying driver's intention of greater acceleration.

It sounds like the AT is doing exactly what it should be doing.

Yeah, I was surprised at first to see that tach stays at about 2000 rpm at 60~65 on the freeway but I've got used to it after a while.

So if your car drives smooth and thats about what you'd get at those speeds, then it's normal.

Mine is turning about 1800 rpm at 60 which seems normal. I was used to the 1300 rpm my Vette turns at 60 in 6th, so at first 1800 seemed high! :)

All ATs I've driven in my life are around 2000 rpm for 60mph.

It's not the 2000 rpm on the highway that is surprising, but the 1500-2000 rpm driving around town. Most cars I've owned would be running well above 2000 rpm at, say, 45 mph. In this car, the tach shows about 1500-1800 rpm at 45 mph. I assume it is simply due to the gearing on the 5-speed automatic.

It puts you in the best gear for saving fuel in an AT no matter what speed your doing, so to me your car sounds perfectly normal.

:banana:Congrats, you have a normal car!:banana:

:banana:Congrats, you have a normal car!:banana:

x2 :thmsup:

I've searched the FAQs and threads but haven't seen this specific question addressed.

Recently purchased a 2.4L '06 EX-L with Navi. It has 15K miles. Performance is smooth and adequate, but having never driven a car with a 5-speed automatic, I'm surprised to see the tach stay between 1500-2000 rpm. Only if I push it hard do I see the rpm climb above 2500. For passing on the highway it will climb over 3000 briefly, and then settle at just over 2000, which is fine for cruising on the interstate. But during most driving conditions the tach stays anywhere between 1500-2000, which seems too low.

Is this normal?

As everyone has stated, it is normal. The lower the RPM, the better the gas mileage... all things equal. In other words, going 45 mph at 2k rpm will get you better gas mileage than the exact same car going 45 mph at 3k rpm.

The K24A8 engine in your EX-L (and the K24A4s in the 03-05 Accords) has a flat torque curve, deliver much of its peak torque at low RPMs, for better fuel economy as others have explained. So enjoy the low RPMs!

Thanks for all of the info. Very helpful!