MDMetal Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I was having a play round last night and something crossed my mind thats been playing on it awhile, from an economy POV* what gear is best at 30mph? I spend a fair amount of time urban driving and have been using 5th since I got the car but anicodatly 4th seems to return better results (unscientificly watching the estimated miles go up or down now I fixed my fuel tank issue!) At 5th is aprox 1,250 RPM so while it is lower RPM's all those little minor adjustments probably use a bit more fuel as the engine labours more, 4th is around 1,750 RPM but but is more available and the engine isnt so close to labouring. So what do people reckon is best? (pretending the traffic is fairly constant so you arent changing up or down but the usual slightly slower slightly faster sections) *This is not an economy car obviously, but no harm is saving some fuel to burn on the country roads instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldel Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 5th I would have thought was too high unless you are not actively accelerating Personally, I use 2nd around town, sounds better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkie Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 There's no choice for 2nd But i'd drive in 4th if being conservative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMetal Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Ive edited the poll so you can all subvert my question and tick 2nd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeroy Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Smack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 4th for me unless I want to hear the V6 scream. But then I do like the low down growl of my ARC when in higher gears and low revs. If I'm cruising via town side dual carriageways I like to pootle at 40 in 6th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Whatever the autobox picks for me Think its usually 5th unless you start to accelerate then it drops a cog. In the manual 350 I had, if I was on the flat or slight down hill and not acclerating, I'd be in 5th but only when I new I was really just coasting along. If I knew I'd need some throttle, I'd be in 4th, or drop it into 4th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 My exhaust broke on the way back from Le Mans .......... it sounded so awesome I was driving through towns in first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 4th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I would probably be in 3rd I expect, maybe 4th if it was a long stretch at 30mph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 In a manual it would probably be third, but 5th is preferable really. 6th works okay too, just don't nail the throttle or you'll labour the engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmck13 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 4th for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMetal Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 In a manual it would probably be third, but 5th is preferable really. 6th works okay too, just don't nail the throttle or you'll labour the engine. Well this is the heart of the issue, for fuel consumption, lowest revs will always win, however your going to have to labour the engine for a tiny speed up or drop down then up for every minor adjustment, you can certainly coast at 30 in 6th but in terms of fuel consumption im wondering what the best RPM is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 6th. Tickle the throttle and the car is happy enough, done it myself before a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I tend to use 5th for driving 30-40 then 6th when I hit 40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sasha@lazytrips Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Seems like I am at odds with the majority as I always tend to go along in 3rd at 30 & 4th at 40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Seems like I am at odds with the majority as I always tend to go along in 3rd at 30 & 4th at 40. No I am with you, I can't believe anyone would drive at 30mph in 5th or 6th I only use 6th gear in the Zed when I get to motorway speeds, it helps have a light flywheel, if you are in too high a gear it lets you know big time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDMetal Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 Indeed this is what my recent ponderings led me to believe yes you can do 5th/6th but maybe its not getting you the best return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Indeed this is what my recent ponderings led me to believe yes you can do 5th/6th but maybe its not getting you the best return. It makes me chuckle people who race through the gears up to 6th at 30mph..... saving fuel my ar$e Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John tarantula Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 2nd 3rd maybe if I can actually go far enough without having to stop or slow down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gudzy Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 30mph is about the point I'd be changing up to 4th if its for a long stretch. I don't think I ever use 6th unless on a dual carriageway/ motorway. I believe I've got a lightened flywheel though, so that might be a bit different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 4th in most circumstances, 5th if the road is completely empty, flat and straight, 6th Never. Edit, just thought, some of the hills around here are so steep that even with your foot right off the gas you will exceed 30 in 4th gear, so on those I use 3rd Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Remember this is a big torquey engine, you really can drive it like a Diesel and it wont labour like a little 4 pot. Obviously if you are having to use the throttle a lot then 5th/6th isnt the right gear but for long runs where you can anticipate there not being much traffic, it will save you fuel. Anyway what do I know, the ECU does it for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy78 Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I tend to use 5th for driving 30-40 then 6th when I hit 40. What he said! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 I was always told 10mph/gear. Generally I'll be in 3rd at 30 as I like the noise but if tootling along I'll be in 4th unless accelerating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.