View Poll Results: What gear round town @ about 30mph
3rd
25
50.00%
4th
17
34.00%
up and down the box
6
12.00%
never actually noticed
2
4.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll
What gear around town?
13 May 2007, 03:22 PM
#1
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What gear around town?
Strange question I know but im curious.
Most cars I have owned I have generally popped it into 4th once rolling at a good speed, but the Scooby does not seem to like it as much (understandable)
I tend to use 3rd most of the time now, @ about 30mph.
Just wondered what gear everyone else finds themselves in once on the move in town traffic.
Seems since I have been in 3rd in town and not being bothered if it sounds like im waiting to floor it, I get slightly better mpg round town. Maybe not needing quite so much throttle to make the car accelerate in 4th.
Hope this does not make me sound like someone who is afraid to change gear lol
Most cars I have owned I have generally popped it into 4th once rolling at a good speed, but the Scooby does not seem to like it as much (understandable)
I tend to use 3rd most of the time now, @ about 30mph.
Just wondered what gear everyone else finds themselves in once on the move in town traffic.
Seems since I have been in 3rd in town and not being bothered if it sounds like im waiting to floor it, I get slightly better mpg round town. Maybe not needing quite so much throttle to make the car accelerate in 4th.
Hope this does not make me sound like someone who is afraid to change gear lol
13 May 2007, 03:34 PM
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13 May 2007, 03:59 PM
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When I am driving off from a standing start I tend to use 1st (if going forward). I'll then change to second as my speed and revs increase, before selecting 3rd as I go that little bit faster but I may select 4th gear sometimes too. Never fifth though until I am going over 45ish...
I often use reverse gear to go backwards too...
I often use reverse gear to go backwards too...
13 May 2007, 03:59 PM
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Read the highway code/driving essential skills, its all there! (Although if you have a licence, you'd know all this already! )
Basically, as a general rule:
1st gear upto 10mph
2nd gear upto 20mph
3rd gear upto 30mph
4th gear upto 40mph
5th gear from 40mph and up
Obviously things such a gradiant, weather conditions, road conditions, car type, open/closed junctions etc all have a slight effect on this rule, but you get the idea.
(Sorry, it's the driving instructor coming out in me!
)
Basically, as a general rule:
1st gear upto 10mph
2nd gear upto 20mph
3rd gear upto 30mph
4th gear upto 40mph
5th gear from 40mph and up
Obviously things such a gradiant, weather conditions, road conditions, car type, open/closed junctions etc all have a slight effect on this rule, but you get the idea.
(Sorry, it's the driving instructor coming out in me!
)
13 May 2007, 04:10 PM
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yeah, snap lol, what ever sounds best, and to hell with the petrol consumption lol
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13 May 2007, 04:13 PM
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Read the highway code/driving essential skills, its all there! (Although if you have a licence, you'd know all this already! )
Basically, as a general rule:
1st gear upto 10mph
2nd gear upto 20mph
3rd gear upto 30mph
4th gear upto 40mph
5th gear from 40mph and up
Obviously things such a gradiant, weather conditions, road conditions, car type, open/closed junctions etc all have a slight effect on this rule, but you get the idea.
(Sorry, it's the driving instructor coming out in me! )
Basically, as a general rule:
1st gear upto 10mph
2nd gear upto 20mph
3rd gear upto 30mph
4th gear upto 40mph
5th gear from 40mph and up
Obviously things such a gradiant, weather conditions, road conditions, car type, open/closed junctions etc all have a slight effect on this rule, but you get the idea.
(Sorry, it's the driving instructor coming out in me!
)
So at 30mph, I am in the right gear then, thank you for your confirmation of my habits
However especially in the TDi I always found 4th was lovely for pootling along at 30mph, but at 40mph with a lightened flywheel in the other car, accelerating from 40 in 4th caused slight judder so an exception to the rules eh 
When I am driving off from a standing start I tend to use 1st (if going forward). I'll then change to second as my speed and revs increase, before selecting 3rd as I go that little bit faster but I may select 4th gear sometimes too. Never fifth though until I am going over 45ish...
I often use reverse gear to go backwards too...
I often use reverse gear to go backwards too...
Great to see a sense of humour remains.
13 May 2007, 04:15 PM
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lol cheers guys, I dont think anyone can possibly honestly worry about MPG can they? My comment was just an observation, and wondering what was best on the engine too. Just curious really
There are of course certain points in certain journies where only 1st or 2nd will do
13 May 2007, 04:15 PM
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Well to be honest, it was a bit of a novice question.
You'll be asking how much steering lock to dial in next!
Just kidding.
You'll be asking how much steering lock to dial in next!
Just kidding.
13 May 2007, 04:20 PM
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Haha, naaa after 17 years of driving im pretty confident I think, although thanks for the offer of help
Serious though, it was just one of those lamne sunday afternoon, hmmm I wonder things
Only noticed the other day I was holding 3rd a lot longer than I usually would, and realised it was cos the car responded better, where my old Golf GT TDi was happy to pull in 4th, the scooby prefers 3rd
Serious though, it was just one of those lamne sunday afternoon, hmmm I wonder things
Only noticed the other day I was holding 3rd a lot longer than I usually would, and realised it was cos the car responded better, where my old Golf GT TDi was happy to pull in 4th, the scooby prefers 3rd
13 May 2007, 04:23 PM
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Aaah human contact at last, cheers mate
Finally the thread makes more sense.
Did also wonder about the ratio's on the boxes, but was not sure how much difference that would make.
13 May 2007, 04:25 PM
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Oh can I just point out.....
The comment of what gear round town, @ about 30 was refering to a constant speed, with slight acceleration allowed for, and not from a standing start, so no one thinks I am trying to pull away in 3rd all the time lol
The comment of what gear round town, @ about 30 was refering to a constant speed, with slight acceleration allowed for, and not from a standing start, so no one thinks I am trying to pull away in 3rd all the time lol
13 May 2007, 04:26 PM
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My diesel astra has a very narrow power (if thats what you call it ) band, so the rule doesn't always work. It has such a slow throttle responce, especially when emerging at junctions. I sometimes have to reach 15-20mph in first just to keep momentum. There's an sunday afternoon top-tip:
Even if you put a new engine/turbo/diesel pump/clutch/starter/alternator/battery in a mk3 astra td (gm), it's still as slow a hell!
) band, so the rule doesn't always work. It has such a slow throttle responce, especially when emerging at junctions. I sometimes have to reach 15-20mph in first just to keep momentum. There's an sunday afternoon top-tip:Even if you put a new engine/turbo/diesel pump/clutch/starter/alternator/battery in a mk3 astra td (gm), it's still as slow a hell!
13 May 2007, 04:29 PM
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My diesel astra has a very narrow power (if thats what you call it ) band, so the rule doesn't always work. It has such a slow throttle responce, especially when emerging at junctions. I sometimes have to reach 15-20mph in first just to keep momentum. There's an sunday afternoon top-tip:
Even if you put a new engine/turbo/diesel pump/clutch/starter/alternator/battery in a mk3 astra td (gm), it's still as slow a hell!
) band, so the rule doesn't always work. It has such a slow throttle responce, especially when emerging at junctions. I sometimes have to reach 15-20mph in first just to keep momentum. There's an sunday afternoon top-tip:Even if you put a new engine/turbo/diesel pump/clutch/starter/alternator/battery in a mk3 astra td (gm), it's still as slow a hell!
lol may I bring your attention to an earlier post by an "educated" member.... His pos suggests you are a poor driver who fails to take notice of the highway code...
Read the highway code/driving essential skills, its all there! (Although if you have a licence, you'd know all this already! )
Basically, as a general rule:
1st gear upto 10mph
2nd gear upto 20mph
3rd gear upto 30mph
4th gear upto 40mph
5th gear from 40mph and up
Obviously things such a gradiant, weather conditions, road conditions, car type, open/closed junctions etc all have a slight effect on this rule, but you get the idea.
(Sorry, it's the driving instructor coming out in me! )
Basically, as a general rule:
1st gear upto 10mph
2nd gear upto 20mph
3rd gear upto 30mph
4th gear upto 40mph
5th gear from 40mph and up
Obviously things such a gradiant, weather conditions, road conditions, car type, open/closed junctions etc all have a slight effect on this rule, but you get the idea.
(Sorry, it's the driving instructor coming out in me!
)
Just kiddin
With the above in the open, you can see my point
The diesel made me a bit lazy I guess
13 May 2007, 04:34 PM
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Depends what kinda car you're in I reckon. My last car was a Prelude 2.2 Vtec and would pull without complaint from 25 mph ! I use 4th up to 40mph in the Scoob. But then the Scoob's better from 2200 revs on.
13 May 2007, 05:17 PM
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13 May 2007, 05:31 PM
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As I said earlier snazy, it's a 'general rule'. This is how I would explain gear vs speed to a new pupil:
You need to change gear in order to match the engine speed and 'load' to the speed of the vehicle. This will vary with the vehicle you're driving and whether you're moving on the level, uphill or downhill. As a general rule, change up as the road speed increases. Listening to the engine helps to determine when to change up.
Sounds a little patronising if you've been driving for 17 years, but you did ask.
You need to change gear in order to match the engine speed and 'load' to the speed of the vehicle. This will vary with the vehicle you're driving and whether you're moving on the level, uphill or downhill. As a general rule, change up as the road speed increases. Listening to the engine helps to determine when to change up.
Sounds a little patronising if you've been driving for 17 years, but you did ask.
13 May 2007, 05:36 PM
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13 May 2007, 06:00 PM
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As I said earlier snazy, it's a 'general rule'. This is how I would explain gear vs speed to a new pupil:
You need to change gear in order to match the engine speed and 'load' to the speed of the vehicle. This will vary with the vehicle you're driving and whether you're moving on the level, uphill or downhill. As a general rule, change up as the road speed increases. Listening to the engine helps to determine when to change up.
Sounds a little patronising if you've been driving for 17 years, but you did ask.
You need to change gear in order to match the engine speed and 'load' to the speed of the vehicle. This will vary with the vehicle you're driving and whether you're moving on the level, uphill or downhill. As a general rule, change up as the road speed increases. Listening to the engine helps to determine when to change up.
Sounds a little patronising if you've been driving for 17 years, but you did ask.
Its all good
"But generally, 3rd. 4th at 30 just seems to flog the engine.."
My point exactly, but far more manageable in other cars
13 May 2007, 06:07 PM
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My old integra type r would be quite happy in 5th at 25mph. However, at 75mph, 4700rpm is a little too high for relaxed cruising. Swings and roundabouts at the end of the day.
13 May 2007, 06:08 PM
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Usually 2nd or 3rd in the old shed (UK classic 5speed gearing) as it laboured too heavily at anything 35-40 in 4th unless going downhill.
However 5th these days is not a problem, I could use 6th but seeing that equates to 800rpm@30mph I need to dip the clutch if I need to drive any slower, its so weird driving a car with some low rpm torque after driving peaky rice rockets everyday for so long
However 5th these days is not a problem, I could use 6th but seeing that equates to 800rpm@30mph I need to dip the clutch if I need to drive any slower, its so weird driving a car with some low rpm torque after driving peaky rice rockets everyday for so long
13 May 2007, 07:24 PM
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STI 8 at 30 is quite happy in 5th about 35/40 and into 6th cant honestly say that Iever drive it like that though, I always seem to be looking for quick bursts of grin factor.
Forester S-Turbo is happy at any speed in D even at junctions
Forester S-Turbo is happy at any speed in D even at junctions
13 May 2007, 07:28 PM
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lol in D, really, shocking
As for the quick bursts, dont blame you, I like them too
So todays experiment for me has proven sucessful, it appears round town 3rd is the gear
Phew im normal