Gearing and Engine Wear

[astral83]

Hi

Was wondering if anyone could help explain a few things. I have heard it is often better to drive in a lower gear and keep the revs up rather than changing up too early because

1) It gives you more control of the car
2) It is better for the engine - higher gears at low speeds cause stress on the engine

Is this true and why does a higher gear cause more stress on the engine. I would have thought more stress would be caused by driving at higher revs. Can anyone explain?

Thanks

[astral83]

Thanks for answering my question. I tend to drive in 3rd gear in a 30mph zone anyway - find it keeps me in the speed limit and gives me better control should i need to accelerate/deaccelerate. Probably why you get so many old people flying through a 30 zone at 40mph then sitting there at the NSL - probably saves me ever changing from fourth

To be honest however I never knew a too higher gear could actually be worse for the engine (labouring) than a lower slightly higher revving gear.