6th Gear Query

[varsas]

Krikkit said:

Have a look here for brake-specific fuel consumption info - i.e. what happens out there in the real world. Interesting reading.

Very interesting. I generally keep my revs higher then most other people (1,500rpm -> 2,000rpm), partly because that's how my classics like it. I also don't subscribe to the idea that you should change into a higher gear as soon as possible...yes you might save a very small amount of fuel but the saving will be completely offset by the extra clutch and brake wear (plus it's easier not to and if it's easier for me it's probably safer too).

[rohrl]

Do you harbour fantasies of minicab driving OP? They're the only drivers I've witnessed regularly shift into top at 20mph. The dashboard judders and you'll fk your bottom end if you drive like that all the time.

[c123]

Aside from the problems already detailed in low revs, high load, situations you also increase the chance of piston slap.

[GroundEffect]

You get worse fuel economy doing that.

[Krikkit]

XitUp said:

How long does it take to warm up?
Most cars will warm up within walking distance, so you're either lazy, or your car is fked. Which is it?

Walking distance? Does that mean a few hundred yards or within 15 miles? Just because there's hot air coming out the dash doesn't mean several litres of oil and coolant have warmed up to correct operating temperature.

While it's a bit of an old school machine, my car doesn't get up to full temps for about 5 miles of normal driving, although it gets reasonably warm after about 2-3, weather-dependant of course. The heater, however, usually comes warm in about a half mile.

[XitUp]

3 miles is easy walkable. 5 very easy bikeable.
And you don't really need to be at full temp every time you fancy an Italian tune up.

[leef44]

OP - i know what you mean with the EP3. I used to try to find 7th gear at 70mph. Anyway, in your case I would recommend 5th once you reach 40 and 6th at 50 for poodling along. This should be better for economy and less stress on the engine and your driving

[Olivera]

Disregarding the economy argument, unless you have a *very* torquey engine it's simply poor driving to have a car in 6th gear at 30mph. You will have next to no acceleration available and will almost always require a change down to make any kind of decent progress.

[Martin_Hx]

XitUp said:

How long does it take to warm up?
Most cars will warm up within walking distance, so you're either lazy, or your car is fked. Which is it?

Oh most definitely lazy

Just had a look, just over 5 miles to work ! I like to give the engine at least 10 (ish) mins of use before giving it any stick.

[Patrick Bateman]

I wouldn't really like a car that allows the revs to sit high enough to allow using 6th at such a speed.

Would feel kind of redundant, save it for when you're sitting at higher speeds.

[MarkRSi]

My FN2 could pull from 6th without any nasty noises/vibrations.

But personally I just used 4th at 30mph, or 3rd while warming up, or 5th on a dead flat/straight road.