Rev's - when to change gear?

B'stard

When do you change gear when driving, I change at 2,000 revs, to get the best speed/fuel economy?
If the revs are higher before you change will the fuel economy be worse.

Harry_Flashman

Depends entirely on the gradient of the road, following traffic, etc. But I wouldn't argue with it as a ballpark figure.

alastairq

much will depend on the power characteristics of the particular engine.

As a first resort, refer to the Owner's Manual....

However, it is important not to change up through the gears [2-3-4-5] too early in the rev range.

Otherwise the engine will be too low down it's power band in the next gear, and will struggle to pull...ie increase speed.

Fuel consumption is also affected by how indelicately one presses the throttle pedal.

Importantly, does the engine 'feel' comfortable when you change gear as at present?

agrinnall

Diesel or petrol? Size of engine?

jase1

6500 and not an rpm less.

Annoying really as my previous car went up to 7500.

waynedance

B'stard wrote: »

When do you change gear when driving, I change at 2,000 revs, to get the best speed/fuel economy?
If the revs are higher before you change will the fuel economy be worse.

Change gear when I need to change gear, as said 2000rpm not good up a hill. I do not use the rev counter or speedo just know when to change.

Strider590

Best to change gear just as you pass through peak torque.... If the car is geared well, it'll then be at bottom edge of the torque band when you've changed up, meaning your driving constantly at the engines most efficient RPM range.

andygb

jase1 wrote: »

6500 and not an rpm less.

Annoying really as my previous car went up to 7500.

When it hits the limiter, or when the valves hit the pistons and you just know that you have wrung the most out of that engine!:D

TrickyWicky

Don't worry about it.. let an automatic gearbox do it all for you instead

Of course you loose a lot of fuel efficiency there due to the torque convertor...

mancitychick

I just know when to change gear.......which is a good job as I drive Picasso and they don't have rev counters!

TrickyWicky

Not hard, when the engine is starting to sound like its t!ts are being revved off, thats time to change up.