How to drive

shady · 14 Oct 2006 at 00:10

This may sound odd, but I just bought my mewest car, a Vectra SRi 1.9CDTi, and I want it to last. I drive a lot of miles and always feel I leave it too late to change down a gear. This new car is so quiet I can't hear what the engine is doing, but I have a rev counter.

So what I'm wondering is: is it more sensible to keep the revs up, around 1700-2000, or caa i safely go down to udner 1500 without putting too much strain on the engine.

Slackworth · 14 Oct 2006 at 01:12

I'm amazed you can't hear the engine. The 1.9s aren't that quiet. :confused:

shady · 14 Oct 2006 at 01:20

Slackworth said:
I'm amazed you can't hear the engine. The 1.9s aren't that quiet.

pretty noisy at standstill, but all you hear ON the road IS the road. And the turbo

Maz · 14 Oct 2006 at 01:45

Slackworth said:
I'm amazed you can't hear the engine. The 1.9s aren't that quiet.

The CDTi's are VERY quiet.

Is it the 120bhp 8v model or the 150bhp 16v model?

When driving, you'll barely even hear the engine.

Idling you can hear it, and also when you nail it - between 2.5k - 4.5k makes a bit of a noise.

shady · 15 Oct 2006 at 00:40

It's the 150 Maz, and you're spot on, the quietest diesel I ever had.

BigglesPiP · 15 Oct 2006 at 00:53

Maz said:
The CDTi's are VERY quiet.

Is it the 120bhp 8v model or the 150bhp 16v model?

When driving, you'll barely even hear the engine.

Idling you can hear it, and also when you nail it - between 2.5k - 4.5k makes a bit of a noise.

I agree, the 1.9 that Vauxhall use is a terrific engine, it's actually a FIAT engine. Bullet proof too so it doesn't matter what RPM you change down at, it'll take it.

Akira · 15 Oct 2006 at 00:59

shady said:
This may sound odd, but I just bought my mewest car, a Vectra SRi 1.9CDTi, and I want it to last. I drive a lot of miles and always feel I leave it too late to change down a gear. This new car is so quiet I can't hear what the engine is doing, but I have a rev counter.

So what I'm wondering is: is it more sensible to keep the revs up, around 1700-2000, or caa i safely go down to udner 1500 without putting too much strain on the engine.

Nah you're fine changing down late. If you want to accelerate you'll need some revs so as not to strain it at low revs but under braking you should be fine. Just don't leave it so late that it chugs and kangaroos along the road.

Dangerous · 15 Oct 2006 at 01:01

They maybe quiet if they are :confused:

but surely you'd notice loss in power/buff?