Third Gear

AmDaMan · 11 Jul 2008 at 08:36

Surely throttle position is more important than revs as this is letting more air in, telling the ECU to put more petrol in?

Flukester · 11 Jul 2008 at 08:45

in town I always stay in a gear that means the engine is responsive should I have to take some evasive action..

if your in some family barge and in 4-5 at 25-30mph and you have to power out of trouble, when you put foot down nothing is gonna happen..

Howard · 11 Jul 2008 at 08:55

peterattheboro said:
General rule:

1st to get the car rolling
2nd @ 10mph
3rd @ 20mph
4th @ 30mph
5th @ 50mph
6th @ now your just showing off!

That's what I was taught in my driving test anyway.

How boring

Lol

Booner! · 11 Jul 2008 at 09:00

pc-modd said:
I was told the same, however in my car I find that 3rd uses quite a bit more petrol than 4th so unless I need the acceleration I always use 4th.

Yeh that ^

Tax Evader · 11 Jul 2008 at 09:09

"Third is not a driving gear"

Women, you gotta love 'em

GravyMonster · 11 Jul 2008 at 09:11

In 30/40 zones I normally just stick the car in 5th and sit at a little over 1k.

Don't know how much petrol it saves, but it's just quieter and less annoying.

peterattheboro · 11 Jul 2008 at 09:20

Spunkey said:
In 30/40 zones I normally just stick the car in 5th and sit at a little over 1k.

Don't know how much petrol it saves, but it's just quieter and less annoying.

Probably wastes more fuel as the engine is struggling in such a high gear?

GravyMonster · 11 Jul 2008 at 09:23

The engine doesn't seem to be struggling - idle is around 750, and it seems happy enough at ~1200. I don't have a trip computer to give a definate answer though.

Howard · 11 Jul 2008 at 09:25

Lowest revs don't always mean peak efficiency. Engines are usually at their least efficient when near idle speeds. 4th is fine. You'll only be feathering the throttle so the instant economy will be high

Hawk Tuah · 11 Jul 2008 at 09:38

As soon as I'm at the speed I want to go at, the car / bike will go into the highest comfortable gear to cruise at.

fRostiE · 11 Jul 2008 at 10:47

mcc49 said:
I always try use the highest gear possible without labouring the engine, 5th gear cruising at 30mph is fine on my car and drop a cog or 2 if you need to make rapid progress.

same

FreeStream · 11 Jul 2008 at 11:12

Tim said:
3rd = more revs = more fuel used?

I use 3rd in 30's, as it's easier to not stray towards 40mph.

Well it depends on more than that

Bigger bangs = more fuel...

Its all rather complex and without a trip computer I really can't decide if 30 @ 3rd or 4th and 40 in 4th or 5th lol

Dave M · 11 Jul 2008 at 11:29

Dump her, not a good sign if she's nagging you for using the wrong gear now.

Toker · 11 Jul 2008 at 11:34

use first gear only next time and see if she comments

Building Candy · 11 Jul 2008 at 11:43

30mph 4th or 5th
40mph+ 5th or 6th

Netvyper · 11 Jul 2008 at 11:46

I generally use 4th for 30mph if its fairly clear; but 3rd if there's much other traffic/high chance of pedestrians etc.
Car will do 30 in 5th; but it just doesnt feel quite right, so I prefer 4th.

Toker · 11 Jul 2008 at 11:49

I'll tootle along at 30mph in 5th easily, if I'm in 4th I enter the boost realm frequently at 30mph so fuel economy plummets. As mentioned it's all about your specific car and its gearing/power delivery

Clarkey · 11 Jul 2008 at 11:52

boost, at 30mph, what the heck kind of car do you drive?

Scuzi · 11 Jul 2008 at 11:55

Clarkey said:
boost, at 30mph, what the heck kind of car do you drive?

If the engine is loaded heavily in a long gear, even at slow speeds the turbo will spool up.

Clarkey · 11 Jul 2008 at 11:58

maybe if its a diesel with a titchy turbo. If its long geared then 30 in 4th is going to plenty below the boost threshold in any reasonable petrol turbo.