Golf Gti optimal gear change rpm

[scurup]

Hi guys,

I'm pretty new to this, grew up with an auto and I have a limited idea...
I know its probably overdone before, but I was curious at what RPM do you change your gears.. I know there alot of variables such as weight, but just as a rough guide... just want to know incase I want to use the paddle shift

[gerhard]

Anywhere from 2000rpm to redline.

GTI loves to rev....

When you first use the paddles in manual mode it's easy to forget that you are still in 4th at 100k 'cause you can't hear the engine.

Best fun is seeing how big a DSG fart you can do in manual mode, and whether you can time it so it's right beside a crummydore driver's open window....

[scurup]

is there an indicator on the dash that tells you? i believe some cars have that

[AGO41T]

you know its time to change when the needle starts to bounce at redline

[gerhard]

No, there isn't. You'd find that in the cars built for super economy, like the blue-motion range, with the low rolling resistance tyres and revised gear ratios.

The GTI is in the performance category, not the eco-category, although I've had 6.7l/100 on a cruise earlier this year. Maximum torque cuts in from 1750rpm, so you can change gear at 2000 and stay in the torque curve - if that's what you want, leave it in drive because that's exactly what D does for you.

If you want to use manual mode with the paddles, your upshift should be anywhere from 2000 to redline, as I said. When doing this you also need to be watchful, as the speed will quickly exceed the limit by a long way (around town you're speeding before you hit 3rd gear.....)

[Shteifen]

i think most cars have a "general guide" on the tachometer anyway, usually at 30 and 50km/h there will be a red line on the tacho. so in first you change at 30 and in second u change at 50km/h. thats for economic driving though.

other than that, you should change at redline everytime to make sure your engine lasts as long as possible....

disregard my last sentence, its bull s***

-steve

[M4RK0]

Hi Scurup,

This could be between the 2500 and 3000 RPM's tho!,

Anywhere from 3000 rpm's to the red line should be sport driving,

Cheers!,

i think most cars have a "general guide" on the tachometer anyway, usually at 30 and 50km/h there will be a red line on the tacho. so in first you change at 30 and in second u change at 50km/h. thats for economic driving though.

other than that, you should change at redline everytime to make sure your engine lasts as long as possible....

disregard my last sentence, its bull s***

-steve

[scurup]

ok so what happens if your just reving it higher (past 3000) but not sport driving (im assuming sport mode on the car).. im just assuming your consuming more fuel.. where as the optimal fuel for consumption and city driving is from 2000-3000.

What I also want to know, does revving it 'harder' in any (city or sport) mode decrease the longevity of the engine?

I hope these dont sound like stupid questions, I havn't driven manual before so its pretty new to me!

cheers guys, you've been great!

[gregozedobe]

You might find it worthwhile to read some of the "running in" threads.

Given you seem to have a DSG, I'd probably leave it in D unless you want to fang it a bit, in which case manual mode and 3,000 to 6,500rpm should give you plenty of fun . Just make sure the engine is properly warmed up first before driving vigorously.

Many people find the "sport" mode is too keen on keeping the revs too high, so they use manual mode instead.

Revving it harder will use more fuel and (in theory) wear out the engine slightly quicker, but very, very few people would ever keep their car long enough to see the difference (unless you drive like a total nutter all the time).

It is worth checking your engine oil level fairly frequently, particularly if you have a new engine, as some seem to use a bit of oil initially.

Enjoy the drive

[Nathan_B]

you know its time to change when the needle starts to bounce at redline

DSG will shift for you, it wont bounce

[Maverick]

i think most cars have a "general guide" on the tachometer anyway, usually at 30 and 50km/h there will be a red line on the tacho. so in first you change at 30 and in second u change at 50km/h. thats for economic driving though.

30kph and 50kph are two common speed limits in Europe.

[Arctra]

My understanding is that it's best to change gear once the engine hits the peak of its torque curve (as after that point it loses efficiency). Given that the GTi has a range of revs over which the torque curve is maxxed out pretty flat (because of the variable cam and valve timing?) I'd think gerhard's answer was pretty much on the money. Find out the ranges of your max torque and change anywhere in that range would be my advice.

[AGO41T]

look its simple..

if it does this, change gears

[IMG][/IMG]

[Big Yellow]

i think you just hit VTEC-YO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scurup]

according to red book its : 280Nm @ 1800-5000rpm.. that seems about right at the peak of the torque curve