60km/h - Are you in 4th or 5th?

[pixl]

In my previous car, I would be crusing at 60 in 5th gear 95% of the time. I always figured, lower RPM = better fuel consumption. It seemed pretty good too as I could generally get 550km on a tank.

When I got my GTI, out of habit I drove it the same way. I found the fuel light would come on at 380-390km pretty consistently.

I then read on some forum about turbo cars. Saying that if you're not engaging the turbo, you're burning more fuel. Seemed logical so I gave it a try. As you'll probably know, driving at 60 in 5th makes the engine sit on 1500rpm therefore no boost. So the last two tanks I've driven all 60 zones in 4th and the fuel light has come on at 408 and 419 respectively.

I'm going to continue to monitor this. I've also filled up with the same brand of fuel from the same outlet each time to try keep things as accurate as possible.

But I'd really like to hear about your experiences and whether or not you drive in 4th or 5th at 60.

[leasaunce]

yeah i would think no boost = less fuel... hmm but like several of my friends told me, if the engine designed with turbo then its more efficient with boost. but then again i aint a gizmo when it comes to engine.

Usually, when its 60kph i drive with 4th gear, but then if its a long 60kph cruise, i would put it in 5th.

has anyone here got APR and driven till empty (from full) on VALET MODE (for those who don't know, Valet mode, basically limits the REVS to 4200rpm & no boost)?

one way to find out is to use the scangaugeII.

[DaveMack]

has anyone here got APR and driven till empty (from full) on VALET MODE (for those who don't know, Valet mode, basically limits the REVS to 4200rpm & no boost)?

Wouldn't want to encounter any hills ... in valet mode ... mine won't even climb my driveway.

Dave

[leasaunce]

Wouldn't want to encounter any hills ... in valet mode ... mine won't even climb my driveway.

Dave

hahaha...tell me about it! first time i switched to valet mode (by accident, was trying to get to 98 mode), i parked the car on the side on a small inclined, stalled the car 3 times

but yeah it, if its true, then valet mode should be very efficient but LESS FUN

[Whubbsie]

wouldn't use valet for daily use doubt it would be much more efficient if at all.

I try to keep the car between 2000-2500rpm and I'm on 7.5l on average, I take beach rd to work and back and it's 60km all the way

[Piotr]

I try to got to 5th as quick as possibleeven in 60 km zones. my GTI is stock as a rock and get atleast 500 kms on BP ultimate. was using shell v power and was getting about 450 km max.

[Preen59]

Just because the engine is making boost doesn't mean that it will use more fuel.. Boost should make the engine more efficient and therefore you would be able to use less throttle. ie, there should be no difference.

One thing you guys are forgetting is that labouring an engine like that (1500rpm in 5th..) is worse for it in a lot of cases than revving the snot out of it. Lower oil pressure, more blow by, it can fracture rods/pistons etc etc.

My advice would be to leave it in 4th. The difference in fuel economy would be VERY minimal, if at all noticable.

[evorobin]

One thing you guys are forgetting is that labouring an engine like that (1500rpm in 5th..) is worse for it in a lot of cases than revving the snot out of it. Lower oil pressure, more blow by, it can fracture rods/pistons etc etc

Spot on especially running in new engines too.

[Chipped]

valet mode??? Wow, I never heard of it (maybe I should read the manual)
It doesn't sound too exciting (especially after an ECU) but how do I change it to valet mode for next time I'm dropping Nicole Kidman off at the cinema?

[Preen59]

valet mode??? Wow, I never heard of it (maybe I should read the manual)
It doesn't sound too exciting (especially after an ECU) but how do I change it to valet mode for next time I'm dropping Nicole Kidman off at the cinema?

You need to buy the right hat before you can use it.

[Pumpe-Düse]

In the TDI I'm in 4th at 60km/h all the time. Its only about 1500rpm so shifting into 5th does nothing for it. It actually doesn't really like doing below 70km/h in 5th.

[RhysQ]

In the TDI I'm in 4th at 60km/h all the time. Its only about 1500rpm so shifting into 5th does nothing for it. It actually doesn't really like doing below 70km/h in 5th.

its a lot different for diesels Pumpe Duse, your rev range and gear ratios are a lot different to ours. no matter what gear you are in, your fuel consumption will be better in comparison!

[Preen59]

its a lot different for diesels Pumpe Duse, your rev range and gear ratios are a lot different to ours. no matter what gear you are in, your fuel consumption will be better in comparison!

The fact still remains, you shouldn't use 5th at 60 kmh. Its just bad.

[RhysQ]

The fact still remains, you shouldn't use 5th at 60 kmh. Its just bad.

yeah thats true. i never do anyway, definitely 4th.... so its a quick snap back to 3rd if i need to suddenly speed up.

[Preen59]

yeah thats true. i never do anyway, definitely 4th.... so its a quick snap back to 3rd if i need to suddenly speed up.

Ahh good man. The gearbox is there for a reason!