Should I stay at third gear or go up to fourth?
So I have a 2003 Volkswagen Golf. Have been driving stick for 3 days and pretty much have the hang of it. Now I live in Vancouver so I’ll be speaking in km/hr. Anyways on regular roads the maximum is 50 so I like to go 60 most of the time. The problem I’m having is that my car generally likes to stay between 2000-3000 rpm (like most cars) but when I’m at 60 on the third gear my rpm is 2900-3000 but if I shift up to fourth it’ll be about 2000-2100. So what’s better for the car as in saving gas and engine going on the lower side or the higher side. obviously if it’s a close stop to the next light I’ll be on 3rd gear but besides that whats the best gear? Thanks.
5
Answers
You’ll save in gas with the car in fourth gear, unless you’re “lugging” the engine. You don’t want the rpms too low because then the engine will have to work harder to speed up, but you don’t want them too high because then you’ll burn through gas. Your best bet is to just feel out the car, try driving it in 4th gear and see how that feels.
Obviously at a constant speed, the slower the engine is turning the less gas you are using.
4th gear uses slightly less gas in that situation, but the truth is the difference is hardly noticeable.
If you have mastered the downshift and drive at a consistent speed, it is much better on gas to be driving in fourth gear. it will allow for more traction, although when you reach turns or are trying to catch a light you might want to shift down into third. Personally on turns I hold the clutch pop it into third then on my way out of the turn release the clutch and give it some gas. this will allow you to accelerate back to your original speed then you can cruise in fourth. When I was driving a golf my favorite gear was third because it supplied the best power when you need sudden moments of acceleration, but we cant be driving like its Gran Turismo all the time, so I would say stick to fourth saves gas and less stress on the engine.
Your car is designed to provide power and fuel economy within a relatively small power ban, the engine in proper tune will provide audible feedback which you may find useful in determining gear selection, listen to the exhaust and engine ,as you said the 2-3,000 rpm for unmodified 4 and 6 cylinders is common. Not all cars are the same ,so after driving for awhile you can aquiire the sounds. Select the gear that provides the less rpms while maintaining adequate acceleration without engine lug down. Your cars computer will compensate for a lot of factors including your speed, gear selection,temperature,load weight, and a lot of other factors,the computer instantaneously adjust for these factors and adjust fuel and ignition for best power and economy, your part in the equation is proper gear selection and throttle. You seem to have a good grasp on what to expect from your car, so only by experience can you determine the “sweet spot” of gear selection of your auto, so drive,drive,drive …good luck..!