Hmmm. :rubchin:

I feel really sad for even asking, but what gear do you use at 30mph in the Fabia vRS?

I have mostly been using 4th, but 3rd when going up hill.

As a rule I use 4th at 30, 5th at 40 and 6th at 50+...

I wonder which is more economical too? :confused:

errrrr i can sit at 30 in 6th not putting to much of a strain on the engine

I used to use 4th, but I seem to get better mpg when I use 3rd unless it's a very flat 30 or slightly downhill.

I general I seem to hold onto lower gears a little longer now and my mpg seems to have gone up ever so slightly.

But I dunno what's 'right'

was always told when learning to change at intervals of 10mph! to 30 = 3rd

I know not vRS but once there 30 in 4th.... sometimes even 5th!

I live in the Fens, so everywhere is flat...

I never give it welly unless I'm over 2,000rpm.

Just curious really as to other peoples views. I wouldn't have thought pootling about in 6th at 30 is doing the engine any favours tbh.

5th at 30 is probably bad for the engine tbh, revs too low. start over loading the engie doing that

also you probaly get better mpg when the turbo is up and running

lately it's been 3rd for me for 30mph. This is for the following reasons

1) Better mpg

2) Engine sounds beefer for some reason :confused: but I like it!!

I Havent got a vRS, but the 1.4MPI is ok with the lightest touch of the throttle at 30MPH in 4th, I get 41.4MPG Like that

I never drive in fourth gear if im below 49 mph(2000 rpm) and never drive at all below 1500 rpm.

2nd

3rd........ OK?

4th gear if on the flat - thats about 1500rpm from memory, maybe a bit less. But it copes well. If it starts to go uphill a bit or revs approach 1200 rpm and under, its time to shift up a cog. However,pulling away from 30 in 4th is done gradually, else its a shift up to 3rd to get some serious pull and boost.

I'll throw a spanner and say it depends which year your vRS is (different gearbox). :P

I often ask myself that question though. Tends to be 4th if flat, but will go to 3rd if slightly uphill...

3rd/4th dependant on road undulation

In my Fabia diesel it's in between 3rd and 4th. At speedo 30 it's more comfortable in 3rd, but 4th for just over is better economy wise. I tend to wait until 55mph to change to 5th, but then 5th is my top gear.

3rd.

5th at 40

Double that.

I'll throw a spanner and say it depends which year your vRS is (different gearbox). :P

AFAIK, only the final drive ratio changed so unless you're in the habit of using 6th gear at 30mph (:eek: ) then it shouldn't make any difference

Chris

My vRS was clearly more economical in 4th at 30 than at 3rd.... I compared them with the "instant" MPG reading.

For 'normal cruising' I work on the 20 / 80 rule for every gear.

This is never less than 20% of the max rpm in any gear & never more that 80% of the max rpm of any gear.

This way the engine never works too hard nor labours.

Keep the change points anywhere in the middle you want.

Pete

For 'normal cruising' I work on the 20 / 80 rule for every gear.

This is never less than 20% of the max rpm in any gear & never more that 80% of the max rpm of any gear.

This way the engine never works too hard nor labours.

Keep the change points anywhere in the middle you want.

Pete

So in the Fabia vRS, thats 1000 - 4000 rpm... :confused:

Usually 2nd or sometimes 3rd.

Usually 2nd or sometimes 3rd.

I agree - mostly 2nd maybe 3rd if in traffic

Really in 2nd - blimey:eek: , that must be over 3000rpm...

What are you guys like for economy then?

I definitely tend to use 4th most.

3rd, never ever use 4th, when I am in a 30 I usually dither between 27-30mph 4th is too high a gear, 3rd gives your more control

Hi

For constant 30mph speed on a level road I use 4th or 5th. Fourth will see you into the 65+mpg region, 5th being a little better at just on 70mpg. 3rd will drop you to 39mpg ish. Speed control is easier in 3rd but with a little practice it is easy in 4th / 5th as well.

6th I use at 40mph on level surfaces as well.

For a gentle gradient, I would stick to 4th, but dont labour the engine. For a steep gradient, 3rd. Remember you are only labouring an engine if you are putting it under a load unsuitable for the revs. A constant 30mph on a level surface loads the engine minimally.

If accelerating from 30mph, I use very little gas until up to around 1700 rpm to avoid labouring the engine, or just change down to 3rd or even 2nd if in a hurry to go.

Economy in higher gears is a result of not having to pump all that extra air through the engine and a reduction in frictionel losses.

Chris