After my one-to-one sessions for my Advanced Driving, my observer came to the conclusion that I should only use 6th gear if I'm on a road with the legal limit of 70MPH, i.e. a Dual Carriage Way and Motorways.

For single carriage way "A" roads etc. I should only use 5th; that way giving myself greater flexibility for accelerating, and for dropping gears for sharp bends.

I've started this but am having to train myself out of automatically slotting in to 6th, it's got to be a habbit. The MPG has fallen maybe 2-3 from when I used to use 6th.

Opinions?

Has anybody else tried this, drive like this?

When do the rest of you use 6th?

I agree with your instructor. Its only necessary on the Motorway and Dual Cabbage Ways

I never use sixth under 65mph, as you said it gives better flexibility to accelerate and drop gears. I always try and keep the engine above 1,900rpm in general driving.

Yeah, my obsever advised me to use 3rd around town (usually stick it in 4th). Economy has gone down a bit, but its one less gear change to worry about- same as you in 6th

He didn't say anything to me about putting it in 6th at 50 though...

Sorry, but I think that's all Bo!!ox.

I normally drive for economy ie. 6th gear @ 50 mph, but when playing with a 'Laguna' 2.0 litre 150 cdi I changed my driving style within seconds, to hassel him for 5 miles before overtaking him on a bend and leaving him like sh!t off a shovel.

mpg ended up @ 35 instead of a 'normal' Peak district 45, though....

John.

I agree as well, all ******. You should drive according to the car. I was advised to use 3rd gaer in the R32 when in town, but the R32 is very short, low gear so how would they know when they had never driven it.

In 4th and 30mph the R32 will still pull quicker than a lot of cars in 3rd, so wheres the issue!!!!!

I think the same can be said of powerful diesels where a lot of pull (torque) is on tap much lower than petrol engine cars, which may very well need to be in 3rd at higher revs to attain the same pull.

For the majority of cars this may be true but I don't think it should be a standing rule!

Ahem.... I use 6th wherever I can. :confused:

Its a more economical gear than fifth, and if I want that power for a bend or overtaking I'll drop it down as and when (and that usually means dropping to 4th gear. VRROOOOOMMM! )

For me a gearchange is half a second, compared to the extra fuel being used. I know where the ADI is coming from, but its not for me.

The only time I use 6th gear is when I hit 140mph in 5th...................On track of course.

I'm with Jason here. Provided you know the limitations of 6th, it's OK to use it as part of the normal changing sequence rather than 'high days & holidays only'. And I often miss a gear out changing down. More fun that way.

I think the same can be said of powerful diesels where a lot of pull (torque) is on tap much lower than petrol engine cars, which may very well need to be in 3rd at higher revs to attain the same pull.

Diesels... Yes the power band very low down in the revs, but putting your foot down when the revs are too low down 1,500< then all you are greeted with is a cloud of grey smoke and your car not liking you much!:thumbdwn:

I have the early Fabia vRS with the longer gearbox, trying to drive under 30 in fourth or even worst under 60 in sixth it a nightmare! I'd much rather keep the engine where it happy most of the time... and that's between 1,900-3,000rpm.

Chris

I'm always reaching for 6th but can never quite get it

I stay out of these threads normally as 'each to there own' with regards to driving, but I agree with the observer tbh.

If you really want to shock him, use 5th, 6th gear at 30mph, like some people on here do

Diesels... Yes the power band very low down in the revs' date=' but putting your foot down when the revs are too low down 1,500< then all you are greeted with is a cloud of grey smoke and your car not liking you much!:thumbdwn:

I have the early Fabia vRS with the longer gearbox, trying to drive under 30 in fourth or even worst under 60 in sixth it a nightmare! I'd much rather keep the engine where it happy most of the time... and that's between 1,900-3,000rpm.

Chris[/quote']

A tad off topic, but when in its life did the vRS get different gear ratios?

I never use sixth under 65mph, as you said it gives better flexibility to accelerate and drop gears. I always try and keep the engine above 1,900rpm in general driving.

Me too...

A tad off topic' date=' but when in its life did the vRS get different gear ratios?

[/quote']

March 04 (i believe) with the face lift... new rear lights, grille etc...

I do what I feel like pretty much - if I'm in the mood to make decent progress, a hill is involved, etc etc I may be in a lower gear than when I'm cruising about in the highest gear that will not do damage to the car.

Yep I do drop it into 6th at crazy low rpms sometimes, but only if there is no traffic and I am behaving - if there is any traffic about or there is a good chance I'll come across it, I'm in or one next to the right gear.

Massive difference between driving for economy and 'most ready to respond' though, looking at at least 5 mpg worse if I drive cautiously, and probably 10 mpg worse if I am making progress a fair bit.

Either way each to their own as always & generally I drive at 2k rpm or higher if I want to accelerate. 6th is perfectly fine on 60 mph roads on the later gearbox model at least, esp. when cruise is enabled Two gears lower otherwise

A tad off topic' date=' but when in its life did the vRS get different gear ratios?

[/quote']

5th and sith gear ratios were different on the first vrs before the face lift.

On topic:

I agree with the instructor. I stay in 3rd around town and I use 5th on country lanes. I actually get better mpg in 5th then 6th doing this. It's good to see that without ever taking the advanced driving course, that my natural driving matches the advice given by your instructor. Makes me feel warm on the inside

I would never drive my vrs round in 6th gear in town etc... not worth giving the engine grief for no reason. I stick to the gear that feels right for the speed and revs, which really should be what everyone does. I have averaged 45 mpg on practically every town and country lane journey I have done.

I usually only stick mine in 6th when 5th runs out.

I like to keep my car over 2000rpm at all times.

Each to his or her own though.

I usually only stick mine in 6th when 5th runs out.

I like to keep my car over 2000rpm at all times.

I got to stay out of these threads....

Yup thats exactly how I drive

I wonder how many members have passed the Advanced Driving test?

Put me down as number 1

Funny, the VRS / car modding driver dosn't fit the IAM mold somehow?

I wonder how many members have passed the Advanced Driving test?

Put me down as number 1

So Mr Advanced Driver, how do you drive? Where do you like to keep the revs?

I've been interested in doing it for some time and bought roadcraft last year.

Why do you think a modified car owner wouldn't want to learn better driving skills?

I'm still interested in doing an advanced driving course, and I probably will go on one once I've paid for the mods - seriously, I am looking into it but due to pushing it a bit (too) much mods wise I've kinda spent that dosh :( Started saving again now

I wonder how many members have passed the Advanced Driving test?

Put me down as number 1

Funny' date=' the VRS / car modding driver dosn't fit the IAM mold somehow?[/quote']

There is definetely at least one other advanced driver on the forum so I'll put you down as being a number 2 instead.

My observer drives a 'chavved' up MG ZR in blue, with 17s, neons, very loud exhaust and tiny little number plates! That shocked me too....lol