I do what my instructor told me to do.

Well, during the test I did, especially with a traffic cop sat next to me as the examiner.

During the test, I was driving through roadworks on the M1, speed limit 40 mph.

As you can imagine, everyone was passing me. the instructor turns to me and say's "keep up to speed with the rest of the traffic, as it will be safer":confused:

The strangest bit of the test is the running comentry you have to do.

Much harder to concentrate on the driving, than when your on the mobile phone:rolleyes:

Anyway, I too stay in a high gear is I'm not making progress due to heavy traffic. However, if its a clear road and it is safe, I make full use of capabilities of the car.

During the test, I was driving through roadworks on the M1, speed limit 40 mph. As you can imagine, everyone was passing me. the instructor turns to me and say's "keep up to speed with the rest of the traffic, as it will be safer":confused:

If you had to be told something like that on a normal driving test it'd be an instant fail.

I'm sure a Gatso would not make that distinction!

Hi

First up, the 5th and 6th ratio are lower on later cars, so two different requirements. Next, have you asked your observer why you should use 3rd? The IAM introduced the concept of driving around in 3rd at 30mph to help people who could not work the throttle properly or those driving cars that needed the use of third from creeping over the speed limit.

There is no problem with 4th at 30mph and my learners can easily control the speed in 4th at 30mph, so in theory an advanced motorist should have no problem at all. There will be times when a demand for accelleration is anticipated, where 3rd or even 2nd might be a good idea.

The objective should be to demonstrate control and anticipation. To do this, the car should be in the most suitable gear for the prevailing or imminent speed and load requirement. So you would use 3rd if on a hill at 30mph, maybe to help slow the car on a downhill gradient, or avoid loading the engine on an uphill one.

As for keeping it above 2000rpm, all you are doing is wasting fuel if the engine is not under significant load. We have a stretch of 40mph limit for a coule of miles through roadworks here at the moment. I can pop the car in 6th and cruise along without labouring the engine to achieve a comfortable 70+mpg. Run a serach on post with the phrase "pumping efficiency" where the subject was done to death.

And just to get up your observers nose some more, you can even cruise in 5th at 30 in cars with the later gearbox provided you change down when you need to accelerate.

In general driving conditions, I find 6th to give a useful level of responsiveness down to 50 mph and good respose above 60mph.

Chris

I'm sure a Gatso would not make that distinction!

I would expect an advanced driver to have good enough observation to spot a gatso.

As for keeping it above 2000rpm' date=' all you are doing is wasting fuel if the engine is not under significant load. We have a stretch of 40mph limit for a coule of miles through roadworks here at the moment. I can pop the car in 6th and cruise along without labouring the engine to achieve a comfortable 70+mpg. Run a serach on post with the phrase "pumping efficiency" where the subject was done to death.

Chris[/quote']

I can keep mine above 1,900 and still achieve 70+mpg, I find fuel consumption more relative to trottle position and rate of acceration... Plus if I get some wannabe beside me, I'm always ready...

Chris

P.s. F.A.O. Chris GB - You still got my camera Not long now...

70+? :eek: Be thankful if I could get close to 50.

All I know is that if I'm on the flat, 6th gear at 50mph is the most economical for me. Sure its only about 1250rpm, but its for cruising. Cruise control happily keeps it there, and it behaves. I just know if I need to hoof it I can knock it up-left-down for 4th and be at 2200rpm ish and be in prime position.

Going downhill at 30mph? 6th gear for me. Just on tickover, no braking needed, it just holds there.

Going downhill at 30mph? 6th gear for me. Just on tickover, no braking needed, it just holds there.

can't be a very steep hill :confused:

I can keep mine above 1' date='900 and still achieve 70+mpg, I find fuel consumption more relative to trottle position and rate of acceration... Plus if I get some wannabe beside me, I'm always ready...

Chris

P.s. F.A.O. Chris GB - You still got my camera Not long now...[/quote']

I seem to get really good fuel consumption if cruising along the 40mph roadworks in top. Have not averaged through this bit yet, but seems to alternate between 63 and 135 mpg on the level or slight incline bits, and --- on the downhill bits. I am down there Friday so will nudge the reset and do an average.

Chris

PS. Yep. Still got it, all packed and ready to go.

Never below 1800 rpm cause engine is designed to be driven above that!

If you ever got chance to drive automatic tdi you will notice that the gearbox keeps the revs always in the turbo zone except you have no load at all, going slightly downhill etc.

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

Doesn't the Octavia vRS have 5 gears??

Doesn't the Octavia vRS have 5 gears??

Not the Red ones in Chatham, no.

I'll stick to 5er until 75mph, then I use 6th gear.

I get 35-40 MPG.

Do I win £5?

I get 35-40 MPG.

Do I win

I havent read this whole thread, so somebody may have made this comment before me, if so I apologise, but in my opinion, economy driving usually does not go hand in hand with the best "drivability". You may get higher economy by using the highest gear possible, but rarely is it the safest for negotiating corners and such like.

In my car, I just drive for maximum drivability, often meaning low gears when appropriate rather than putting it off for economy reasons - after all the difference it makes is only say the difference between 28 and 30 MPG

With my driving style I've been able to do 50-53mpg. (odo reading now aprox. 1000miles)

I havent read this whole thread' date=' so somebody may have made this comment before me, if so I apologise, but in my opinion, economy driving usually does not go hand in hand with the best "drivability". You may get higher economy by using the highest gear possible, but rarely is it the safest for negotiating corners and such like.

In my car, I just drive for maximum drivability, often meaning low gears when appropriate rather than putting it off for economy reasons - after all the difference it makes is only say the difference between 28 and 30 MPG [/quote']

agreed. the gains people are getting from driving around in 6th at 20 mph or wehatever they do just arent worth the dull boring grandad experience.

With the current driving test IIRC shortly there will be an additional observation of driving in a ECO friendly manor, so things like changing from 2 to 4 and missing out 3 if the road allows will get you brownie points, and I think as the fabia pulls like a train from 1900rpm 6th isn't going to be an issue at 55mph +

Just my thoughts...

agreed. the gains people are getting from driving around in 6th at 20 mph or wehatever they do just arent worth the dull boring grandad experience.

not to mention that your gearbox will be suffering from insufficient lubrication. Keep the revs up:thumbup:

not to mention that your gearbox will be suffering from insufficient lubrication. Keep the revs up:thumbup:

insufficient lubrication is something I am very keen to avoid.

I havent read this whole thread' date=' so somebody may have made this comment before me, if so I apologise, but in my opinion, economy driving usually does not go hand in hand with the best "drivability". You may get higher economy by using the highest gear possible, but rarely is it the safest for negotiating corners and such like.

In my car, I just drive for maximum drivability, often meaning low gears when appropriate rather than putting it off for economy reasons - after all the difference it makes is only say the difference between 28 and 30 MPG [/quote']Yup, agree with that.

I suppose better mpg is more important to some people than better 'drivability'.

insufficient lubrication is something I am very keen to avoid.

Well, with what I've seen discussed on MSN, I'm not surprised.

I did a little experimenting this morning, and found that 50mph was good for sixth gear on the flat, and it would still accelerate, just not at pace. If I try at pace, I get the classic low revs turbo surge problem.

Well, with what I've seen discussed on MSN, I'm not surprised.

By using the word "seen" in that sentence you are trying to make people think that you are not involved in such conversations when, in reality, you are normally the instigator:rofl:

By using the word "seen" in that sentence you are trying to make people think that you are not involved in such conversations when, in reality, you are normally the instigator:rofl:

Indeed, shamefull attempt to separate himself from involvement in those particular convo's.