Using 5th gear

[trader97]

Hello all,

Just wondering what sort of speeds you are reaching before engaging 5th gear. I usually only put it in 5th when the speed is 40mph ish. I have a 1.9 DW8B Multispace year 2000 X plate.

Read somewhere that if you use 5th at too low a speed it will wear the gearbox quicker. What are your views? Many thanks, Dave.

[ron]

On the level I can drive in 5th @ 30mph. Generally 40mph is good on gentle climbs only.
At the end of the day I use the gear the old girl feels happiest at.:thumbsup:alut:

[C4LL_D]

I have 2.0 hdi and sometimes mine used to struggle coping in 4th doing 30mph as it was too slow. I bought a tuning box a couple of days ago and am still experimenting with the different maps as settings but now I can do 25mph in 4th and even 30mph in 5th. I'm hoping this will maybe improve mpg even though I'm happy with existing mpg

[inzor]

at 35mp in town i use 5th. if i need to accelerate i go into 4th to 50-55mph then go to 5th. 5th is useless at accelerating.

[Romahomepete]

Whatever speed feels comfortable depending on conditions. there is no hard and fast rule.

[talos]

On the level I can drive in 5th @ 30mph. Generally 40mph is good on gentle climbs only.
At the end of the day I use the gear the old girl feels happiest at.:thumbsup:alut:

Same here, drive in the highest gear it wont struggle with, save petrol.

[evdama]

If your centre display will give a real-time MPG figure use that to guage .If the motor is labouring the mpg will drop

[addo]

That's exactly my take on it - sometimes the results surprise, and you actually start to appreciate why a modern autobox may be shifting like it does.

[MudFT]

I have read many places that state 'change into the highest gear as quick as possible'.
Very bad advice. An engine that is labouring will use more fuel.

In general:
30mph = 3rd
The correct gear gives you more control and allows the engine to run more economically.

[Modmytop]

I have read many places that state 'change into the highest gear as quick as possible'.
Very bad advice. An engine that is labouring will use more fuel.

In general:
30mph = 3rd
The correct gear gives you more control and allows the engine to run more economically.

MK2 HDi. I find if its a 30mph zone, stay in 3rd. If you try and speed, engine sounds like it it is over reving. It helps to stay in the legal zone.