Jon Posted December 10, 2009 Posted December 10, 2009 It's second nature really, you just know when to change gears. The screaming of the engine is also a little hint.
Raining_again Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 RPMs not revs, and yeah 2 grand is pretty low outside of diesels and trucks or granny driving. its a loose term for rpm... revolutions per minute. (just me?) Is it normal to be over 2k then? Although a diesel is definitely more sensitive (at least the one i drove) because the second I hit 2k it was screaming for a change. But you kinda HAVE to rev a petrol car or it goes nowhere I have to get a good 3k going when i'm reversing out of my drive, its a big hill start. Scary. That was my biggest challenge, and I whanged the car off the pebble dash (thankfully it hit the plastic bumper mwahah) I'm starting to know when to change up and down, still having difficulty with 5th gear. But I don't drive in country areas enough to get any practice. Every time I change down the engine is angry even though I'm going at a considerably slower speed. And don't forget the good ol' 45mph speed limit. Yay for northern ireland's crazy restrictions.
Paj! Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 Tried my own car again tonight, wasn't as good as I was earlier today. TBF own car I'm not used to, foggy, night, icy etc. But yeah. I think the practice I'm gonna do as much as possible will just keep helping me. Need to actually think about my theory at some point too..
Nolan Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 its a loose term for rpm... revolutions per minute. (just me?) No that's correct but...revs just doesn't sound as good so I'm nitpicking. Is it normal to be over 2k then? Although a diesel is definitely more sensitive (at least the one i drove) because the second I hit 2k it was screaming for a change. But you kinda HAVE to rev a petrol car or it goes nowhere I have to get a good 3k going when i'm reversing out of my drive, its a big hill start. Scary. That was my biggest challenge, and I whanged the car off the pebble dash (thankfully it hit the plastic bumper mwahah) I'm starting to know when to change up and down, still having difficulty with 5th gear. But I don't drive in country areas enough to get any practice. Every time I change down the engine is angry even though I'm going at a considerably slower speed. And don't forget the good ol' 45mph speed limit. Yay for northern ireland's crazy restrictions. In my experience the gearing of a Diesel means plenty of power at lower RPM, but in petrol car shifting usually occurs higher. It all depends on how you drive, I can accelerate to 55MPH without going over 2K but it's boringly slow, normal acceleration results in shifting around 3K. Of course in my dads Honda it shifts even higher than that but it also doesn't redline until 7K as opposed to my 5K. What does your car idle at in neutral? I'd say don't downshift unless you're nearing that point. 45MPH is like....really slow. You practically don't even need 5th gear at those speeds.
Will Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 How you drive and of course the car, I tend to change up at about 3k in normal traffic then 7k when I'm going some. If your cruising at 45mph then you want to be in as high a gear as possible really, all helps the economy!
tapedeck Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 Justy bought a new car. 4 (or five to be precise!) door Fiesta 2003 Zetec 1.4. Good, reliable car. Fords are. My AUTOMATIC (heh) Micra finally annoyed me so much that I just decided to shell out for a newer car. Previously owned all kinds of cars from 988cc's to 2L. Happy with my current setup which is good for inner-city driving. Automatics are pretty good tbf yet arguably take the 'fun' out of driving. If you don't find driving fun though they are good. Although I 'like' cars...I miss travelling to work on my jetski!!!
Caris Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 We had a old Fiesta that was a L reg and it only just need to be scrapped last year.
Goafer Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 Not sure about more modern Fords, but older ones rust like a fishermans bucket. Mk1 and 2 Escorts are all different sorts of awesome though. They make great rally cars (Colin McRae and tonnes of other rally drivers learned to race in one). I got to drive one when I did my Rally Day. We had a old Fiesta that was a L reg and it only just need to be scrapped last year. 16 years old and it had to be scrapped? Bah! That's puberty for a VW!
Raining_again Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 No that's correct but...revs just doesn't sound as good so I'm nitpicking. In my experience the gearing of a Diesel means plenty of power at lower RPM, but in petrol car shifting usually occurs higher. It all depends on how you drive, I can accelerate to 55MPH without going over 2K but it's boringly slow, normal acceleration results in shifting around 3K. Of course in my dads Honda it shifts even higher than that but it also doesn't redline until 7K as opposed to my 5K. Yes, its definitely more sensitive. But I find the changes up to be similar. I have to go into 2nd nearly instantly after moving off in 1st. Had a biiit more leeway with the diesel. Going into 4th would be about 30-32mph, 5th would be at 40-42mph. The diesel could have done 45mph without a problem, my petrol needed to go into 5th. But then I could be granny driving And something else, the braking on a diesel is soooooooooosooooooo sensitive. I found emergency stops difficult in a diesel because the car starts to behave funny the second you put the brake on. I have to nearly slam the brake on and my petrol wouldn't stall. But my petrol is older so that may be the difference. What does your car idle at in neutral? I'd say don't downshift unless you're nearing that point. 45MPH is like....really slow. You practically don't even need 5th gear at those speeds. Hmm I'm not overly sure, I'll make a mental note. I usually shift down if the car was being funny. 45mph is bloody ridiculous tbh. I'm going along in 4th at 42mph on a 60 road. People get pissed off. But what can I do, I'm not breaking the law for them!! And I'm nearly sure R's only get 6 penalty points then its bannage.
Nolan Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 The diesel could have done 45mph without a problem, my petrol needed to go into 5th. My mothers truck can do 45 in 1st gear. :p that's terrible for the economy though
Raining_again Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 My mothers truck can do 45 in 1st gear. :p that's terrible for the economy though :( I've got a piddly 1 litre engine. Shush you boy!
Goafer Posted December 11, 2009 Posted December 11, 2009 :( I've got a piddly 1 litre engine. Shush you boy! My Polo is a 1l. It was quite a change seeing as the smallest engine I'd driven before was a 1.3l and that felt fast anyway due to having no roof, doors or windows. Plus it weighed as much as a skateboard. The main thing I've noticed with the smaller engine is that you have to shift up sooner as the gearbox has shorter gear ratios to accomodate for less power. This also means that the top speed is more limited. Acceleration isn't too bad though. I got 70mph out of the MR2 in 3rd gear. Good times. I also accelerated so fast once, that part of the dashboard fell off. I'm glad I got rid of that car, the temptation to give it the beans was far too much. I'll stick to my retro cars methinks, I like to take it easy on them.
Raining_again Posted December 12, 2009 Posted December 12, 2009 My Polo is a 1l. It was quite a change seeing as the smallest engine I'd driven before was a 1.3l and that felt fast anyway due to having no roof, doors or windows. Plus it weighed as much as a skateboard. The main thing I've noticed with the smaller engine is that you have to shift up sooner as the gearbox has shorter gear ratios to accomodate for less power. This also means that the top speed is more limited. Acceleration isn't too bad though. I got 70mph out of the MR2 in 3rd gear. Good times. I also accelerated so fast once, that part of the dashboard fell off. I'm glad I got rid of that car, the temptation to give it the beans was far too much. I'll stick to my retro cars methinks, I like to take it easy on them. Yeah you do have to change up pretty fast (comparing to a 1.4/1.6 diesel). I coulda easily coasted at 45 (maybe more) in the diesel, but the 1litre petrol wouldn't put up with that. You pretty much have to put the pedal to the boards to build up speed quickly. top speed... I think my mum got it up to 70 and it was nearly gonna fall apart onto her lap :P (ofcourse i don't do those sorts of speeds ) Then again, unless you do a lotta motorway driving there is no point having a speedy car. I only go to the town and back, which has max 40 speed most of the way :P
ReZourceman Posted December 19, 2009 Posted December 19, 2009 I totally painted my keys to match my car.
Shorty Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 My g/f's driving instructor has told her to use low gears as much as possible when driving in ice, including starting off. This is the opposite of what I do, and what I've been lead to believe, which is that less torque from a higher gear helps you maintain control and reduces spinning in icy conditions. What do you guys think? Is her driving instructor wrong? Or does he have valid reasons to think that?
AeroScap Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 My g/f's driving instructor has told her to use low gears as much as possible when driving in ice, including starting off. This is the opposite of what I do, and what I've been lead to believe, which is that less torque from a higher gear helps you maintain control and reduces spinning in icy conditions. What do you guys think? Is her driving instructor wrong? Or does he have valid reasons to think that? I was always told and have done to start the car in like 2nd instead of first! since the sudden starting motion is not as extreme and slower with 2nd
Charlie Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 I was taught to drive in as high a gear as possible if its icy....
MoogleViper Posted January 12, 2010 Author Posted January 12, 2010 My g/f's driving instructor has told her to use low gears as much as possible when driving in ice, including starting off. This is the opposite of what I do, and what I've been lead to believe, which is that less torque from a higher gear helps you maintain control and reduces spinning in icy conditions. What do you guys think? Is her driving instructor wrong? Or does he have valid reasons to think that? Higher gears help to reduce wheel spin. However if you lose control then a lower gear is better as the engine breaking will reduce the speed.
Nolan Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 Higher gears help to reduce wheel spin. However if you lose control then a lower gear is better as the engine breaking will reduce the speed. Engine breaking will slow the vehicle regardless of gear. A lower gear will only decelerate quicker if you were already going fairly quick, if you're on ice you shouldn't be going fast. Even if your tires have stopped you may still be moving anyways regardless of any gear. Honestly driving in as high a gear as possible is always preferred even when it's not icy. But yea, lower torque reduces wheelspin.
Raining_again Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 Higher gear (2nd) when starting off, lower gear when going (as said engine breaking) obviously in either case if you cant control it there's no point in even behaving differently. I had to reverse on a wet sheet of solid ice today, that was extremely fun! (read: not fun)
Gizmo Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 One advantage to driving in snow: powersliding around corners in a 1.1litre 206.
MoogleViper Posted January 12, 2010 Author Posted January 12, 2010 Engine breaking will slow the vehicle regardless of gear. A lower gear will only decelerate quicker if you were already going fairly quick, if you're on ice you shouldn't be going fast. Even if your tires have stopped you may still be moving anyways regardless of any gear. Honestly driving in as high a gear as possible is always preferred even when it's not icy. But yea, lower torque reduces wheelspin. Yeah but doing 30 in 3rd will have more enginge breaking than doing 30 in 4th.
Goafer Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 I don't think it matters which gear you use to pull away in snow, just as long as you're smooth. Higher gears are easier to avoid wheelspin, but worse if the wheels do start spinning as they can spin faster. That's my theory on it.
Will Posted January 12, 2010 Posted January 12, 2010 I would think he probably means lowest gear that you control the car in, which in snow is higher than usual, but you don't want to be burning out clutches by starting out in 5th all the time. Some people really are crap drivers, the snow here was never that bad. I drove to work every day in it with no problems whatsoever in a car that is in no way intended for snow driving. Yet still we have people skidding along our road and having trouble getting going, I have absolutely no idea how they can't do it.
Recommended Posts