Acceleration and Gear Choice

[Old Mechanic]

dcb nailed it. pick the gear that gets you closest to you ideal rpm and load. there are cases where a very gradual acceleration in highest gear may be the better choice, which it was in my CVT Insight. Very slight up and down grades allowed for acceleration with very little fuel mileage loss while maxing the instant mpg gauge at 150 mpg when going downhill.

regards
Mech

[euromodder]

Since the air intake is repaired, it seems I can do 70 kph / 45 mph in 5th at lower fuel consumption than in 4th ! That never worked before, so the leaks must have been there for ages

[320touring]

Originally Posted by Varn

a computer could improve the efficiency but getting the car in top gear early is a good thing for economy, I do it for all my vehicles including my 2 ton econoline.

I dont have a computer- just a little "Econoomy gauge" that moves dependant on engine load.

I also aim like you say to be in as high a gear as possible as soon as possible- I call it the "Taxi Rumble"

[320touring]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Since the air intake is repaired, it seems I can do 70 kph / 45 mph in 5th at lower fuel consumption than in 4th ! That never worked before, so the leaks must have been there for ages

this is positive- has the DPF shenanigans dropped off too?