Christ,
Quote:
#1 -it makes more sense to accelerate with the engine under as much load as possible.
#2 -it makes more sense to accelerate smoothly in the highest gear without lugging the engine.
#3 -remaining aware of your situation and using good judgement will tell you which method to use and when.
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Wouldn't engine efficiency while accelerating follow a parabolic curve?
Obviously lugging is bad, but even at a speed where the vehicle is moving just fast enough to not lug the engine, say, 35mph in 5th gear on your average car. Let's say you want to accelerate from there to 50mph. In 5th gear, and assuming a flat road, one would have to press pretty far on the gas pedal to get decent acceleration (even for a hypermiler) at those speeds. Where as fourth gear, I believe, would get the car up to 50 much more efficiently.
So if #1 and #2 are true, then 5th gear would be the best choice if it doesn't lug. However if 4th gear is more efficient, then #1 and #2 are false.
Thoughts?
JMac