What gear do you drive round town in?

[Legojon]

Having learnt to drive decades ago, I was taught that at 30mph 4th gear was the gear to be in. But also to "listen to the engine". I realise most cars aren't happy doing 30mph in 4th gear so 31.5 was acceptable to avoid listening to the engine labour.

Since I've had my remap and poly engine mount I can no longer get away with 31.5 in 4th gear. In fact, I can hear the engine crying for help anything less than 36/37mph in 4th. I've had a quick search and apparently a poly engine mount doesn't cause the engine to labour, but the added vibration/noise highlights the problem more.

There's a lot of remapped high powered car owners on here... my question is:

1:- Is there something wrong with my car?
2:- Should I be using 3rd gear around town (which is low enough revs and smooth enough that I sometimes forget I'm not in 4th)?
3:- Stick it in 4th and listen to the engine cry?

Everything else with the car seems fine. The power is there, picks up as I'd expect. No additional noises or vibrations other than idle (which I expected with the poly mount) and the above. But even eg 5th gear which I could previously use from 40mph plus labours until I do 45mph now. Similar situation with 6th. Any thoughts?

 

[lsg60]

Probably not much help but I just use highest gear I can depending on conditions. My cupra will happily cruse in 6th doing 30 along a flat. My diesel Clio will do 30th in 5th..,

 

[cupra_ahhh]

Probably not much help but I just use highest gear I can depending on conditions. My cupra will happily cruse in 6th doing 30 along a flat. My diesel Clio will do 30th in 5th..,

Totally, just listen to the engine. I know a few people, my mother included, who won't leave 4th gear. My car sits happily in 6th at 30, around town i don't tend to go above 2500 / 3000 revs anyway.

 

[richicupra]

A long stretch of my commute is at 30 mph and the car is happy to sit in 4th gear at around 1800 rpm. 5th is a bit too laboured.

 

[ZiggyEP3]

30mph 5th gear is just right for hills and 6th only really for 30 on the flat or 40 uphill etc

 

[Daniel M]

I drive at 30 in 4th gear, usually 31-34 mph though.

 

[mike0105]

I use 6 to maintain a speed, any acceleration I'll drop down. Really don't want to labour the engine

 

[Euan1P]

I just pick which ever gear suites the conditions but driving around Edinburgh mostly keeps me in 1st or 2nd

 

[Hamburgalarr]

At 30 generally 3rd unless its a long straight.

 

[andycupra]

Christ all mighty.
Who comes up with these rules. ...
What if car has 4 gears? 5? 6? Or even 7.

Look at the Rev counter. Running at 30mph... pick the gear giving you around 1500 r pm is generally fine. Of course it depends on engine size v vehicle weight etc. Just use common sense.
Also gradients etc.
My mk1s cupra is happy in 5th at 30...ish but not if there is a gradient.

 

[kazand]

A mankini. But that's just how I roll.

 

[CRNeo]

My 1.6 Tdi (5 speed) very much prefers to be in 3rd cruising at 30mph.

 

[andycupra]

Having learnt to drive decades ago, I was taught that at 30mph 4th gear was the gear to be in. But also to "listen to the engine". I realise most cars aren't happy doing 30mph in 4th gear so 31.5 was acceptable to avoid listening to the engine labour.

most cars are not happy in 4th gear doing 30mph? in what world is this?

I've had a quick search and apparently a poly engine mount doesn't cause the engine to labour...

and why would it?

an engine mount will have nothing to do with labouring. sounds like you have just put in stiffer mounts which are not so forgiving so its made the ride/feedback harsher.

what rpm is the engine running at when at 30mph in 4th?
and what remap is it you had ?

 

[Dan FR]

I use 6 to maintain a speed, any acceleration I'll drop down. Really don't want to labour the engine

This is the perfect explanation. You can drive around in 6th at 30mph on level ground if you simply wish to maintain speed, but you would need to drop a cog or two to accelerate.

Generally I drive around in 4th with traffic around, slowing and speeding up a little, or 5th on a more open road

 

[LCR33]

Mines happy down to 25 in sixth.

 

[Legojon]

sounds like you have just put in stiffer mounts which are not so forgiving so its made the ride/feedback harsher.

what rpm is the engine running at when at 30mph in 4th?
and what remap is it you had ?

I think so too. Checked this morning and at 30mph in 4th I'm at 1250 revs. The remap is a P-Torque stage 1.

 

[PAULTDI67]

Definitely listening to the engine I find 4th is right for 30mph but must admit I'm a lazy twat & just throw it in 5th &let the engine catch up useualy with my tdi it'seems happy @50 in 5th DEFINITELY IGNORE MFD SUGGESTIONS can't pull 6th only on fast A roads&m/ways

 

[65coupe]

A mankini. But that's just how I roll.

This is exactly how I read this thread topic too

except I wear leather driving gloves, dark sunglasses and a dark coloured suit, Transporter style

 

[andycupra]

I think so too. Checked this morning and at 30mph in 4th I'm at 1250 revs. The remap is a P-Torque stage 1.

on that basis 4th sounds ok but wont be great on inclines / when acceleration is needed.

 

[Legojon]

This is exactly how I read this thread topic too

except I wear leather driving gloves, dark sunglasses and a dark coloured suit, Transporter style

I only just got the Mankini reference. Although I do have a driving hat. Which apparently makes me look like a drug dealer. Just the image I was going for cruising round town.