Sixth Gear, what's it for?

[Dyscontinued]

A couple of weeks ago I drove from near Leeds to the bottom of London down the M1 and M25.

For a lot of the way I got distracted to comparing 5th and 6th gear economy.

I found that 5th was more economical than 6th at nearly every speed up until 95mph.

Is that normal? If so, 6th really does seem quite redundant.

Incidentally with the M25 empty on the Sunday drive back I managed to get home in 3 1/2 hours Averages 68mph and about 48mpg.
Took slightly longer to get down there but averaged 53mpg.

 

[thebeno]

Maybe better economy but still reduces engine life by driving at higher rev's. 6th is nice and easy to cruise

 

[ChrisUK]

6th is a great cruising gear - I hit 61mpg on a whole trip once thanks to 6th (I was running out of juice though lol)

 

[muddyboots]

The 6th gear in my Ibiza TDI Sport (37.5mph/1000rpm, I think it was reduced in later FR/Cupra models) was so high, that it was only really useable at motorway speeds.
Any lower speeds and you were right off boost where the engine is sluggish and uneconomical, I agree most of the time (anywhere except motorways) it was less economical than using 5th.

It's often more efficient to use a lower gear, if it means the engine is running at it's most efficient speed and isn't laboured.

 

[sssstew]

yep craig notes here :-

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=138911

that his 6th gear is better at 85.

 

[IainW]

It's good for cruising along in. I actually use it a lot on normal roads, but only above a certain speed and if it's on a fairly straight road. Any lower and it just gets sluggish.

 

[Dyscontinued]

I already get told I drive in too low a gear and strain my clutch.

Forgot to mention it's a Mk1 Leon Cupra 150 TDi.