ideas for saving fuel???

[unkleGsif]

that'll be the application of the load pedal in the golf... I was like that in my Saab

G

 

[lewis1641]

that'll be the application of the load pedal in the golf... I was like that in my Saab

G

yeah, he is a student engineer and always messing around with it. he has got nearly 200bhp out of an 8valve which is an impressive feat

 

[Neil]

what is the issue with engine braking?

Those that pontificate about it, like to make up catchy, trite, phrases like: "gears to go, brakes to slow..."

There is some rationale behind this thinking, though - over simplistic it may be, but clutches and gearboxes tend to be more expensive to maintain (if indeed you do have to) than discs and pads (or drums and shoes).

I suspect there's also something about the use of gears, too, though that is part of their thinking - when and what to shift to, rather than thinking every gear must be used in sequence.

i was taught that way and certainly find it smoother than using the brakes

Which comes back to my earlier point about habits and what people learnt.

I think what it really comes down to is the advanced driver lobby don't expect no engine braking to happen - they don't expect people to descend a steep hill riding the brakes all the way down. My understanding is that they have no issue with the gear selection, and engine speed controlling the road speed (eg descending steep hils), but they ruffle their wrinkly brows about going down through the gears to slow a car down on level surfaces.

They advocate braking, then - and only then - selecting the correct gear for any acceleration (or clutch, neutral and possibly handbrake if having to stop).

And in fairness, that's the sort of use of gears you'd be expected to make, if you were to take a driving test, these days.

 

[BikesINPortlandOREGON]

Get a GEO METRO XFI the only cost about half of most your builds and they get 48+ mpg.

 

[mass199]

I always use the gears to slow down.

I've done plenty of 4x4 off roading and using the brakes can/will get you out of control very easily especially down hill

This will also help driving in snow.

On the road I just plod around at 45-50mph works for me

 

[Neil]

I always use the gears to slow down.

I've done plenty of 4x4 off roading and using the brakes can/will get you out of control very easily especially down hill

This will also help driving in snow.

In fairness, though, you've just taken 2 scenarios, which are somewhat extreme, and extrapolated that to all driving.

I'm sure the advanced driving lobby expect that either when driving off-road or descending steep hills, you'll need to use an appropriate gear to control speed.

Same with snow and slippery conditions.

However, what they, correctly, expect, is the right technique for the conditions, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

 

[unkleGsif]

Get a GEO METRO XFI the only cost about half of most your builds and they get 48+ mpg.

Is that 48mpg before, or after you shovelled all that crap.. I mean ICE in the back?

Id rather have a "modern" car that gets 65-70mpg... like mine


G

 

[BikesINPortlandOREGON]

Get a GEO METRO XFI the only cost about half of most your builds and they get 48+ mpg.

Is that 48mpg before, or after you shovelled all that crap.. I mean ICE in the back?

Id rather have a "modern" car that gets 65-70mpg... like mine


G

well think of it this way. cheap to buy. cheap to insure. cheap to fix.

I mean under a thousand and your good to go with 48 city. Im guessing you got a prius......

 

[MikeD]

Is that 48 in US gallons? That'd be 56 in sturdy Imperial gallons. Not bad at all

 

[mass199]

However, what they, correctly, expect, is the right technique for the conditions, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.[/quote]


At least my approach will get me about in all conditions.