Gransnet forums

Chat

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise

To change or not to change (gear)

(4 Posts)
Add comment | Report
ExDancer Mon 11-Jul-22 09:42:45

My husband insists he's saving petrol by not changing gear in the (non automatic) car. By this I mean he'll start off in 1st, then change to 2nd and then skip straight up to 5th.
I always go up through all the gears until I consider top (5th in our car) is appropriate.
What do you do?
Does it really make any difference?

Add comment | Report
maddyone Mon 11-Jul-22 09:47:19

I always go up through the gears as you do, but I come down by going 4th to 2nd when turning a corner, which annoys my husband enormously, but it’s how I was taught to drive. I’ve no idea whether any of it saves petrol.

Add comment | Report
Blossoming Mon 11-Jul-22 09:51:55

I don’t think it saves petrol, but there’s no harm in upshifting if he’s doing it correctly and not giving you a bumpy ride. Downshifting is much harder to get right and can damage the clutch and transmission.

Add comment | Report
tanith Mon 11-Jul-22 10:17:24

Apparently it’s perfectly acceptable does no damage and does save fuel, I can’t imagine it’s very much though. I have tried it but I just find going up through the gears more comfortable. I do miss out 5 and 3 when coming down though.

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise