Team-BHP - View Single Post - ARTICLE: How to get the maximum Fuel Efficiency

JSB · 24th August 2007, 11:27

Hey guys, need some gyan.
I drive in peak Mumbai traffic on weekdays and hence mostly drive in the first 3 gears. Now consider the following situation, which I am sure many of us would have experienced a lot. It’s bumper to bumper traffic, very slow moving and u need to stop-move-stop very frequently.

Which of the following styles is more fuel efficient and gentle on the engine:
1) U keep the car in gear and with the clutch pressed. This results in lesser gear shift but more usage of clutch. U end up riding the clutch for as much as 20-30 seconds.
2) U keep putting the car in neutral, even for a short duration (2-3 seconds) and hence remove the foot from the clutch. This results in much more frequent gear shift but much lesser usage of clutch.

A detailed technical explanation would be greatly appreciated. Also one more query:
3) Is it advisable to directly start the car in 2nd gear instead of 1st?

Thanks in advance!

24th August 2007, 11:27	#122 (permalink)
JSB Newbie Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4	Hey guys, need some gyan. I drive in peak Mumbai traffic on weekdays and hence mostly drive in the first 3 gears. Now consider the following situation, which I am sure many of us would have experienced a lot. It’s bumper to bumper traffic, very slow moving and u need to stop-move-stop very frequently. Which of the following styles is more fuel efficient and gentle on the engine: 1) U keep the car in gear and with the clutch pressed. This results in lesser gear shift but more usage of clutch. U end up riding the clutch for as much as 20-30 seconds. 2) U keep putting the car in neutral, even for a short duration (2-3 seconds) and hence remove the foot from the clutch. This results in much more frequent gear shift but much lesser usage of clutch. A detailed technical explanation would be greatly appreciated. Also one more query: 3) Is it advisable to directly start the car in 2nd gear instead of 1st? Thanks in advance! Last edited by JSB : 24th August 2007 at 11:28.