Gear shifting with diesel

[Spoddy]

oh and once your car is run in (around 1500kms) don't be afraid to stick it in 5th at around 60km and 6th at around 75. it barely burns any fuel using this method.

1500? This is a diesel remember

Another question, at some point, because a diesel loves work and work under load, when should firm acceleration be turned into very firm acceleration under load like up a steep hill in a tall gear?

[Mischa]

1500? This is a diesel remember

well you know what i mean... run in enough to be able to drive it fairly normally. its not fully run in till 50000kms

[gregozedobe]

For slowing down I would be leaving the car in gear with the clutch out, changing down gears as I go. Aim for being in a gear that you could accelerate in if you had to (ie keeping the revs above 1400 or so after you have let the clutch out). Someday this habit may just save your life if you ever need to get out of someone's way.

If I am driving up a steep hill I would be keeping the revs above 2000. Just because a TDI will pull up a steep hill at 1400 or 1600 rpm doesn't mean it is good for the engine to do so.

If driving on the flat or downhill it is acceptable to run at low revs (unless you are still trying to run the engine in).

I am happy to use full throttle on a warm engine and regularly run it up to 3500 right from the very beginning (ie less than 100Km on the odometer), and up to 4000rpm once the car has done 1000Km.

I am firmly of the opinion that the best way to run an engine in is by allowing it to work, but there are many and varied opinions on the best way to run engines in (particularly diesels). Try a search on this and other VW forums and you'll see what I mean.

[Bazzamon]

I ran my 2 day old 1.9 dsg in by going on a 2000km driving 3 day holiday. By doing this you can often give the motor a variety of working conditions. I kept my revs below 2500rpm. I now nearly a year later I ahve the sweetest running little diesel motor. no oil consumed til 13000km & its down about 3 mm dipped when cold. Bazza

[Logzy]

I kept my revs below 2500rpm. Bazza

Why....???

[en13]

wow. i have to write this down! i've always been in the habit of clutching in, i think it's because i have this mindset that if i slow down at say 4th gear without clutching in/changing the gears, the car will stall...

yeah i'm still running the car in- it hasn't even done 100! but i'll keep all this in mind when it is run in.

For slowing down I would be leaving the car in gear with the clutch out, changing down gears as I go. Aim for being in a gear that you could accelerate in if you had to (ie keeping the revs above 1400 or so after you have let the clutch out). Someday this habit may just save your life if you ever need to get out of someone's way.

If I am driving up a steep hill I would be keeping the revs above 2000. Just because a TDI will pull up a steep hill at 1400 or 1600 rpm doesn't mean it is good for the engine to do so.

If driving on the flat or downhill it is acceptable to run at low revs (unless you are still trying to run the engine in).

I am happy to use full throttle on a warm engine and regularly run it up to 3500 right from the very beginning (ie less than 100Km on the odometer), and up to 4000rpm once the car has done 1000Km.

I am firmly of the opinion that the best way to run an engine in is by allowing it to work, but there are many and varied opinions on the best way to run engines in (particularly diesels). Try a search on this and other VW forums and you'll see what I mean.

and thanks for that mischa, i didn't know that just revving the engine won't seal my rings- it just seems like everyone refers to it as that. thing is, i can't even get by 3000 without shuddering and thinking the engine's going to die!!! by revving up to about 3000, i can actually use 2nd gear to 55-60km/h! is that what everyone else gets?

simply revving the engine isnt going to seal your rings. you have to use hard acceleration to do so. so accelerate hard to the speed limit whenever you can but try not to go above 3800 revs in the first 1000kms.

[gregozedobe]

Thing is, i can't even get by 3000 without shuddering and thinking the engine's going to die!!! by revving up to about 3000, i can actually use 2nd gear to 55-60km/h! is that what everyone else gets?

Speed in gears depends on the ratios in the gearbox and final drive. As long as your engine is properly warm, revving it to 3,000rpm under load (or even better, 3,500 ) won't do it any harm at all, and in fact will do it a lot of good.

You may just need to get used to the noises a diesel makes if you haven't driven one very much (they are different and noisier than petrol engines).

When cruising on the freeway or highway try to vary your revs between 1800 and 2,500 when running it in (we aren't telling you to drive along with your engine constantly revving at 3,500rpm), with short bursts of hard acceleration to 3,500 when traffic permits (eg after 60Kmh limits, roadworks etc).

[en13]

yeah i think i just have to get used to the noise it makes and i just have to get over my baby style of driving thanks everyone!

[mikinoz]

Like those before, I feel that keeping the car in gear is best.

You will end up with a greater particulate buildup if you coast to a stop in neutral, than if you don't and this will cause more soot at take off.

I hope you enjoy it!