E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

Shifting at low RPMs...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-27-2007, 09:41 AM
  #1  
Senior Members
Thread Starter
 
elyk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Does shifting at lower RMPs in tiptronic help me save more gas? (ie: i shift gears every 2000rpm. last night i was in 6th gear when doing 60km/h)
what other ways can one save gas?
Old 10-27-2007, 09:55 AM
  #2  
Senior Members
 
AlexFW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Italy, Milano
Posts: 4,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 545i SMG with Limited Slip Differential
Model Year: 2005
Default

Originally Posted by elyk' post='486838' date='Oct 27 2007, 07:41 PM
Does shifting at lower RMPs in tiptronic help me save more gas? (ie: i shift gears every 2000rpm. last night i was in 6th gear when doing 60km/h)
what other ways can one save gas?

You need a 520d
Old 10-27-2007, 11:00 AM
  #3  
Contributors
 
EBMCS03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Default

Originally Posted by elyk' post='486838' date='Oct 27 2007, 10:41 AM
Does shifting at lower RMPs in tiptronic help me save more gas?
No not always. if you're lugging the engine it will use more gas than you are saving. Ideal shift points are different depending on how fast you are accelerating... normal regular acceleration to keep up with traffic I would think ideal shift point is around 2500ish... (*at least for my cars *) that will at least give the car enough of the power band to move the car without struggling... its almost like saying you want to climb a hill in 6th gear at 2000 rpms... Ya you're at 2000 rpms but your gas pedal is 3/4ths depressed... how much gas will that save?

Practice... get a fell for the car... find the point where the car accelerates "enough" yet you are pressing the gas pedal as little as possible... You know when you're lugging the engine if you depress the gas pedal a little more and yet the car is not accelerating more... the sweet spot is where the car has max response... ehhh or adequate response to your right foot.

Its hard to say... I want to say if you're not an above average manual driver then you're better off letting the autobox change gears for you... otherwise you're not saving any gas.
Old 10-27-2007, 11:11 AM
  #4  
Senior Members
Thread Starter
 
elyk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='486851' date='Oct 27 2007, 02:00 PM
No not always. if you're lugging the engine it will use more gas than you are saving. Ideal shift points are different depending on how fast you are accelerating... normal regular acceleration to keep up with traffic I would think ideal shift point is around 2500ish... (*at least for my cars *) that will at least give the car enough of the power band to move the car without struggling... its almost like saying you want to climb a hill in 6th gear at 2000 rpms... Ya you're at 2000 rpms but your gas pedal is 3/4ths depressed... how much gas will that save?

Practice... get a fell for the car... find the point where the car accelerates "enough" yet you are pressing the gas pedal as little as possible... You know when you're lugging the engine if you depress the gas pedal a little more and yet the car is not accelerating more... the sweet spot is where the car has max response... ehhh or adequate response to your right foot.

Its hard to say... I want to say if you're not an above average manual driver then you're better off letting the autobox change gears for you... otherwise you're not saving any gas.
understood
Old 10-27-2007, 11:19 AM
  #5  
Contributors
 
Belgian BMW Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Bornem, Belgium
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 520d M Sport Touring (born November 22nd, 2006) Carbon Black (metallic), Black Dakota Leather, 18" M135 L/Alloy Wheels with 245/40 R18 93Y Goodyear NCT5 tyres (Run-flats), Manual Transmission, Xenon headlamps, Headlamp-washer system, BMW 6 Disc CD Changer, Navigation-system Professional, Hi-Fi loudspeaker system, M Sport Package, Roof Rails, M-Sports Suspension, Sun Protection Glass, High Gloss Shadow Line, M-Aerodynamic Bodystyling, Anthracite Headlining, Cup Holders, Auto-Dim Interior Mirror, DVD Prep in rear, Side Blinds (manual), Automatic Air Conditioning, M Steering Wheel, Aluminium "Cube Pure" interior trim, Sports Seats, ISOFIX Child Seat System (front passenger seat), Park Distance Control
Default

Originally Posted by elyk' post='486838' date='Oct 27 2007, 07:41 PM
Does shifting at lower RMPs in tiptronic help me save more gas? (ie: i shift gears every 2000rpm. last night i was in 6th gear when doing 60km/h)
what other ways can one save gas?
I love this forum ! There's always someone who has the same question(s).

Honestly I've been asking myself too what the ideal shifting point is. It is true that if you shift gears at, lets say 2000 rpm you and up in 6th gear doing only 70/80 'ish... Not exactly a sporty way of driving and I ask myself if that is healthy for the engine too.

On several official sites of the government etc. shifting gears for DIESEL engines is advised at 2000 rpm, and for petrol engines at 2500 rpm, but I feel that 2000 rpm is too low.

Maybe you just have to try what rpm seems healthy for your engine in order to keep accelerating and thus saving gas. If you shift too early the engine will have to work much harder trying to keep the car in motion/acceleration --> more fuel consumption.

I wonder how those gear shift indicators on the new 1-series work. Anyone know if they are any good ?
Old 10-27-2007, 11:19 AM
  #6  
Contributors
 
EBMCS03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Default

Originally Posted by elyk' post='486854' date='Oct 27 2007, 12:11 PM
understood

Excellent! Now report back after a tank of gas and tell us how much it improved...
Old 10-27-2007, 02:04 PM
  #7  
Senior Members
 
Roleez's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NorCal
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 E92 335i M-Sport 6MT
Default

Aha, a perfect use for the mpg gauge!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bestofthebest
Complete Car Sales
4
03-28-2016 02:47 PM
bestofthebest
Complete Car Sales
5
01-05-2016 07:47 PM
bestofthebest
Private Member Classifieds
9
10-02-2015 03:21 PM
LILBZ3
E60 Discussion
2
09-27-2015 08:06 PM
Gadamsm5
E60 M5 Discussion
3
09-15-2015 11:43 AM



Quick Reply: Shifting at low RPMs...



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:39 PM.