Good evening all,

This may be a total newbie question so please be gentle with your replies (LOL).

I have only just passed my driving test (last Friday) in a diesel car and I bought a petrol Fiat Grande Punto 1.2 Active (2008) in Metalic Grey on Sunday which was picked up on Tuesday. I must admit I think the car is lovely but it is taking me a little time to get used to it.

When I am driving at 30MPH the Rev counter is up at 30000RPM. I personally think that 30000RPM is too high and the best thing to do would be to go into 4th gear?

Any advice anyone can give in relation to MPH and gear selection with the GP 1.2 Active would be really helpful in terms of getting the best MPG. Like I said I am very new driver and I am just wishing to learn and get the best out of my car.

Kind Regards and I thank you for your time and your responses.

Stephen

Firstly its 30000 RPM not 30000. So what gear are you in when the car is doing 30MPH at 3000 RPM? 3rd I'm guessing so yes just shift up to 4th. Out of interest why do you Not think this the normal thing to do?

Because they have learned in a Diesel which revs lower than a petrol......


Gear selection all dependent on the conditions If your in busy traffic holding it in 3rd will use a bit more fuel but give you the ability the accelerate (the 1.2 is sluggish at the best of times ((( I used to have one before i get jumped on))) ) However on a clear road 4th will be the most efficient but leave you unable to accelerate as quickly


don't be surprised when you get on the motorway and find your Pulling 4000 RPM either

Ah right. I learnt in both a petrol and a diesel. Never noticed the difference really You Just know when to change, can feel if there's the power you need there etc. Never look at the rev counter.

Thank you both for your replies (sorry about the extra 0's).

Yes it is because I learned to drive in a diesel car. I am not used to the revs being so high but from the reaction I am getting from you good people on here I am thinking this is normal in a petrol car.

Also a smaller engine car revs higher at same speed. A 2.0 petrol would not be at 3000 rpm at 30mph in 3rd.

yes and dont be afraid to rev it they are happy to be revved once warm and pull best in my experience between 3 and 4 k revs....

rodduz said:

Firstly its 30000 RPM not 30000. So what gear are you in when the car is doing 30MPH at 3000 RPM? 3rd I'm guessing so yes just shift up to 4th. Out of interest why do you Not think this the normal thing to do?

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Drunk?

Why would I be drunk Heman?

You corrected him saying 30000 by saying 30000

Haha classic, I was even making a conscious effort not to do that. I blame tiredness.

its down to the gear box as i had the same query when i got my GP. my other car when doing 70 on mway rev to just under 3000 rpm but my 1.4 GP revs to 3800 rpm.

dont worry its fine, its just the way its been set up

enjoy the car mate

rodduz said:

Also a smaller engine car revs higher at same speed. A 2.0 petrol would not be at 3000 rpm at 30mph in 3rd.

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Not true- it's purely gear ratio dependant. A sportier model may be geared slightly lower for better acceleration in the lower gears, and the ratios spread further apart towards the top.

The little 900cc TwinAir is noticeably higher-geared than the 1.2 8v.

Come on guys, I'm the first to say it's only easy when you know the answer & all that, but driving any car no matter how big or small at the simplistic level you use your ears. Change gear when you recognise that certain pitch, simples as they say.

There still must be the odd car on the road without a rev counter

Maybe I've simplified things, but this is the easiest way to judge a gear change. This is just common sense. I mean it's only too easy to know when you're in the wrong gear. Vroom, vroom too much or little, educate your ears...

jimboy said:

There still must be the odd car on the road without a rev counter

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My mates old style 106 has a great big clock instead of one