Technical What is the best way to drive a Stilo?

[fval]

Also it may sound stupid, my point is very simple: are there some technical specifications regarding when one should change to an upper or lower gear?
For instance, some cars have specifications like this: up to 30km/hour you should use the 1st gear, between 20 and 50 km/hour you hould use the 2nd gear and so on.

I know that these kinds of speifications are rather orientative but since I am not the greatest driver it would help me to protect the engine of my car.

I have a Stilo 1,4 Active, 2004.

Thanks.

 

[DOG]

driving normally, i change gear between 2 and 3thousand rpm, but this is in an abarth with a bit of grunt. with the 1.4 you may need to rev higher than this. but to be honest, engines are built so well these days, and oils have improved so much that it is almost impossible to ruin an engine no matter how you drive.

 

[thatsean]

Id agree - im normally up to 20 in 1st, 35 in 2nd 40 in 3rd and then nearly straight into 4th - but the engine on the 1.6 seems quite flexible, your 1.4 isnt that less powerful; i wouldnt worry about it give it a good rev and it'll be fine....

 

[SHC]

I have the 1.2, I'm never quite sure when to change up. I never go into 6th as even on the flat motorway it struggles a bit. My consumption isnt brilliant either. At the moment I keep between 2000 and 3000 revs, maybe I should change up later and use more of the rev range - I dont know. Any suggestions?

 

[DOG]

i know stiloboy has the 1.2 and he spanks his regularly but still manages over 40mpg.

 

[Scorg]

stiloboy does use the 6th gear which really does play the econemy gear very well.

my average in my 1.2 brava is 41 - 44 but can go upwards to 47 on a very long run, and thats with a 5 speed box.

This is for both the 1.2 and 1.6, usualy if im in no hurry I change gears at 2500 3000 rpm, but otherwise if needing to go a bit brisk it will be 3500 - 4000 (max torque in 1.2 and the 1.6 as well)

 

[thatsean]

On a related subject, im getting about 32 - 35 mpg from a 1.6 dynamic aircon off most of the time, this seems poor for such a heavy car, my driving sytle does lend itself towards low economy, but im surprised at this, does anyone think i should be worried by this?

 

[DOG]

wouldnt worry at all m8, thats roughly what i was getting when i had a 1.6. you dont want to know what i get with my abarth. oh and the quickest way to break your aircon is not to use it.

 

[StiloBoy]

I change around the 2K mark most of the time, unless its busy i then take it to 3 or 3.5k to keep up with the jones. When i'm in a bad mood, which is a lot recently i take it to 5k, 6k or even spanked right round to 7k.

If i totally spank the car its only up to 70mph, i'm usually in 4th by then so i just short shift it to 6th. Granted though if a bit of Frans Ferdinand is on the stereo and i'm in a bad mood i've seen 110mph in 6th with 3000rpm to go!

280miles covered at the moment on this tank, 43.8mpg, and thats 70% good driving, 30% spanked.

 

[leon_in_uk]

Id agree - im normally up to 20 in 1st, 35 in 2nd 40 in 3rd and then nearly straight into 4th - but the engine on the 1.6 seems quite flexible, your 1.4 isnt that less powerful; i wouldnt worry about it give it a good rev and it'll be fine....

so you get through some petrol then mate, lol

second asap, up to 20mph then 3rd, then at 30mph or just over 4th, over 40mph 5th gear....... and the diesel just lasts and lasts

 

[twincamms]

Only one way..........................................FAST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mike1a1]

Only one way..........................................FAST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't agree more. I think that an average consumption of 22.7 mpg speaks for it's self. I love driving this car. I had a Clio Williams befor my abarth but I enjoy this car more. I cant wait to stard tweeking it though. PS The book speed of the Abarth is 136mph, so can anyone explain why at Rockingham Oval on a test day I had the speedo reading just under 150mpg. I've got a picture that the passanger took and I'd say it was about 147.
Awsome car I love. Just got to get the £3000 together for the 320bhp supercharger tee hee good by gear box and drive sharfts and dif and........

 

[daftcars.com]

PS The book speed of the Abarth is 136mph, so can anyone explain why at Rockingham Oval on a test day I had the speedo reading just under 150mpg. I've got a picture that the passanger took and I'd say it was about 147.QUOTE]

See the top speed thread about speedo inaccuracy.

 

[daftcars.com]

Here's the lik: https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?p=162213#post162213

 

[Mike1a1]

Here's the lik: https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?p=162213#post162213

To be totally honest I knew that speedo readings became a little unreliable at speed but it still pisses of all the xr2 drivers when you show them the picture after they have called your car "a womans shopping car"

 

[James M]

Do you really need help on knowing when to change gear? I'm not being sarcastic, or nasty, but maybe you should think about taking some additional driving lessons, plenty people do, or even some sessions with an experienced friend.

 

[Stu DemonD]

Well put, James.

Surely how you drive the car depends on the prevailing conditions! If you stick to rules, i.e. change up at 2500rpm, then this becomes too rigid.

You can only learn by experience, and find a technique and style that suits you - everyone drives differently