just like rcheing I try to keep it in the highest gear posible. I usually try to stay under 2K rpms. the last couple weeks i've been at about 21MPG [thats with some spirited driving now and then] but I've also been running rich lately[...again]

 

i usually keep it at 2k or less... book says driving at 1500rpm os optimal for gas savin and at 37mph u can safely drive in 5th and still have power to accelerate... at least for my 12v 2.8 lol... im pretty sure u will need a lil extra for the 1.8... but now that i think about it... ive never checked my fuel mileage. ill do that next fill up

 

That's totally wrong. The best gear to be in is the one where you have to press the gas pedal the least to go the speed you want. If you're in a gear so high that the engine's bogging then that's not a good gear to be in.

 

im just going by what the book says... but if u just barely press the gas pedal then ur at a higher rpm which is more wear and tear on the motor.. its a pick ur poison kinda thing lol

 

Actually dragonrage, you are correct that you have to be in the highest gear possible to keep your speed while pressing the gas pedal "lightly", but my B5 is able to pull on a straight leveled road from 35mph in 5th gear without a problem. Of course it's not the speediest but it doesn't feel like the engine is bogging either. I guess it may have something to do with my clutch still being good.

 

I wasn't specifically saying whether you could or couldn't, or otherwise giving specific examples. I don't think I would agree with you in that example, but hey, I expect to be thrown back in my seat when I hit the gas. My primary car has a 6.0 liter V8.

 

Exequiel the best advice you can probably get is keep your eyes on the road and not on the tachometer. Our 4 cylinder engines are good on gas your probably not going to get much better than 400 miles on a tank even if your shifting at 2k.