Assuming stock diameter tires (25.5") and gears, 3,800 RPM is close to 68
mph. Do the math and figure various speeds from there. For extended runs,
you really want to keep the speed at 4,200 rpm or lower. Over this oil
temps can go crazy. For short spurts such as hill climbs you can go
higher. One thing you do not want to do is lug the engine. If increased
throttle does not result in increased speed, then you are lugging. So if
you are climbing a hill and barley maintaining or loosing speed, then
unless you are at the torque peak near 3,800 it is time to down shift.

You want be sure to use the correct oil viscosity and avoid the temptation
to overfill. The top mark on the dip stick is not the full mark. It is the
maximum do not ever exceed no matter what mark. Bottom mark to mid way is
fine. 4.5 quarts for oil and filter change is ideal.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Matthew Snook
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 12:38 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 1-800-Howsmydriving?

OK, I have a question for all the techsperts out there.  I'm a new Westy
driver, and I have a question about how to drive so as to minimize engine
wear.  My speedo is lame, so I can't trust it - reads 80 when I'm purdy
sure
it's only doing 55mph.  So I drive with the tachometer instead.

I've been keeping it at 3200 rpm, which I believe comes out to about
highway
speed anyhow.  When I encounter a hill which drops the tach to 2500, then
I
shift down to 3rd, which pops it up to 3500, and I then drop it back to
the
same 3200 I was maintaining in 4th.  When I top the hill, I accelerate up
to
3500 and shift, bringing it back down to 2500 again, and work it back up
to
the target of 3200.

Is this a good range for the 1.9 I've got in here?  The redline is way up
by
5000, but it sounds to me like 4000 is as high as I want it to go!  Any
suggestions?  Is it better to keep the rpms higher than that, or lower,
'er
whut?

Thanks,
Matt