When shifting and accelerating, i try to keep it below 4K. At about 4K i
seem to feel my rig's power lower off and i just feel bad when i push beyond
that!  When cruising freeway speed, again below 4k, more like 3.3K.
later
matthew
84 rig
67 bug

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phillip Bouton [SMTP:pbouton@NACCHO.ORG]
> Sent: Friday, November 20, 1998 6:46 AM
> To:   vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject:      Re: simple engine RPM question--need shifting advice
>
> I also have been perplexed by the same issue.  The manual says to stay in
> the green.  On my 87 Westy that is between 2 and 4k rpm.  Europeans would
> rather sacrifice an engine to save gas in the long run because gas is so
> expensive.  In my van it seems that in order for the next higher gear to
> start around 2k, you definitely need to be shifting around 3500 or higher.
> Otherwise the next higher gear will be between 1.5 and 2k.  However, I
> can't say that I do this consistently because it is so hard to let myself
> rev the engine that high in the lower gears.  Does anyone have any
> reassurances or other comments?
>
> ><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>:-)
> Phillip Bouton
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Jarod Bishop [ <mailto:jbishop01@FOXINTERNET.NET>]
> Sent:   Thursday, November 19, 1998 7:38 PM
> To:     vanagon@VANAGON.COM
> Subject:        simple engine RPM question
>
> I recently bought an '87 Syncro.  Having never owned a VW, I'm not used to
>
> running the engine at a higher RPM rate like people have told me.
>
> The speed seems to max out at around 3500 but I give some more gas and get
>
> it past 4k before shifting, but I've heard you should go atleast 4.5k or
> 5k.  I was hoping to get input on what others typically run their vans at
> before shifting up.
>
> Thanks
>