[Vwdiesel] Rabbit Shift Points

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/13/2007 12:43:33 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
jhsg at sasktel.net writes:

> The optimum shift point in a diesel, like I said, is pretty broad due to 
> the nature of efficiency of the diesel engine- pumping losses aside, it 
> uses less fuel per stroke at higher rpm, more at lower, when load is 
> constant, to achieve almost the same fuel used over time.
> 

  Quite true but yet I've basically found that with a diesel, 
the slower it turns, the better the mileage so long as it's 
not being excessively lugged.  On the other hand the VW 
diesel likes to be revved up or it'll give more problems that 
are kind of undefineable.  The shif light generally comes on 
too soon for good engine health but not bad for high mileage, 
soft, in-town driving, from the ones I've seen that worked.
For instance driving a 5 speed Rabbit in 4th all day only makes 
about 3mpg difference in my experience.  About enough to put 
your highway mileage back to higher than city mileage when using 
5th.  Biggest difference is in 5th you don't feel you should be 
awaiting clearance for take-off!  ;-D
  Scott found out that the biggest low rpm driving issue is 
likely carboning up of the intake valves.  He said his were 
so bad that it could hardly breathe.  A little Italian tune-up 
doesn't hurt these things. :-)  Winding them up isn't bad 
for them it seems since setting the maximum rpm is done 
with the transmission in neutral and the engine held at full 
throttle until you get it set!  They're governed below "grenade" 
rpm.  :-)
  I upgraded my Rabbit's "C" speedo to an "L" model one so 
I had a trip odometer.  It was a stupid 85mph speedo so on 
the freeways it was easily at 3/4 travel or more.  I found a 
100mph one out of a Scirroco and have yet to set the mileage
and put it in.  Yous was probably a swap in also.  As long as 
the little, 4-digit number at the bottom matches, you can 
swap them around regardless of top speed on the face.
  I'd guess the 140 speedos were an overzealous reaction of glee 
after the feds lifted the 85mph maximum speed reading law of 
whatever sort.  My '66 Mustang has one though.
     Loren


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