Change Up Indicator

[Gareth]

I have experienced both in modern automatics and cars with change up indicators that the manufacturers think the most economical rev regime is between 1,200 and 1,600.

I'm not sure it's directly for reasons of economy but directly to get as low a CO2 figure as possible in the standard tests. It's as if car design, in a number of areas, is being taken down a path to meet targets rather than to make a nice car to drive.

[ROG]

I think if i abided by it i would be up and down the gearbox like a fiddlers elbow.

And im sure that, over the longer duration would use more fuel.

The light only probably gives the light to change based the economy at the current moment, it cant plan for the future

Same thing with LGVs and SAFED
SAFED and AD do not really go together but saying that neither are exclusive of each other

AD has been designed for safety
SAFED has been designed for ecomony
As long as safety is always put first then economy can be considered

What often happens is that SAFED instructors put economy first every time - I know as I have been in a truck cab with a couple of them

[jont]

I'm not sure it's directly for reasons of economy but directly to get as low a CO2 figure as possible in the standard tests. It's as if car design, in a number of areas, is being taken down a path to meet targets rather than to make a nice car to drive.

Nothing new there. It's been taken down the marketing path (looks/"sportiness" at the expense of ride/handling) for years, so why should it be a surprise that if market demand is now for low car tax manufacturers are following that demand?

[TripleS]

My car has a quite useful Change Up Indicator, but it doesn't involve any flashing lights. When it shows the engine speed has risen to 2000/2500 rpm, I sometimes change up - if it suits me.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[martine]

I drove a coutesy car yesterday that had this...it was a 1.6 diesel Fiesta 'Econetic'. The 'change up' arrow would appear at anything above 1700 rpm...arrrgghh. It didn't feel happy...and neither was I - so I after having a play, I quietly ignored it.

[TripleS]

I drove a courtesy car yesterday that had this...it was a 1.6 diesel Fiesta 'Econetic'. The 'change up' arrow would appear at anything above 1700 rpm...arrrgghh. It didn't feel happy...and neither was I - so I after having a play, I quietly ignored it.

That's the spirit, Martin. When you've been driving a year or two you don't need all this newfangled crap telling you how to do it.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[martine]

I drove a courtesy car yesterday that had this...it was a 1.6 diesel Fiesta 'Econetic'. The 'change up' arrow would appear at anything above 1700 rpm...arrrgghh. It didn't feel happy...and neither was I - so I after having a play, I quietly ignored it.

That's the spirit, Martin. When you've been driving a year or two you don't need all this newfangled crap telling you how to do it.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[MGF]

I drove a courtesy car yesterday that had this...it was a 1.6 diesel Fiesta 'Econetic'. The 'change up' arrow would appear at anything above 1700 rpm...arrrgghh. It didn't feel happy...and neither was I - so I after having a play, I quietly ignored it.

That's the spirit, Martin. When you've been driving a year or two you don't need all this newfangled crap telling you how to do it.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

A bit like AD...

[TripleS]

I drove a courtesy car yesterday that had this...it was a 1.6 diesel Fiesta 'Econetic'. The 'change up' arrow would appear at anything above 1700 rpm...arrrgghh. It didn't feel happy...and neither was I - so I after having a play, I quietly ignored it.

That's the spirit, Martin. When you've been driving a year or two you don't need all this newfangled crap telling you how to do it.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

A bit like AD...

I think I'm being got at slightly......in the nicest possible way though.

I do sometimes have a bit of a problem with being told what to do by human beings, but I'm damned if I'm putting up with it from machines and gadgets. You can at least discuss things and try to reach an understanding with some people - even AD enthusiasts.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[fungus]

I do sometimes have a bit of a problem with being told what to do by human beings, but I'm damned if I'm putting up with it from machines and gadgets. You can at least discuss things and try to reach an understanding with some people - even AD enthusiasts.

Best wishes all,
Dave

Here, Here,

Don't we already have change up indicators that also serve as change down indicators? I believe they're called ears.

[waremark]

I have experienced both in modern automatics and cars with change up indicators that the manufacturers think the most economical rev regime is between 1,200 and 1,600.

I'm not sure it's directly for reasons of economy but directly to get as low a CO2 figure as possible in the standard tests. It's as if car design, in a number of areas, is being taken down a path to meet targets rather than to make a nice car to drive.

I am sure the autos are calibrated for the best possible performance in the standard tests; fuel economy and the CO2 output seem to go together. I suspect that this calibration may also give the best results in real world driving.

[YorkshireJumbo]

I have experienced both in modern automatics and cars with change up indicators that the manufacturers think the most economical rev regime is between 1,200 and 1,600.

I'm not sure it's directly for reasons of economy but directly to get as low a CO2 figure as possible in the standard tests. It's as if car design, in a number of areas, is being taken down a path to meet targets rather than to make a nice car to drive.

I am sure the autos are calibrated for the best possible performance in the standard tests; fuel economy and the CO2 output seem to go together. I suspect that this calibration may also give the best results in real world driving.

I think they're more likely to be calibrated to excel in the very artificial environment of the tests at the expense of performance in the real world. It's much easier to design the car for the tests, as they are designed to be easy to reproduce - the real world is unpredictable, by its nature.

How many people look at road tests to see the "real" economy of cars, rather than just look at the official figures? Manufacturers care much more about the test results than "real world" figures...

[fungus]

How many people look at road tests to see the "real" economy of cars, rather than just look at the official figures? Manufacturers care much more about the test results than "real world" figures...

When I bought my Fiesta last year, the salesman said to knock about 10 mpg off the test results and I wouldn't be far wrong. I wouldn't know, as I don't bother monitoring my feul consumption.

[foxtrot_mike]

Here, Here,

Don't we already have change up indicators that also serve as change down indicators? I believe they're called ears.

Eyes as well (I can see a rather large hill)

[ScoobyChris]

I prefer using "feel" to determine when a good time is to change gear. Could explain why I'm always in the wrong gear

Chris