Low rpm while cruising bad?

[tHe_sTiG]

Hi there mates,

I've got a VZ Executive 175 kw 4 speed auto, I do a mix of urban and highway driving on the way to and from school.
Highway speed limit is 80 km/h, urban is 60km/h . At both speeds, the rpm sits at about 1400 rpm (at 4th gear for 80km/h, 3rd gear for 60km/h). Would that be considered... well... not good? I haven't got much knowledge on this, but I think 1400 rpm would be considered labouring the engine... and therefore bad for fuel economy, engine and transmission? Should I shift down to 3rd and 2nd instead (2000 - 2500 rpm respectively)?

I don't know if anyone's considered this, but I've been told that a car runs at it's best when engine speed is near to maximum torque (2600 - 2800 rpm I think in my case).

Thanks in advance.

[impulsive]

Less revs less fuel. The engine iS not working. If the car was under enough load it would shift back.

[Verynice]

If you maintain a certain speed at that rpm, it should be ok. As long as you don't labour it.

[impulsive]

Auto gearbox, he won't labour anything...

[tHe_sTiG]

Alright, I'll drive it as I normally do I also noticed that if I bring it up to 80 myself. It'll shift into 4th at that speed, but if I allow the cruise control to automatically bring it up, it'll stay in 3rd. Any ideas there?

[impulsive]

Yeah the car likes to 'relax' so to speak.. It's almost like a cruising Gear to reduce engine noise and high revving, then when you want to go faster it shifts down for acceleration. in cruise control the car doesnt shift at all does it?? But if it does I'm guessing because if yo have cruise set @ 70 and it goes into 4 th then I dare say it would have to change up/down to maintain speed, thus changing constantly. 3rd gear probably is a low enough gear for good acceleration but 4th is too high

[tHe_sTiG]

Thanks for the info I'm mainly interested in fuel economy and developing any habits to keep the car in best condition, while enjoying driving it. I'm planning to keep it for a long time. I've heard a lot of people talking about the 2 hole mod. Will it give me extra power (if any) without:
1. Doing any long-term damage to the car
2. Increasing fuel consumption
3. Cause any problems when I take it to Holden for regular servicing

Just want to make sure it's a trouble-free mod

[Little Red VZ Go-Kart]

It is imaginary to think the engine is labouring; the slightest inkling of any labour and the transmission will kick down. Ditto when it is at cruising speed — the gears will change as the engine/tranny interface sees fit. If you don't like what the engine is doing, apply short, firm pressure to the pedal and that is the cue for the tranny to move "now, not later".

A 2-hole mod may be (theoretically) "good for performance" but will not get you single-digit, long-term fuel economy of around 7.6-8L/100km (auto wagon, highway/freeway driving; some VZ utes commonly get 6.5L/100km, no mods). For that you need to refine driving habits namely avoiding city/urban low-speed driving when frequent up/downshifts occur. A tank of premium ULP now and then is beneficial but at foundation level it is driving habits that make in impact.

[Hangman]

Auto gearbox, he won't labour anything...

+1.

It's an auto, it knows what to do.

[richardpalinkas]

2 hole mod adds a bit of balls to the engine note, especially if you have a stock exhaust, really makes it deeper. i noticed in the sv6 when i did the 2 hole mod that fuel consumption dropped from 8 ish to 6.5 highway from gold coast to brisbane, but because i liked the extra induction noise, ended up using more fuel lol

[pjdm1980]

If you want better fuel economy then put a full exhaust, extractors, cold air intake and get it tune but remember that you'll also need to take into account the cost if the mods as well.
All modern cars are designed to change gears as early as possible to keep the RPM down to increase fuel economy so don't be concerned about laboring as the engine in doing more calculations a minute than you will probably do in a year.

[tHe_sTiG]

Thanks for helping me out all Sure mates modding would be sweet but I'm still 18 and me dad wont let me do anything more than fill it up and drive it. Doesn't like money being spent on "unnecessary things" Oh well... dads will be dads.

He does have a point to be honest. Nowhere to get it modded properly here in Saudi Arabia, and all the mods add up, damn expensive + they aren't avaiable to start off with. Though I'd love to replace the Chev badges with Holden ones (grille, wheels, rear etc), can't get them here either

Are there any set of badges I can get at a reasonable price from Australia? List price and shipment costs etc.

[impulsive]

Though I'd love to replace the Chev badges with Holden ones (grille, wheels, rear etc)

Now there ya go... Alloytecs do own chev badges...but instead of putting chev badges on it, he wants to take it off, Thats a first.

[richardpalinkas]

Now there ya go... Alloytecs do own chev badges...but instead of putting chev badges on it, he wants to take it off, Thats a first.

there u go dave, now u can replace the the holden ones with chev ones and not feel like a tool lol, as they are sold standard as chev in saudi arabia

[richardpalinkas]

Thanks for helping me out all Sure mates modding would be sweet but I'm still 18 and me dad wont let me do anything more than fill it up and drive it. Doesn't like money being spent on "unnecessary things" Oh well... dads will be dads.

He does have a point to be honest. Nowhere to get it modded properly here in Saudi Arabia, and all the mods add up, damn expensive + they aren't avaiable to start off with. Though I'd love to replace the Chev badges with Holden ones (grille, wheels, rear etc), can't get them here either

Are there any set of badges I can get at a reasonable price from Australia? List price and shipment costs etc.

u can get them from ebay. sent u a message as well

[impulsive]

Hitler hates chev badges. But they do add 50 hp.

All this talk of the 2 hole mod making massive differences is a bit laugh worthy, perhaps too the induction sound but unless matched with a free flowing exhaust and less restrictive intake pipe, manifold And head then it ain't gonna change a great deal.

[tHe_sTiG]

Why would you want Chev badges for a car that is actually a Holden??

[richardpalinkas]

Why would you want Chev badges for a car that is actually a Holden??

i guess the same reason as to why u would want holden badges on a car thats sold as a chev

[VZ_commo91]

My scan gauge tells me at 60 when its in 4th on a flat road that I get ( with little throttle ) about 5 - 7 L per 100KM. If I put it in 3rd or 2nd, it jumps up a fair whack (varies to much to tell you what L per 100KM )... Computer/gearbox knows what its doing.