Taking delivery next week, Vauxhall insignia SRi diesel, with a six speeed manual box, current motor has 5 which is great the technique of using it is straightforward enough,In 5th at low speed 25-30 mph the engine labours so downchange usually to 4th and she picks up slowly.

My question is how to get the best out of 6th ? i live a bit in the sticks, twisty lanes, not many long straights, obviously 6th gear will be used on a main drag when cruising
is it a viable gear economy and maintaining rev's wise, in a slower moving situation?

Er... what?

Don't you just drive like everyone else and match the gear to the revs and the amount you need to accelerate?

When I went from 5 gears to 6 it was exactly the same as when I went from 4 gears to 5. I used mechanical sympathy and general driving ability to judge what gear to use - in most 6 speed cars you'll find that it compares to a 5 speed manual something like 1.0, 1.8, 2.6, 3.4, 4.2, 5.0 anyway so just use 6th when you'd otherwise use 5th.

My Alfa has 6 gears....drive it like normal. I live in the highlands so a straight road is a bit of a luxury but I still manage to sit in 6th most of the way into work.

Having said that, its an extremely torque diesel engine and she will pull from 30mph in 6th, especially if Dynamic mode is engaged.

My Volvo C30 however had 5 gears and 5th is crap..i really ahve to use the gearbox.

I learnt to drive in a car with 6 gears and then when I passed went to 5 gears. This resulted in me sub conciously trying to go into 6th only to find I was trying to put it into reverse...try not to make that mistake otherwise your gear box won't last long

Err don't a lot of you have HGV licences?

Originally Posted by jarrod248

Err don't a lot of you have HGV licences?

not i your worship, got a 12 speed box on me pushbike though. gotta the msg use as normal..

Originally Posted by Mattb

Er... what?

Don't you just drive like everyone else and match the gear to the revs and the amount you need to accelerate?

When I went from 5 gears to 6 it was exactly the same as when I went from 4 gears to 5. I used mechanical sympathy and general driving ability to judge what gear to use - in most 6 speed cars you'll find that it compares to a 5 speed manual something like 1.0, 1.8, 2.6, 3.4, 4.2, 5.0 anyway so just use 6th when you'd otherwise use 5th.

What he said.

Except my missus still thinks 5th is top gear.

To be fair, we've only had the car two years, so maybe I should be more sympathetic !!
I always end up pointing the gear change thing out, which NEVER ends up in an argument.

If only.

Expect the box to fail Revmodes they are known to self destruct mate had his replaced at 25K mines went at 60K Since you bought a pile of shite I expect you'll be on first name terms with your local main stealer

got an insignia had for 2 years for 25 to 30 you should be in 4th

I had a 6 speed Hyundai Tucson CRDi, and the 'box was a pain tn the ringpiece, the ratios were all wrong. I put in a 5 speeder from an older Tucson, and it comined with the variable geometry turbo already on the car was most definitely FTW.

If the 6 gears is confusing you, don't buy a new BMW - some of them will have 8.