Does Shifting at Low RPM Save Fuel?
2 Answers
Shifting at low RPM can save fuel. Below are specific tips for fuel-efficient driving: Control the throttle when going uphill and avoid accelerating: When a vehicle is climbing a slope, the engine load increases. If you press the accelerator to speed up, the instantaneous fuel consumption will rise. Coast in gear on flat roads: When coasting in gear on flat roads with good conditions, the engine reduces fuel injection due to the engine braking effect, leading to a decrease in instantaneous fuel consumption and reaching a stable value. Accelerate gently when starting: For manual transmission vehicles, maintaining a smooth start can effectively reduce instantaneous fuel consumption.
I've been driving for over a decade and particularly enjoy researching fuel-saving techniques. Shifting at low RPM can indeed save fuel under specific conditions, such as upshifting around 2000 RPM when the engine load is light, resulting in a slight reduction in fuel consumption. However, this isn't absolute. If you shift too early at 1500 RPM, the engine will shake violently, requiring you to press the accelerator deeper, which can actually increase fuel consumption instead of reducing it. This is especially true on uphill sections—operating the car this way is like an old ox pulling a cart, wasting fuel and damaging the vehicle. The best approach is to listen to the engine sound; shifting when it runs smoothly and steadily is the most economical. I prefer watching the tachometer—shifting at 2000 RPM in the city and around 2300 RPM on the highway, keeping the combined fuel consumption at about 7L.
