I also have been perplexed by the same = issue. The manual says to stay in the green. On my 87 Westy = that is between 2 and 4k rpm. Europeans would rather sacrifice an = engine to save gas in the long run because gas is so expensive. = In my van it seems that in order for the next higher gear to start = around 2k, you definitely need to be shifting around 3500 or = higher. Otherwise the next higher gear will be between 1.5 and = 2k. However, I can't say that I do this consistently because it = is so hard to let myself rev the engine that high in the lower = gears. Does anyone have any reassurances or other = comments?
><><><><><><><&=
gt;<><><><><><><><><&=
gt;<><><><>J
Phillip =
Bouton
-----Original =
Message-----
From: Jarod Bishop [mailto:jbishop01@FOXINTERNET.N=
ET]
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 1998 7:38 PM
To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Subject: =
simple engine RPM question
I recently bought an '87 Syncro. =
Having never owned a VW, I'm not used to
running the engine at a higher RPM =
rate like people have told me.
The speed seems to max out at around =
3500 but I give some more gas and get
it past 4k before shifting, but I've =
heard you should go atleast 4.5k or
5k. I was hoping to get input =
on what others typically run their vans at
before shifting up.
Thanks