From:   Dave Ohlemacher = [mailto:Dave@ohlemacher.com]
Sent:   Friday, November 20, 1998 10:10 AM
To:     Phillip Bouton
Subject:       = Re: simple engine RPM = question-need shifting advice

German engines are made to hug the = redline, at 3500, you're a long way off. Besides, I = think (and have read) it's harder on an = engine to struggle through a higher gear at low rpms.  What = you don't want to do = is keep it at 5000 rpm for an extended = period of time, that causes undue stress, but to run = it up to 3500-4000 when shifting is fine.

Needles to the right!
Dave
86 Vanagon GL

Phillip Bouton wrote:

>
>
> 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?
>

> = ><><><><><><><>&= lt;><><><><><><><><>&= lt;><><><>J

> Phillip Bouton
> -----Original = Message-----
> = From:Jarod Bishop [mailto:jbishop01@FOXINTERNET.NET]<= /B>
> 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