DRIVe system gear change indicator?

[Linkous]

Hi All,

Newbie question, but I'm sure I read somewhere that the DRIVe system will display a notification on the dash when it thinks you should change gear. Is this the case on an 2011 XC60 SE Lux Premium?

Thanks,

Ben

[Chief inspector]

On my MY16 with the TFT, there is an up/down indicator on the right, the mirror opposite of the fuel gauge.

[CDJ]

But just change at about 1600 rpm and that should be fine...

[Harvey1512]

I have the up down indicator on the right of my SE screen. I never look at it, a waste of the display. I did for the first week and then realised it told me nothing new. I had a VW hire car last week and that kept throwing messages at me to change gear in an eco fashion. The reality is when I actually listened it left the car in the wrong gear, it juddered and I had to change down again. If the manual had not been in Italian I would have read it and switched the stupid thing off. Very distracting.

Changing gear has not change through time. Listen to the engine. That tells you all you need to know.

[wimorrison]

Could it be that what has been 'learned' by people through time is incorrect and that perhaps their driving technique could be improved to gain a more efficient drive style?

Just a thought ...

[Harvey1512]

WM - Fair point. If you redline before your change gear then the change indicator will help time the changes earlier until it becomes the norm. What is important is that the mfr sets the change to a reasonable level so that the engine has enough momentum to justify the change. I suspect some are set up only if you drive in Norfolk. For most drivers it is more a distraction or an irrelevance on the display.

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by Harvey1512

WM - Fair point. If you redline before your change gear then the change indicator will help time the changes earlier until it becomes the norm. What is important is that the mfr sets the change to a reasonable level so that the engine has enough momentum to justify the change. I suspect some are set up only if you drive in Norfolk. For most drivers it is more a distraction or an irrelevance on the display.

I was actually thinking more of the bottom end with people changing down before required than people redlining, though I am many would benefit from a change in style at that end of the range

This change in style is particularly valid for people who have been driving petrol cars over many years when they move to a diesel they drive the diesel in exactly the same manner as they did their petrol engine car, where the should actually change and adapt to the driving technique required to gain the maximum efficiencies from the diesel engine.

Many people, if not most, actually have too high revs for the speed in a diesel because they are thinking petrol through learned habits. A diesel requires many fewer revs on the engine than the petrol engine - especially at slow speeds.

[craigv60]

I have the 'change gear' indicator on my V60 D4 SE manual, and I ignore it. As Harvey comments, if I change up when the indicator suggests, I feel it's far too early and mechanically unsympathetic.

I don't claim to have superior knowledge than Volvo's powertrain engineers but keeping the engine close to its peak torque range (around 1,500 - 2,500rpm) feels right and moves the car along briskly enough without being wasteful with the juice ...

[Parky12]

Having done a few miles in Europe this June I can see why they are set so low. Hills don't figure in the west so the indicator works just fine

I agree listen to that 5 pot burble and it tells you when to change. Keep the revs low and push on and it really makes some nice sounds

[GJB]

Think you all would all have been better buying a geartronic as it saves all this hassle!!!!!!!