Never driven a 1.6 around town but id say that switching gear at 5mph is a bad idea. Id leave it until about 10 to shift up from 1st, regardless of driving... unless your in slow traffic and coasting in 2nd.

Try and get into 5th gear around 35mph, I found the 1.6 to be ok.

You WILL notice the F seems more powerful, even though the ZR (if it was a 1.8) had more power. This is because of the gearing in that engine that allows the 1.6 to rev quite quickly.

 

You've got it all wrong it goes....

1st gear Thrash
2nd gear. Thrash
3rd gear. Thrash
4th gear. Thrash
5th gear. VMax.

Simples.

 

Sounds right too me

 

I'd ignore what your instructor said...they aren't the best drivers around imho! Ask your instructor how many accidents he's had.

(My daughter was told you only changed down a gear to go faster...what about going down a long hill? I asked, only ever use the brakes, he said.) Clearly rubbish, that's not car control!

Yes, I know, before you all berate me, it's considered old fashioned, but it's worked for me for decades and without any accidents so I must be doing something right.

Just settle into gear changing at what sounds right and feels comfortable.

 

Bang on. I went on a driving course or two after passing my test, I was taught how to drive properly at that point it would seem. Got into some very good habbits and had a crack at skid control and heal and toe too.


Id NEVER drive in any gear below 1500rpm, unless just after a gear change at really low speed, its bad for the engine long term.

 

Hm... I drive mostly in London, so it's almost never above 30 mph, and that' considering that every now and again I have to slow down in traffic, to brake because there are hazards on the road (bollards, dogs, cyclists, etc ) - in my old car I would be driving mostly in 3rd, go into 4th at 30-35 mph for any stretch of the road longer than, say, 1/3 of the mile with no obstructions (in 30 mph zone).
So what gear you would use between 20 and 30 mph in MGF - 2nd or 3d?
and is this right about 4000 rpm at all times? Sound soooo high to me.

 

Town and city driving, I would adopt the following.

0-10 MPH 1st
10-20 MPH 2nd
20-35 MPH 3rd
35-40 MPH 4th
40+ 5th

Bear in mind that sensible advice is to not exceed 3000 RPM until the oil temp gets to 60 deg.

Once on the open road, you'll find the engine likes to be thrashed, so accelerate hard through all the gears and if I recall correctly the torque curve on the 1.6 K maxes out at about 4500 RPM so it'll keep pulling hard until there.

Oh and I agree about driving instructors. They only teach you how to pass a test. Experience and further training (like skid pans) are when you learn to drive.

 

Town and city driving, I would adopt the following.

0-10 MPH 1st
10-20 MPH 2nd
20-35 MPH 3rd
35-40 MPH 4th
40+ 5th

Bear in mind that sensible advice is to not exceed 3000 RPM until the oil temp gets to 60 deg.

Once on the open road, you'll find the engine likes to be thrashed, so accelerate hard through all the gears and if I recall correctly the torque curve on the 1.6 K maxes out at about 4500 RPM so it'll keep pulling hard until there.
.

Thanks - that's what I wanted to hear! So 4000 rpm at all times is not right after all - I was sure it isn't - it sounds far too much. When I feel that the car is driving in a correct gear, the rpm is always in the region of 2-2.5K.

 

4k is way too high for town and city driving in any car. All it does is burn fuel and annoy pedestrians and other road users.

On a cold engine it is never wise to rev it too highly. Whilst the oil pressure will be sufficient, it won't be as thin as it would be on a warmed up engine.

Your best bet is to drive gently in the towns and cities.

 

Thanks - I'll keep it in mind! The previous owner has lived in the country all his life, and probably doesn't know the meaning of "traffic jam" or 20 mph Zone So he probably goes from 0 to 60 and stays there until the end of the journey - and yes, 4000 rpm probably sounds right for this... though I can't imagine how can one drive steadily at 70 mph in 5th gear on 4000 rpm - isn't the normal "steady" range ~2000-2500 rpm? That's what I've always thought because above 2nd gear the car sounds quiet in that range.

 

Kate, may I be flippant? The way to drive an F is to get through the traffic as best you can, leave London behind and wring the car's neck.

I find the F/TF to be stronger than expected in 2nd and 3rd gears while 4th can be a delight. Maybe because I had so many years on motorbikes, I tend to rev my MG higher than a lot of people.

Don't worry too much about 'how', just 'do' and you will soon learn what works for you.

 

Kate, may I be flippant? The way to drive an F is to get through the traffic as best you can, leave London behind and wring the car's neck.

Ha - I wish I could do that. The reality is an early morning school run down Kilburn High Road with 1000 Mums in their enormous 4x4s all trying to squeeze into a parking place in front me, or doing a 5 point turn in the middle of a busy road and not quite making it as these monsters are far too large for London roads.

Don't worry too much about 'how', just 'do' and you will soon learn what works for you.

Well, it should work for the car rather than me - because I want it to be happy and healthy!

 

personal preference is:

1st: redline
2nd: redline
3rd: redline
4th: redline
5th: chicken out :naughty:

 

Thats the one

 

Personally I don't think there is a list of what gear is best at what speed.

It is a personal thing and something that you will naturally find yourself. Just try for a while and see what sits comfortably with you.

 

It isn't the speed that dictates when to change gear, it's the revs.
Start out changing in the 2500-3000 range. After a while you won't have to
look at the rev counter you will do it by sound/feel and you will find that, as you "learn" your car you will find the best rev point to shift for best performance.

 

Spot on - should suit the car very well in traffic. Once past the delimit sign (ah, those were the days) on a clear road the red line's the limit for occasional use, but staying legal of course. Then it'll sound more like an MG!

 

In the words of the great copper knob

DRVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!!

 

Surely you mean top down. :wooman:

 

I would certainly hope so, even in the rain!! Kids love things like that :lol:

But don't worry about the speed/rev thing, just do what ever is comfortable to you, the 4k thing doesn't work in the inner city, out on the open road now that's a different matter!

F will always feel quicker anyway, engine is in the right place and driving the correct set of wheels for a start! And its a whole load lighter than a ZR

 

Change gear when it sounds and feels right and for the appropriate conditions. Don't drive it in a different manor to than any other car you might drive.

I can't think when I last looked at the rev counter.

 

Uh-no.....LOAD changes RPM. Speed is irrelevant. The speedometer is only there to satisfy speed limit requirements it has no bearing on the operation of the vehicle.

 

Cars have gears. They have gears as LOAD is determined by required speed. Same reson sticking a car in X gear down a hill will result in higher RPMS and different load production than if gear y was used.

Eitherway, not on topic.

Welcome to the wonderful world of mgr.org Kate. Watch out for a jordimussol hes a right player xD

 

i was always under the impression the limiter told you when to change?

 

Out on my favourite "test track" I would agree with you

 

Maybe walking might be safer.

 

Just dont let the engine labour.

 

Kate, 2 mistakes so far!

1) telling people what you paid will ALWAYS get negative comments in return. org members only ever buy at rock bottom but sell at peak - in their minds.

2) telling people what colour you bought will ALWAYS start a colour war.


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't ever mention hardtops!¬!!!!

 

Ha-ha-ha!!! :hysteria:
Thank for the advice - I won't!
PS I've learned about the hardtop hard way and will never mention mine

 

Flame red :lol:

 

How I drive depends on (1) whether the engine's up to temperature yet, (2) how I'm feeling - thoughtful or tiggerish and (3) the disposition of the passenger if any.

Assuming (1) is out of the way I tippytoe quietly through the gears, I might hang on to the gears for maximum noise, I might let the music build gradually, I might rip the lid off with my teeth ROOOAAAAAAARRRRR!!!!!.

On the subject of engine braking, I'd no sooner passed my driving test at the age of 18yrs than I put myself through the Advanced thing which used the Police "Roadcraft" style of driving. I can't swear that it's still current thinkng but back then your Police driver was trained to use brakes for braking and the engine and box for accelerating. Personally I've always been an engine braker.

There's a lot to be said for always driving according to the conditions but that demands that you recognise what's going on outwith the warm confines of the car and can adapt your driving style to suit.

 

Hi Kate and :welcome:..... and to the nuthouse that is the F/TF section, you seem to have fitted in really well :lol:....nice car, well done :broon:

Keep an eye out for upcoming meets.....they are cracking fun!!!

ps....you need to update your car to F from ZR120!!!!

 

Hi Kate and :welcome:..... and to the nuthouse

Thanks - I already feel like I found my spiritual home! My husband said that he had had suspicions about my sanity when I forced him to buy a ZR120 8 years ago, but when on top of this I bought an MGF two weeks ago on E-Bay, they have become a certainty

Keep an eye out for upcoming meets.....they are cracking fun!!!

Will do! What do people do at these meets - because they can't drink?

....you need to update your car to F from ZR120!!!!

I've got both, except from tomorrow it's going to be ZR160 instead of 120!
My 120 has currently attracted an enormous bid of £200

 

She's already done that Lee - now she needs to change her profile!