Driving habits

[daltonvol]

Hello...I've just recently bought my Rogue (2013 model year) and have been intrigued by much of the commentary on driving habits in several threads. To that point, I had some specific questions about how some of you would suggest I handle some of the terrain in my area.

I live in the northwest part of Georgia and we have some significant inclines/declines (25-ish degree incline/decline for 0.5-1.0 mile) that I navigate fairly often. My previous vehicle was a Murano, and I noticed in the Murano and in the Rogue that when I start a descent and, naturally, let off the accelerator pedal, the RPMs shoot up to the 3000 range. I've also noticed that if I can try to keep the pedal barely depressed, it will keep the RPMs around 1500-2000 range. Is this what is meant by "blipping the throttle" or "rev-matching" that I've read in a few of the threads?

For those of you with a firm grip on the effects of this sort of driving environment, how would you all suggest that I handle these areas to (1) keep my clutch pack/transmission as safe as possible and (2) maximize fuel economy?

[takeshi]

My previous vehicle was a Murano, and I noticed in the Murano and in the Rogue that when I start a descent and, naturally, let off the accelerator pedal, the RPMs shoot up to the 3000 range.

IIRC that's normal due to the engine braking.

I've also noticed that if I can try to keep the pedal barely depressed, it will keep the RPMs around 1500-2000 range. Is this what is meant by "blipping the throttle" or "rev-matching" that I've read in a few of the threads?

Not sure what threads you're referring to but throttle blipping is quickly pressing or tapping the throttle pedal to bump the revs. As for rev-matching I don't see the relevance to the Rogue. It's something you do with a manual transmission when shifting. You blip the throttle to rev match on downshifts.

[daltonvol]

My previous vehicle was a Murano, and I noticed in the Murano and in the Rogue that when I start a descent and, naturally, let off the accelerator pedal, the RPMs shoot up to the 3000 range.

IIRC that's normal due to the engine braking.

I've also noticed that if I can try to keep the pedal barely depressed, it will keep the RPMs around 1500-2000 range. Is this what is meant by "blipping the throttle" or "rev-matching" that I've read in a few of the threads?

Not sure what threads you're referring to but throttle blipping is quickly pressing or tapping the throttle pedal to bump the revs. As for rev-matching I don't see the relevance to the Rogue. It's something you do with a manual transmission when shifting. You blip the throttle to rev match on downshifts.

I read both of those terms in the MPG (advice/complaints/tips/fuelly stats) thread. Obviously, I'm about as familiar with all this stuff as I am with being an astronaut, so I was just curious if either of those would be the technical name for what I was doing (barely depressing the accelerator while going downhill)?

I'm also curious about the "Sport" driving mode button (near the driver's seat heater button) and the overdrive button (on the gear selector knob)...what do you all advise for those?

[ImStricken06]

My previous vehicle was a Murano, and I noticed in the Murano and in the Rogue that when I start a descent and, naturally, let off the accelerator pedal, the RPMs shoot up to the 3000 range.

its pre-programmed engine braking. what happens is your transmission downshifts from (example) 3rd gear ratio into 2, or maybe even 1st gear ratio. that causes the engine RPM to rise, and the strain causes your car to slow down rapidly. its normal. you can do it in a manual car, or even your car by simply moving the gear selector to a lower position if you need to slow down. it helps when your brakes fail in an emergency

I've also noticed that if I can try to keep the pedal barely depressed, it will keep the RPMs around 1500-2000 range.

yes, now you are tricking the system into accelerating. so it keeps the original gear ratio. there really isnt anything wrong with allowing your car to slow down on its own. is it placing a slight strain on your transmission? yes. but its better than over-heating your brakes(boiling your fluid) and have ZERO brake pressure/power.

Is this what is meant by "blipping the throttle" or "rev-matching" that I've read in a few of the threads?

no. blipping the throttle is when you are looking for a smooth gear shift in a manual car/bike. you pull in the clutch, rev the throttle & switch your gear at the same time, and releasing the clutch while the RPM is still high from you blipping it. that allows the engine and transmission to mate at a RPM thats comfortable for both the transmission and engine. (since pulling in the clutch drops the RPM to engine idle speeds.)

imagine driving 65mph, and pulling in the clutch - and then release it. its just like moving your shifter to Neutral. its gonna cause a jerking feeling as the engine & transmission re-engage together and one catches up with the other. rev-matching or blipping is a slight tap on the throttle to raise the rpm so the transmissions seamless.

here is a better example for this less mechanically inclined: imagine running on a treadmill. (you are the engine, while the treadmill is the rolling tires/moving ground) now imagine you stepping off the treadmill while the treadmill is still rolling at the same speed. (thats essentially Neutral or the clutch disengaged) now imagine jumping back on the treadmill. its gonna suck right? lol
now if someone picked you up, and told you start running in the air, and they would gently re-apply you on the treadmill as you were already running in the air. thats rev-matching LOL

For those of you with a firm grip on the effects of this sort of driving environment, how would you all suggest that I handle these areas to (1) keep my clutch pack/transmission as safe as possible and (2) maximize fuel economy?

just let the car do what its designed to do. dont give it any throttle when you are supposed to slow down. if its down shifting to slow you down, let it. its better than over-heating your brakes and finding out when its too late. thats why you see signs like this:


using a lower gear, keeps your speeds lower, and it helps the car to slow down. it most importantly helps you from over heating your brakes. let the engine do the work. its now wasting much gas anyway(less than if you applied the throttle) and it helps you keep the car in control.

NOW IF THE WEATHER IS BAD: SNOW, HEAVY RAIN, PUDDLES - switching to a too low of a gear can cause the engine rpm to raise, the transmission is going to pass that along to your wheels - and your tires are going to loose grip. so take things even slower when downshifting in bad weather. frankly, id rather shift to neutral and coast - while gently applying the brakes, and letting the bad weather (snow/rain) cool the brakes down [this situation is hairy to give advice on, as i dont know your speed, distance of travel, etc]

[Rogue One]

I read both of those terms in the MPG (advice/complaints/tips/fuelly stats) thread. Obviously, I'm about as familiar with all this stuff as I am with being an astronaut...

Wait...WHAT!?!

[ImStricken06]

I read both of those terms in the MPG (advice/complaints/tips/fuelly stats) thread. Obviously, I'm about as familiar with all this stuff as I am with being an astronaut...

Wait...WHAT!?!

we done found ourselves our very own astronaut! lol

[daltonvol]

You mid-Atlantic guys...can't understand a good simile! 'Strick, I appreciate all the input...that all makes sense. Do you guys know much about the Sport mode and overdrive button (i.e. which to use to maximize fuel economy/engine life)? I drive at least 80% non-highway. I'm not in a lot of bumper to bumper traffic but we have LOTS of traffic lights.

[ImStricken06]

Do you guys know much about the Sport mode?

what SPORT does is nothing more than switch a MAP(computer software program). it allows the transmission to hold each specified gear ratio longer, while allowing the engine to reach a higher RPM, before changing to the next gear ratio. it will waste more fuel while making the engine spin faster, longer. but it will make gear changes easier, allow you to reach a higher speed(mph).

the higher you allow the RPM to reach in your current gear, the higher the rpm will be at the beginning of the next gear; thus decreasing acceleration time.

and overdrive button

is good when towing, or driving up hilly roads, or when with a lot of weight in the car. it blocks the car from reaching its highest gear ratio(typically 5th or 6th gear). its normally achieved when driving higher than 50mph. it stops the car from "gear hunting". it sticks it in 4th, and you go. this way when you reach a small hill, or upgrade it wont have to drop from 6th to 4th & shoot the RPM high, just to make that small grade - that ordinarily you wouldn't even feel (but because of the trailer/weight your car is now struggling). and when the incline is passed, the car would have to go back to 5th or 6th. that constant changing under load(weight) will cause your transmission to over-heat and wear faster.

(i.e. which to use to maximize fuel economy/engine life)

neither; unless your car is in possession of a lot of weight. if you have an obscene amount of weight (1,000lbs or more) in your car (aside from just you) then id say you can first use, sport, then "OD off" if you start seeing the car "gear hunting" just to keep driving.

using sport or OD OFF when its just you and 3 other people in the car wont help you in anyway. it will instead just waste fuel.

you can use sport if you want pass a truck - knowing you have an exit in half a mile. it will help you blast past him.

[daltonvol]

Great stuff. Again, I really appreciate you taking the time to address all that.

[ImStricken06]

anytime

[followingnfront]

I for one, LOVE the engine braking that my Rogue exhibits! In NYC traffic, if I time my throttle inputs right, I can creep along without touching the brake very much. My Accord did that a little bit, but its smoother in the Rogue because of the CVT. It also seems a little more pronounced in the Rogue as well.

[rdub2k4]

The engine brake takes some getting used to. I think that's the CVT's nature though, as my Lancer does the same. I do love driving the Rogue though. Taking another road trip in it in a few weeks

[Rogue One]

You mid-Atlantic guys...can't understand a good simile! 'Strick, I appreciate all the input...that all makes sense. Do you guys know much about the Sport mode and overdrive button (i.e. which to use to maximize fuel economy/engine life)? I drive at least 80% non-highway. I'm not in a lot of bumper to bumper traffic but we have LOTS of traffic lights.

Totally useless video from Nissan about the Spot Mode switch.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qds7hFhqTc8[/youtube]

[ImStricken06]

i saw the confusion on their facebook yesterday regarding the "how often do you use the sport function" post lololol

[rdub2k4]

I trolled their post with a ricer flyby remark lol

[ImStricken06]

I trolled their post with a ricer flyby remark lol

lmfao let me see

[ImStricken06]

I trolled their post with a ricer flyby remark lol

i liked it lol

[rdub2k4]

I trolled their post with a ricer flyby remark lol

i liked it lol

[Rogue One]

Ricer flyby (Ri-ser fli bi) An action undertaken by a person fitting any or all of the genuinely accepted criteria of a "ricer" in which he or she accelerates a slow and underpowered motor vehicle, which is usually adorned with large spoilers, bright paint colors/graphics and neon lights, past another vehicle which is known or thought to be faster or more powerful with the intention of overtaking said vehicle at as high a speed differentiation as possible.

The act is typically used in lieu of a genuine speeding contest in which the "ricer" does not perceive any chance of succeeding and instead uses the action as a fabricated victory. The second vehicle is typically piloted by a driver who is unaware of any automotive competition beforehand, is likely driving in high-gear at low RPM and may or may not be adjusting the vehicle's stereo and/or scratching their genitals at the time.

The actual act of acceleration is usually very brief and surprisingly unimpressive and is usually accompanied by a very loud and irritating buzzing noise from the exhaust and/or the activation of the "ricer's" 4-way hazard indicators, which are used to communicate the b****-slapping to the second vehicle.

Did he just do a ricer flyby??

In most cases, the "ricer" will later engage in spontaneous and excessive masturbatlon while vividly recalling his actions at which time the second driver will typically be having sexual intercourse with the "ricer's" girlfriend, wife, sister, daughter, mother or any combination of the above.

[rdub2k4]