Best way to drive up a parking garage

[sinfony78]

In my 2010, i have to go up 8-10 floors daily for work...speed changes occur during the turns where i go maybe 5 mph or less at those times...should i go up in first gear the whole way? hit second on the straights and downshift on turns?

not sure the best way to do this, esp. with a new engine that's being broken in...i'm sure i need to do what's best for engine break-in than for mpg at this point, but dunno what that is

 

[boutmuet]

Would like to know too, have to park in a huge parking garage daily as well.

 

[validius]

just drive the car however feels best, without lugging it or needlessly revving like crazy.

 

[sinfony78]

yeah but what feels right to me is what feels right in a gasser...driving it like a gasser seems opposed to what is best for a TDi engine

 

[Lug_Nut]

In the economy thread? Is the distance inside the garage such a large percentage of the total commute that the fuel use in the garage is important?
Yes? WALK!
No? Then who cares?
Are you sure that idle rpm in 2nd is too fast a ground speed for the turns? Try leaving it in second the whole time to see if that eliminates the clutch shift clutch dance at each turn. Easier for you, and, if 900 rpm in 2nd isn't too fast, easier on the car, too.

 

[Bob_Fout]

Explain how you're driving it like a gasser...

 

[sinfony78]

in a gasser, i'd just switch from first to second...and i'd probably coast a lot too on the downhills...but now maybe i'm thinking about it too much, cause i'm thinking, don't lug, drive it harder for the turbo, etc...and after i get off work, engine is cold, and i'd be driving downhill and not want to idle a diesel...but i'm in the parking garage maybe a couple minutes before i get out, so might not that be big a deal

 

[Bob_Fout]

You are over-thinking it Just drive it what feels best. Leave the break-in for the road were you can load it up.

 

[TornadoRed]

In my 2010, i have to go up 8-10 floors daily for work...speed changes occur during the turns where i go maybe 5 mph or less at those times...should i go up in first gear the whole way? hit second on the straights and downshift on turns?

not sure the best way to do this, esp. with a new engine that's being broken in...i'm sure i need to do what's best for engine break-in than for mpg at this point, but dunno what that is

It sounds like 1st gear all the time is not required. So upshift on the straights and downshift on the turns. Nothing you do in a parking garage will affect the breaking-in of a new engine.

 

[MPLSTDI]

What I have done is park on the first floor, but that means I have to walk a lot more. I would rather not get my turbo all hot and shut it down.

 

[TornadoRed]

What I have done is park on the first floor, but that means I have to walk a lot more. I would rather not get my turbo all hot and shut it down.

Nothing you do in a parking garage will affect the turbo either.

 

[-Adonis-]

^ Unless you're putting it to the floor in first, j turn into the parking spot and shut it down before you finish said j turn

 

[740GLE]

thats not how you're suposed to park in a garage?

whats the fun then?

 

[talltacoma]

I would bark the tires once a floor...at a minimum. Bark the tires anytime you see a pedestrian and simutaneously honk the horn. Yes, yank the e-brake and slide into your parking spot. If you can't do that, give up the TDI.

 

[TornadoRed]

Parking lots and parking garages are among the most risky of all driving situations. I prefer to drive cautiously, lest someone back out right in front of me, or come around a corner quickly headed right at me.

 

[solartempest]

In the economy thread? Is the distance inside the garage such a large percentage of the total commute that the fuel use in the garage is important?
Yes? WALK!
No? Then who cares?
Are you sure that idle rpm in 2nd is too fast a ground speed for the turns? Try leaving it in second the whole time to see if that eliminates the clutch shift clutch dance at each turn. Easier for you, and, if 900 rpm in 2nd isn't too fast, easier on the car, too.

Hey! My commute is ~4.3mi - going up two floors of parking garage is significant in my daily fuel economy!
A single stop (for a car or light) is 5% difference at least.

My garage is two floors, with 90 degree turns. Going up the floors, I'll keep it in 1st almost the whole way. At the last two turns, I use neutral to the keycard reader. Going to 2nd would be WAY too fast or a tough struggle to keep enough speed to stay in 2nd.

Going down the floors, I keycard in and use neutral the whole way down. It's tricky maintaining enough speed while being careful and making it all the way into my spot in one shot. Took me maybe a month to be able to do it consistently.

 

[mackconsult]

Sounds like a "captain ron" ....

I would bark the tires once a floor...at a minimum. Bark the tires anytime you see a pedestrian and simutaneously honk the horn. Yes, yank the e-brake and slide into your parking spot. If you can't do that, give up the TDI.

 

[sinfony78]

is it considered lugging if you're in 2nd gear driving down the parking garage at a speed that keeps the RPMs at about 1k?

 

[Diesel_Mikey]

I would bark the tires once a floor...at a minimum. Bark the tires anytime you see a pedestrian and simutaneously honk the horn. Yes, yank the e-brake and slide into your parking spot. If you can't do that, give up the TDI.

You must be in charge of the training program for the International Brotherhood of Guys Who Dent Your Car Then Expect a Tip (i.e. the parking valets' union) .

 

[TornadoRed]

is it considered lugging if you're in 2nd gear driving down the parking garage at a speed that keeps the RPMs at about 1k?

1000 rpm in 2nd is safe except on the steepest upgrades. I know a couple places where you must drop down to 1st.

 

[Concat]

Coincidentally, if you drive it at 88 mph, you'll restore it to it's factory settings and ruin all that break in effort. You'd have to start all over again.

88 MILES PER HOUR!