The best gear in town

As a result of a motoring misdemeanour, I recently attended a speed awareness course. One of the suggestions for keeping speed down was to stay in third gear during town driving. We were told this would not affect fuel economy.

I resisted the urge to challenge this assertion (nobody likes a mouthy criminal!), but I find this very hard to believe. Surely the higher the revs, the more fuel used? It is not the first time I have heard this suggestion from safety campaigners, but surely it must increase pollution and reduce fuel economy?

Has the four-hour course of statistics, videos and light-hearted lecturing had any effect on my driving? Yes, actually it has a bit, which I suppose can’t be a bad thing. Paul Hinderer Via email Sounds like hokum to us, particularly as far as modern cars are concerned. Exercising greater restraint is surely the most effective way to keep within the speed limits in towns – MB