'87 Porsche 944

Near 12 o'clock on my spedometer is an arrow gauge which lights up when the car senses that the driver should upshift. The problem is if I heed the advice of this gauge, I suffer in acceleration. The 'problem' when heeding this light is most evident when switching from 4th - 5th, (i.e. Maintaining 40 MPH in 4th Gear, the shifter light comes on, shift from 4th - 5th. Engine sounds a bit bogged, acceleration lacks greatly).

On one hand, I think this 'dummy light' was intended to help the driver conserve fuel by traveling at a constant rate in the appropriate gear. On the other hand, if fuel conservation were the idea behind this light, would there not also be a downshift 'dummy light' alerting the driver that traveling at 25 MPH in 5th Gear probably isnt the most efficient mean?

My question is, what is the reason for this upshift light?

I could run a personal test by driving a tank empty while heeding the light, then drive a tank empty while listening to the engine and ignoring the light, and then compare the gas mileage between both stages...

...But I dont think the upshift light serves to help the driver consume fuel.

Any knowledge, advice, and/or opinion concerning the 'shifter light' is welcome. Thanks!

 

I've owned Audis and Volkswagens with this upshift light, and it is just what you said, it tells you when to shift to conserve fuel. At one time, it was called the "e" light. However, once you get to know your car's responses to your commands, you will hardly notice that light anymore. Then again, there's always the option to disable it.

 

Don't disable it if its on your car, as it WILL cause you problems, since its tied to the DME. Feel free to ignore it, tho, as its not a particularly useful indication of anything. It was originally put in the US cars for emmisions/fuel economy reasons.

Regards,

 

if it sounds/feels like you're lugging the engine, you probably are.

if i can keep the turns above 2500 i upshift.
i drive up a hill coming home and keep it in 4th, no upshift lite on the 951 but had it on the 87 944S.[8D]

 

the upshift on the tach is the "conservative" shift light. In other words, if you want to save gas and be easier on the engine, the DME suggests you shift. If im not mistaken, there is shift indicator that comes on just before redline that is performance orientated