Photograph of gearchange indicator light

[DanLockton]

Hi,

My dad had a 360 GL for many years, indeed, I learned to drive in it, and I vividly remember the gearchange indicator light on the dashboard, which (I assume) came on at a certain RPM to suggest that it was time to change gear (from a fuel economy point of view). It always struck me as a good idea as a kid.

Now, I'm currently engaged in an engineering design research project involving similar kinds of 'economy indicators' on different types of products, which suggest more efficient behaviour to the user, and would very much like to reference this Volvo innovation.

But I'm having trouble finding a good photo of the gearchange indicator close-up (i.e. with the gearstick icon). There are a couple of brochure photos on this site showing the whole dashboard with the indicator just visible, and one of the photos of a member's car (the one with the red dash panels and trim) shows the indicator but is quite low-resolution.

Is there anyone who's got a good photo of the gearchange indicator light they'd be willing to let me use? It wouldn't be used commercially, and I'd make sure you were credited for it.

Thanks for your help
Dan Lockton
danlockton@gmail.com

[petefarrell360]

Hi Dan and welcome to V3M! How urgently are you looking for a pic, as I have access to a vehicle with the gear change indicator, but it might take me a couple of days to get a pic sorted?

Also, if you have a browse though the forum you'll see an econ gauge in the same position, normally with a white zone to the left and a red zone to the right and a needle which moves pretty quickly to indicate the vacuum in the inlet manifold. This then is pretty much a simple indication of wide open throttle or a more restricted, economical and relaxed driving style. So I'm sure that would be of a similar interest with regards to your project. I can get a good picture of that too, but there are lots floating around the forum in the meantime.

All the best,

Pete

[DanLockton]

Thanks Pete,
It's not urgent - any picture would be very much appreciated!

Just found a couple of good pictures of the vacuum economy gauge on the forum as you say - this too is certainly relevant to the project; it's interesting that Volvo offered both kinds of aids to economy driving. Vacuum gauges seem to have been quite a popular aftermarket accessory for lots of cars in the 1950s and 60s (judging by the ads in the back of old car magazines) but not many manufacturers seem to have offered them as standard (BMW and Reliant spring to mind - at opposite ends of the scale!).

Thanks again for your help,

Best wishes
Dan

[Chris_C]

I'm trying to think what else offered them... beemers certainly have them as standard in the dash, I think Merc did during late 80's early 90s at least too.

I'm guessing you know how the vacuum gauges work, but remember that vacuum is dependant on load on the engine as well as throttle position, so keeping throttle the same on flat then going up hill will vastly change teh vacuum level, as more fuel is sucked in.

[petefarrell360]

Indeed Chris, good explanation. Indeed, some Merc's of the 80's and early 90's had them. If you do some research a lot of companies offered them as a an extra. The 300 econ gauges and ambient temp gauges were never fitted as standard, only on special models like the blueline I think. Anyway, I'll try and get those pics when I get some time, I should be able to get the connection and spring mechanism in a shot from one that isn't fitted if you like.

Please remind me if I forget!

Pete

[filthyjohn]

I might be able to rustle up a pic tomorrow, but someone with a better camera might do a better job. My uncle had a late 80's corolla with a little LED in the dash marked 'economy', which came on if you did anything other than gently slow down.

[trabitom99]

This is the best pic I could find of the change-up indicator, Dan:


http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... php?t=5531

Tom

[DanLockton]

Thanks everyone - the picture that Tom posted of the gearchange indicator is excellent and will be fine for the project.

Thinking about the vacuum economy gauges and similar, it reminded me of some 1960s/70s Smiths speedos which were marked with extra dots at the speeds when you 'should' change gear - very primitive, but for cars without a rev counter, or for learning to drive in the first place, it might have been useful.

The project's comparing different methods of encouraging people to use products/systems more efficiently, trying to apply techniques from different fields (like the gearchange indicator) to consumer products, and then building and testing working prototypes to see how different techniques compare in actually changing users' behaviour, and why some of them have more impact than others.

It's interesting to see how drivers rely on feedback (like engine noise) to learn, pretty quickly, to drive economically (if they want to) but with many domestic products, such as washing machines, fridges, kettles and heating systems, most people never develop that 'instinct' for economical use. I'm approaching it from an engineering/design background but a lot of it is really down to psychology.

I'll make sure V3M is referenced - thanks again everyone for your help; I guessed that 300-series owners would be friendly, think it goes with the car!

[trabitom99]

Thinking about the vacuum economy gauges and similar, it reminded me of some 1960s/70s Smiths speedos which were marked with extra dots at the speeds when you 'should' change gear - very primitive, but for cars without a rev counter, or for learning to drive in the first place, it might have been useful.

The MkII Golf I learned to drive on had those marks on the speedo too. I used to love quoting the instruction manual at my parents saying "look, the book says I'm doing the engine no harm at all" while doing something like 60 mph in second gear

Anyway, good luck with your project!

Tom

[mac]

Hi Dan,

Have e-mailed you with more info.

Mac.

[filthyjohn]

Is the picture on the gearchange indicator supposed to look like a bent valve or is it just me?

[MJ]

Sounds an interesting project. It is indeed interesting how people use a combination of sound, feel and vision to know when to change gear.

I'd like to know the difference between those who play very loud music and those who don't. I change gear only by ear, but people with loud music must change by sight. Would be an interesting comparison.

[petefarrell360]

An interesting one MJ, the other senses are certainly useful. It's something I've never really thought about that much, but not only is sight a key factor, I know I use timing subconsciously, just knowing when to change gear, and you also feel how the car is pulling, whether it is pulling under power, etc etc. The rev gauge is useful, and you probably view it subconsciously, but it's not something you watch every gear change in casual driving, the same for sound, if someone is talking or you're listening to music quite loud, you don't always listen for the engine noise, you just know what is right at the right time! It's also about knowing your vehicle and the gear ratios. For example, when pulling away roughly how quickly you're going to need to change from 1st gear, the 360 for instance has a very short 1st gear, meaning if you did stamp on it, you're on the limiter pretty quickly, so things need to be tailored to each vehicle.

I work with very loud wood working machinery, and wearing hearing protection does dull some senses, but increases others, as I can tell just how well the saw is cutting, what it's doing and what I need to do from a combination of the small amount of sound I can hear, the feel and sight, but most of it comes from experience and it comes as second nature.

It really has made me think about the cars I've driven that don't have a rev gauge to visually see when to change gear, I know that sometimes the music was loud, and with conversation in a modern very quiet car, well insulated from the engine bay, engine noise is very low, so I must automatically know when to change gear from experience and the feel of the car and how it's reacting.

Anyway, threadjack over.........The econ gauge in the 300 is for me a toy to compliment the dash cluster and it is quite amusing to watch it move so quickly, it is pretty useless for acceleration or town driving, but does become useful on a motorway for instance, when you can visually see how once you've reached the desired cruising speed, how much you can ease off, increase economy, but maintain the speed.

Pete

[MJ]

Hmm, interesting points Pete. I guess also after driving a road several times you memorise the gear change locations.