Both Frank and Matthew are now on the road, but they get up to speed in very different ways. Frank uses the standard method of shifting, which uses high RPMs to get into the next gear. However, Matthew has learned progressive shifting, which is much more fuel-efficient.

Your vehicle's fuel consumption is lowest at its lowest RPMs (in lower gears, you use less fuel). Progressive shifting is a method that allows you to bring your vehicle up to highway speed using the least RPMs between shifts (which uses the least amount of fuel). The engine is brought up to about 3/4 of the maximum RPMs with every shift.

Matthew uses the least number of RPMs to get moving and then shifts into the next gear. He continues to shift as soon as he gets enough power to increase speed without lugging the engine. There is no need to accelerate to the governor unless maximum power is required.

In the chart pictured here, the green line shows Matthew's method and the red line shows the standard method that Frank uses. Matthew gets to the same speed at about the same time, but uses less fuel because of the lower RPMs.

Besides fuel economy, there are other benefits to progressive shifting, including:

• Reduction in equipment wear,
• Lower noise levels, and
• Smoother shifts.