Hi guys. I just recently bought a Ford Focus TDCI 2.0 (YAY!!!) and so far I'm very impressed with it (I used to drive a Kia Pride, Rav4, Vios).

My question however isn't really Ford Focus-focused, rather, a general question about overdriving (if I understand the definition right, is the use of the higher gears to attain lower RPMs, thus lower fuel consumption).

Driving my Focus, I realized that with little traffic I can drive around Metro Manila: [Loyola Hts.-C5-The Fort-Aurora-Loyala Hts] late at night (very light traffic) and get around 5.5-6L/100KM (16-18KM/L) which I think is really great for a car that isn't really tight-budget level. Normal QC-Makati on rush hour churns out around 8-10L/100KM (10-12.5KM/L) which is still very respectable. Harurot driving (happens when I see Subaru Imprezas or get passed by siento-vente noisy cars) FC is at around 10-11 L/100KM (9-10KM/L).

My 2nd gen Vios 1.5G A/T that drowned in Ondoy (TYVM AOG insurance) was doing that rush-hour grind at around 7-8KM/L which I thought was absolutely horrible for a car that was supposed to be cheap to operate).

I was able to achieve this by driving using the dual-clutches' sequential gear shift feature, shifting up at around 1800-2000 RPM. Since the Focus commands massive amounts of torque (320Nm if I remember correctly, truck-level as people say), it doesn't hiccup at all and actually drives smoother than the standard jerky-sporty D(rive) or S(port?) mode.

The question is, am I unduly causing my engine extra stress by maximizing the engine's torque? I plan to drive this car for the next five years (and more if possible!).

I know people would say na I should just keep it on D(rive), but that way it drives jerky, and shifts up at around 3,000 RPM even if I step on the accelerator very lighty.

So car gurus, what do you think?