Shifting Technique

[SmaartAasSaabr]

A couple of the "fuel economy" threads got my interest piqued on this subject. I usually always shift up very early (usually before 2250 r/min) and shift very smoothly, which has the great side-effect of making my passengers think we're going slowly, so I can go faster :P

In my 900 Turbo I hardly ever get out of 5th gear once I'm there, when I need to pass I just punch the throttle and go into boost...

So hey, how do you shift?

[amoney]

Well when I was driving manual, I was a bit more aggressive, I would typically shift around 3k to 4k but no more than 4k unless I was really antsy, then 4k to 5k easy. Still did 30 mpg. Always in 5th gear even at 40 mph. I look at 6 gears cars today, and I still don't get why the need for 6 gears.

[HighVoltage]

Well when I was driving manual, I was a bit more aggressive, I would typically shift around 3k to 4k but no more than 4k unless I was really antsy, then 4k to 5k easy. Still did 30 mpg. Always in 5th gear even at 40 mph. I look at 6 gears cars today, and I still don't get why the need for 6 gears.

All depends on the rear end differential and torque band of the engine. Sometimes that 6th gear isnt an overdrive, like 5th but rather an additional gear below 1:1. Allows a lower torque output of the engine and just make it up with 1 more gear (i.e. 1 more torque multipier).

[amoney]

Well when I was driving manual, I was a bit more aggressive, I would typically shift around 3k to 4k but no more than 4k unless I was really antsy, then 4k to 5k easy. Still did 30 mpg. Always in 5th gear even at 40 mph. I look at 6 gears cars today, and I still don't get why the need for 6 gears.

All depends on the rear end differential and torque band of the engine. Sometimes that 6th gear isnt an overdrive, like 5th but rather an additional gear below 1:1. Allows a lower torque output of the engine and just make it up with 1 more gear (i.e. 1 more torque multipier).

I will tell you, although higher torque at lower rpm seemed neat for a VW jetta manual, in the end I really did not care for it, most of the time I was speeding around in the higher rpm and it just sucked, naturally. No fun with your max torque at 2k to 3k.

[AirMoore]

I normally shift between 2,500-3,000 RPM.

[A-TownNavi]

I normally shift between 2,500-3,000 RPM.

X2. but it ALL depends on the mood im in

[the_Flash083]

I normally shift between 2,500-3,000 RPM.

X2. but it ALL depends on the mood im in

X3 but i have a v6 if i had a 4cyl i would go higher.

[brick]

It depends on what I'm trying to do. If I need to move my rear I'll hold gears out past 3K RPM, doing my best to match the revs to the next gear. If I'm just driving normally I shift at 2000 or 2100RPM, getting into fifth as early as possible. I can normally stay in fifth above 35mph, even climbing a slight grade. I like to coast in neutral over long distances if I have the opportunity. My car doesn't seem to shut down injectors at closed throttle so it only makes sense to stay in gear on a steep hill when I don't want to cook my brakes. (I like having the Scangauge so that I can see things like fuel flow rate and engine load to help optimize my driving.)

[AirMoore]

I also forgot to add 5,000RPM on the bike...


These shift:RPM numbers(for the car and bike are for casual driving).

[kpatz]

In my Saturn I would usually shift between 2000 and 3000 rpm, in normal driving. When being more aggressive in accelerating I would go up to 4000-5000 or so (redline is 6500). There was no benefit in going any higher in that car.

With my Audi, it doesn't really get its A$$ going until 2000 rpm or so when the turbo boost kicks in, so I tend to shift it at closer to 4000-5000 rpm when I want to accelerate. If I'm in traffic, I'll shift as needed to keep up with traffic (2000-2500 rpm shifts if accelerating slowly, 2500-3500 if accelerating more quickly).

P.S. the_Flash083, did you realize the picture in your signature is sideways?