• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

5spd manual transmission question: RPM and Speed.

C

cx32m4

Senior member
I've been driving 5spd manual transmission for about 3 weeks.
I change gear when RPM hits 3000.
I drive around in city in 3rd about 60kmh, where RPM is at or near 3000.
When I learned how to drive 5spd manual, i was told that I should always keep RPM higher or near 3000 because if I drive lower RPM than that, i will put too much stress on engin because it has to move so much weight with low power.
But then today a firend of mine who also drives manual, says that high RPM will put stress on engin causing damage and fuel lost, and I should drive around 2000-2500 and stay away from 3000.

anyone know about this stuff?
 
Depends on the vehicle. A low geared vehicle like a truck or an SUV might be working pretty hard at 3,000 RPM's. A high strung buzz saw like a honda civic or a toyota celica might just start breaking a sweat at 3,000 RPMs.

Best way to judge is to listen to your engine and try and hear when it's working hard.
 
Totally depends on the car...

Anyways, you should *know* when you need to shift by the way it sounds...I don't know how you would learn, it just seems natural to me. Many manual cars don't even have a tach...
 
Around the city, I'm usually at about 1800 RPMs in 4th gear....car runs really smooth and you get better gas mileage.
 
Whenever you are going a constant speed always use the highest possible gear to reduce wear and tear and improve fuel economy. I have always had manual transmission vehicles and I always get into 5th gear as soon as possible. Newer cars are designed to be in 5th gear even at 30 mph. Use 5th gear and save a lot of gas and repair bills. You can always downshift for power if you need to accelerate.
 
Yeah dude, you should be able to hear when you need to shift, not just use the tach.

When it sounds to start winding out then shift. Ya know, when it gets loud and annoying?
 
I go from first to second rapidly then to third at around 2300 and then to fourth at 2500 and fifth when I hit the highway or a long stretch of road.. saves a butt load of gas.. and I think that higher revs are definitely worse on the engine than normal light rpm shifting because of the design of the cars..

Oh and by the way thats all by ear because I never use the Tach.. it's worthless unless you have your music at full volume or something..
 
It varies depending on how I'm driving, and how much horsepower I need to put down. I always try to use the highest gear possible. Low RPMs and light throttle saves a ton of gas.
 
I drive '96 Acura Integra LS coupe, non-vtech

Base Engine 1.8L 142 hp I4

Turbo / Supercharger None

Horsepower 142 @ 7000 RPM

Torque 125 lb/ft.

engin info i got from msn.com


dang 5th in city?
i rarely go 5th, only when i drive in highway, and go above 80kmh.
like i said, only been driving this for maybe a month or bit less, so engin sound is nothing to me.
i just try not to take RPM too low to prevent engin from stopping.
but car has been running great .
i should try what you guys have suggested.
gees now i know why i loose gas so fast.
thanks

 
I have that car from 95 and have 100,000 miles. You are fine no matter how you drive it. I usually shift around 2500-2800 if I am just puttering around. But it is nothing for me to shift at 4000, 5000, 6000, whenever the rev limiter makes me...
I also find myself just coasting around at 1200 - 1800 rpm in traffic (you know, foot off the gas and it just pulling me along)
Love those Integras😀
 
Lots of variables here, if I need to get moving in a hurry, I'll run my Probe up to 6K before I shift, thats 55-60 in 2nd, yeah, I know, it's burning gas, but if you gotta get into traffic... Normally its all by ear, something you just have to learn. You can tell when you are winding to high, shift down to accelerat up for steaty velocity. You can run in 5th at 35-40mph, just don't expect much to happen if you mash on the gas pedal.
 


<< dang 5th in city?
i rarely go 5th, only when i drive in highway, and go above 80kmh.
like i said, only been driving this for maybe a month or bit less, so engin sound is nothing to me.
i just try not to take RPM too low to prevent engin from stopping.
but car has been running great .
i should try what you guys have suggested.
gees now i know why i loose gas so fast.
thanks >>

You could easily be running in 5th @ 40mph (I'm not too keen on kmh😉)...
 
play it by the ear and how the car feels... i have an '89 that runs smoothly in 5th at anything above 30mph. just as long as you don't need to accelerate, you should be fine... and yeah it saves gas.

the 5th gear is usually the overdrive and is not meant for acceleration... most cars will go around 1800 at lower speeds in 5th.
 
Um, I change about 4500-6000 rpms in first gear, and second gear, and then brake cos i'm speeding 😉 Get about 80-100 km's outta first, engine's working pretty hard, but that's what I built the damn thing for! 🙂
 


<< It varies depending on how I'm driving, and how much horsepower I need to put down. I always try to use the highest gear possible. Low RPMs and light throttle saves a ton of gas. >>



bingo. with $3 gas approaching, i think a lot of people will start driving smarter
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top