YACT: '97 Mazda Protege

[vegetation]

From my experience, cars without tachs usually have the lowest base engine in them. That often means an engine that makes most of its power in the midband range with a rapid decline in power approaching maximum revs.

 

[Ronstang]

You should not need a tach to know when to shift. If you do, you don't know how to drive a stick or understand the mechanics anyway. The only time you NEED a tach is in a race car.

 

[orakle]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: Stunt
You don't need a tach.

(approximate)
start = first
15-25 = second
25-45 = third
45-60 = fourth
60+ = fifth

yep, that is if you are going a bit faster. if you want better mpg just shift into
0-10 = first
10-20 = second
20-30 = third
30-40 = fourth
40+ = fifth

I have an '03 mazdaspeed protege and that is what i usually use.

Thanks.. I was actually wondering what shift ranges other people were using.. I usually do it approximately like this:

0-20 km/h (0-12mph) = first
20-50 km/h (12-30mph) = second
50-70 km/h (30-42mph) = third
70-100 km/h (42-60mph) = fourth
100 km/h+ (60mph+) = fifth

Gas is up to around $1.20 cdn/L (almost $4 usd/gal) where I live, so I'm trying to drive softer and I'm going to start shifting earlier if it means saving a few bucks.

 

[Raduque]

Everybody else gave good advice on shifting, so I'll throw in on the stereo: It's probably a proprietary plug for a factory CD changer. If they still make them, just get another casette adapter, or maybe a new HU.

 

[Stunt]

Originally posted by: orakle

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: Stunt
You don't need a tach.

(approximate)
start = first
15-25 = second
25-45 = third
45-60 = fourth
60+ = fifth

yep, that is if you are going a bit faster. if you want better mpg just shift into
0-10 = first
10-20 = second
20-30 = third
30-40 = fourth
40+ = fifth

I have an '03 mazdaspeed protege and that is what i usually use.

Thanks.. I was actually wondering what shift ranges other people were using.. I usually do it approximately like this:

0-20 km/h (0-12mph) = first
20-50 km/h (12-30mph) = second
50-70 km/h (30-42mph) = third
70-100 km/h (42-60mph) = fourth
100 km/h+ (60mph+) = fifth

Gas is up to around $1.20 cdn/L (almost $4 usd/gal) where I live, so I'm trying to drive softer and I'm going to start shifting earlier if it means saving a few bucks.

You are Canadian!?
Here I am wasting all my time trying to convert to mph for you...
I was thinking where i typically shift in km and trying to round to mph...

hehe

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: orakle

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: Stunt
You don't need a tach.

(approximate)
start = first
15-25 = second
25-45 = third
45-60 = fourth
60+ = fifth

yep, that is if you are going a bit faster. if you want better mpg just shift into
0-10 = first
10-20 = second
20-30 = third
30-40 = fourth
40+ = fifth

I have an '03 mazdaspeed protege and that is what i usually use.

Thanks.. I was actually wondering what shift ranges other people were using.. I usually do it approximately like this:

0-20 km/h (0-12mph) = first
20-50 km/h (12-30mph) = second
50-70 km/h (30-42mph) = third
70-100 km/h (42-60mph) = fourth
100 km/h+ (60mph+) = fifth

Gas is up to around $1.20 cdn/L (almost $4 usd/gal) where I live, so I'm trying to drive softer and I'm going to start shifting earlier if it means saving a few bucks.

I do 10 (to 2nd)/20(to 3rd etc)/30/40 shifts usually.
If I'm on an easy run I won't downshift if I don't need to (like down a hill or on the flat), so sometimes I'm 25mph in 4th, or 30 in 5th.

 

[orakle]

Originally posted by: Stunt
You are Canadian!?
Here I am wasting all my time trying to convert to mph for you...
I was thinking where i typically shift in km and trying to round to mph...

hehe

Funny how people try and accomodate each other... I often find myself speaking French to another anglophone just because neither of us realize what each other's first language is.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Did the higherend Proteges have tacs? If so you might just be able to swap out the whole gauge cluster for one with a tac. The wiring and crap will probably already be there but you would have to ask somebody that knows proteges.

 

[CraigRT]

I don't suggest doing this often, but rev it high sometime as you are accelerating and see if you can find a fuel cutoff... That should help you identify how far away you are from redline when you are accelerating hard.

 

[doze]

My old car had no tach. but it had a shift light