Your shift habits?

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Depends what I'm driving. If it's the beat-up Tercel my buddy gave me for free, I shift at about 2k. Anything faster than even that slow speed and the engine sounds like it's gonna asplode.

My Ranger? Depends... usually 3000 to 3500; maybe 4500 if I'm in a bit of a hurry.

The Miatas? They were no strangers to the 7200 redline; however I found 6000-6500 to be the most effective shift range.

So I guess the end-all answer is.... 17.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

i now see why we have so many vehicles burning oil on the road, revving them consistantly to redline, usualy not too good for the engine.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Truenofan
i now see why we have so many vehicles burning oil on the road, revving them consistantly to redline, usualy not too good for the engine.

Actually, never driving an engine hard is bad for it. Reference the Cadillac Northstar V8s...a lot of grandmas would come in complaining about oil leaks. Solution: give it to the 18-year-old mechanic's assistant to perform an Italian tuneup.

Obviously you don't want to rev the piss out of an engine that's not running right, but if you're engine's in good shape, it won't punish you for the occational foray into its powerband.

When I'm driving for economy on my car, it's usually 3k, 3k, 2.5k all the way to fifth, but when I'm driving for fun it's just shy of 8k

On the bike it's usually 4k, but 6k nets me a good solid pull, and 10k would probably get me an instant ticket if a cop was watching. Freeway onramps FTW.

 

[zerocool84]

every car is different and has different torque/gear ratios so everyone will be different.

 

[exdeath]

Depends. Just casually driving I'll short shift at 2000-2500 RPM from first to 5th and typically cruise around 45+ mph in either 5th or 6th between 1000-1500 RPM. I shift so fast and clean that it feels and sounds like an automatic hitting 4th by the time you cross the intersection from a red light.

If someone is getting uppity, or I simply find myself alone on a long stretch of clear road, I'll blow through first slow and easy just to get rolling so as not to roast the tires or hop like a bunny, then shift to second and hold it to the floor to 6500 RPM, again shifting quick enough that anyone around would think it was an automatic, and hit 100 mph before the top of third. Thats usually enough for me on public roads (I only do this in long uninterrupted places where its 55+ anyway after the last light). Then I'll let off and coast to the speed limit still in 3rd while listening to the sweet music. An on-ramp is a terrible thing to waste.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thomsbrain

Originally posted by: shabby
1st to 6300rpm, shift, wheel spin
2nd to 6300rpm, shift, chirp
3rd to 6300rpm, shift
4th to 6300rpm, shift
5th to 6300rpm, turn on flashers, raise arms in glory of winning the race

Sounds like a CRX I used to drive. Rubber in third? Check!

To the OP: This should be different for every car, in every condition, for every specific need/want, for every run through the gears. There is no end-all, be-all "proper" shift point.

You'll note that I didn't ask for the right shift point.

you asked for habits, and my point is that you shouldn't HAVE any habits.

 

[ViviTheMage]

2800-3000 in all gears

 

[Aikouka]

4,000 when I decide to be a rebel and use manual shift mode . Heck, I normally keep my hand on the shifter even when it's in automatic mode anyway... just used to it .

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
I rarely look at the tach, just shift by sound/speed/vibration, have for a very long time.

I have no choice, seeing as neither of my manuals has a tach

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
4,000 when I decide to be a rebel and use manual shift mode . Heck, I normally keep my hand on the shifter even when it's in automatic mode anyway... just used to it .

You're not supposed to rest your hand on the shifter in a manual

 

[fbrdphreak]

2000-2500rpm or until the other cars are far behind...so 4000rpm in that case

 

[Apex]

Normal driving, I try to keep revs above 2k or so, from 1st to 7th.

 

[Eos]

2nd: 1200
3rd: 1300
4th: 1400
5th: 1500
6th: 1500
7th: 1600
8th: 1600
9th: 1600
10th: 1600
11th - 13th: 1700

Progressive shifting ftw! Intersections can be slow to get through shifting that much, but I don't mind.

 

[Kestnuts]

Is that for a semi truck or what?

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
You're not supposed to rest your hand on the shifter in a manual

Meh, I only need one hand to turn . 10-and-2 ain't got nothin' on this!

I think I actually rest it there to relax more while driving since your elbow is fairly relaxed if they're at a 90 degree angle (hence why you're supposed to have it at a 90 degree angle while computing). Because sometimes I switch hands completely while driving and use my right hand to steer and I'll set my left elbow at the base of the window and relax my head on my hand. Gotta stay relaxed or I'll flip out when people drive at 10 below the speed limit or tailgate inches from my bumper.

You know that makes me wonder.. why the hell do people literally speed and won't slow down until they get straight up on your bumper? I drive at 5 over everywhere, so it's not like I'm going slow... these people are going to cream my car if I have to stop for a deer or something and I will not be a happy camper if someone hits my car because they're an impatient, poor-driving little twat.

 

[AMCRambler]

Can't find it? Grind it!

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Aikouka
You know that makes me wonder.. why the hell do people literally speed and won't slow down until they get straight up on your bumper? I drive at 5 over everywhere, so it's not like I'm going slow... these people are going to cream my car if I have to stop for a deer or something and I will not be a happy camper if someone hits my car because they're an impatient, poor-driving little twat.

Because you're supposed to use that time as they approach to GTF out of the way

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Apex
Normal driving, I try to keep revs above 2k or so, from 1st to 7th.

M5... :salivating:

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: Kestnuts
Is that for a semi truck or what?

You know it!

 

[DarkThinker]

All gears @ 4K.

 

[MadAmos]

1-2 1700
2-3 1700
3-4 1700
4-5 1700
5-6 1700
6-7 1700
7-8 1700
and so forth until
17-18 1700

Da*N I love my CAT 475

Amos

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
You're not supposed to rest your hand on the shifter in a manual

Meh, I only need one hand to turn . 10-and-2 ain't got nothin' on this!

I think I actually rest it there to relax more while driving since your elbow is fairly relaxed if they're at a 90 degree angle (hence why you're supposed to have it at a 90 degree angle while computing). Because sometimes I switch hands completely while driving and use my right hand to steer and I'll set my left elbow at the base of the window and relax my head on my hand. Gotta stay relaxed or I'll flip out when people drive at 10 below the speed limit or tailgate inches from my bumper.

You know that makes me wonder.. why the hell do people literally speed and won't slow down until they get straight up on your bumper? I drive at 5 over everywhere, so it's not like I'm going slow... these people are going to cream my car if I have to stop for a deer or something and I will not be a happy camper if someone hits my car because they're an impatient, poor-driving little twat.

I'm thinking keeping force on the shifter when it's already in gear would just cause more wear on the forks and the contact surface of the synchros/selectors (forget what the sliding splined half is called, you can feel it rub and whine and resist if you force it while it's already locked in gear and synchronized and can't go any further). But maybe it's for another reason. I rest my forearm on the center console with my hand on the shift knob but just barely touching the knob without any force; the weight of my arm is on the console.

People drive like that all the time here (Tucson). I'll be stopped at a light in the lane thats backed up for the left turn cutout and every asshat goes barreling by at 65+ in the empty lane past all the stopped cars (any of which who could be on their cell phone and decide to randomly pull out without notice)... and the light is red anyway and they wait until they are 10 feet from someones bumper to stop. Mexicans in trucks or SUVs with Altezzas and over sized chrome rims are the worst offenders. Better yet, the people that change lanes back and forth 30 feet from the light every time one lane moves so much as half an inch further than the lane they are in, esp when they end up getting stuck in both lanes 2 cars from the crosswalk... Changing lanes at the last minute without a signal, without slowing down, without braking, just drifting over without looking when they are 2" from someones bumper is also common. Intentionally running stop signs and red lights is common too, you'll see them stare right at the light/sign and make no attempt to speed up, slow down, nothing. Guess thats how they drive in Mexico, me me me me me, so it's acceptable here? Bullshit.

I hate stupid short sighted immediate gratification 1 second attention span people.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: exdeath
But maybe it's for another reason. I rest my forearm on the center console with my hand on the shift knob but just barely touching the knob without any force; the weight of my arm is on the console.

That's what I do. Although you can't forget that I drive an automatic and do this, but I used to do it when I drove a manual as well.

Originally posted by: exdeath
People drive like that all the time here (Tucson).

I think I would die from a heart attack if I drove there.

I was driving one day and I swear I was getting close to having one, because I was just getting so irritated and worked up over how dumb people were being. It was raining out, so instead of driving 45... people were going 30mph! Unless your tires are bald, which can be a hazard regardless of the weather, you should have enough tread to drive in the rain at the standard posted speed. Even my crummy OEM tires (thanks for that Nissan... 35k for a car and $50 tires.. made me sad to trade in my car with $120 tires ) I could drive just fine at 45. Then I got to experience the lovely downtown area where at the one larger 4-way intersection, the cars ahead of me pretty much just stopped all of a sudden... while I was still in the intersection! I sat there worried that the other side would get to go and some bozo would go without looking. That wasn't even all of what went on! I really do hate driving with other people.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: exdeath
But maybe it's for another reason. I rest my forearm on the center console with my hand on the shift knob but just barely touching the knob without any force; the weight of my arm is on the console.

That's what I do. Although you can't forget that I drive an automatic and do this, but I used to do it when I drove a manual as well.

Heh passengers love it when I'm driving an auto and suddenly slam the wide brake pedal down with my left foot :evil: