The Tao of Manual Drive
#1
Hi,
Being a non manual driver, I was wondering how the manual GT drives. I've read online that when you shift into different gears it should go as following
1 0-15mph
2 15-30
3 30-45
4 45-60
5 60+
Does this sound right for the GT? Now I'm strictly talking about regular driving. I don't care much to hear about "Spirited Driving" because that is much more varied in the driving.
I've also noticed that down shifting is about 1000 rmp difference to keep the same speed. For example if I"m going 50 mph in 4th at 3000 rpm, if I down shift to 3rd gear to keep going 50 mph, I'll need to up the rpm to around 4000 rpm to keep the speed at 50. Does this sound right? I just learned this messing around with a car with triptronic transmission, so I think a clutch manual would be the same.
Also to be efficient at driving around what RPM should I be shooting for? 2000, 2500, 3000?
Being a non manual driver, I was wondering how the manual GT drives. I've read online that when you shift into different gears it should go as following
1 0-15mph
2 15-30
3 30-45
4 45-60
5 60+
Does this sound right for the GT? Now I'm strictly talking about regular driving. I don't care much to hear about "Spirited Driving" because that is much more varied in the driving.
I've also noticed that down shifting is about 1000 rmp difference to keep the same speed. For example if I"m going 50 mph in 4th at 3000 rpm, if I down shift to 3rd gear to keep going 50 mph, I'll need to up the rpm to around 4000 rpm to keep the speed at 50. Does this sound right? I just learned this messing around with a car with triptronic transmission, so I think a clutch manual would be the same.
Also to be efficient at driving around what RPM should I be shooting for? 2000, 2500, 3000?
#4
Originally posted by SaleenPowr@August 29, 2005, 10:04 AM
40mph is 5th is way to slow. It really bogs down when accelerating. 55+ for me when shifting into 5th.
40mph is 5th is way to slow. It really bogs down when accelerating. 55+ for me when shifting into 5th.
I agree, but that is what ford states in the manual, for BEST fuel economy
#5
I shift into 5th at 35 when i am cruising to save gas. I dont mind downshifting if I need to. If I am driving spiritedly (if thats a word) Then I shift into fifth at about 60 or 70. If I am going all out then I dont know what fifth is until about 110.
#8
You know, I actually tried shifting with my automatic a few nights ago, exactly as ford says.
WOW, Shift from 1st to 2nd at 9MPH?! That is almost impossible for me...I usually do:
1-2: 15-20mph
2-3: 30-40mph
3-4: 45-55mph
^^Thats normal driving. When Im doing spirited driving, its usually:
1-2: 25-30mph
2-3: 45-50mph
3-4: 60-70mph
WOW, Shift from 1st to 2nd at 9MPH?! That is almost impossible for me...I usually do:
1-2: 15-20mph
2-3: 30-40mph
3-4: 45-55mph
^^Thats normal driving. When Im doing spirited driving, its usually:
1-2: 25-30mph
2-3: 45-50mph
3-4: 60-70mph
#9
Originally posted by SurfnSoCal@August 29, 2005, 12:23 PM
1 0-30mph
2 30-45
3 45-60
4 60-80
5 80+
you will win easier this way.
1 0-30mph
2 30-45
3 45-60
4 60-80
5 80+
you will win easier this way.
#10
Originally posted by softbatch@August 29, 2005, 12:01 PM
I shift into 5th at 35 when i am cruising to save gas. I dont mind downshifting if I need to. If I am driving spiritedly (if thats a word) Then I shift into fifth at about 60 or 70. If I am going all out then I dont know what fifth is until about 110.
I shift into 5th at 35 when i am cruising to save gas. I dont mind downshifting if I need to. If I am driving spiritedly (if thats a word) Then I shift into fifth at about 60 or 70. If I am going all out then I dont know what fifth is until about 110.
1 0-10mph
2 10-20
3 20-30
4 30-40
5 40+
That's OPTIMUM. OPTIMUM meaning you shift to late or too early your gas mileage won't be as good.
#11
I find that the power increases dramatically above 2200 rpm, so I gauge my shifts around 3k when I'm just having fun (not racing). If I'm trying to save gas (then I should be driving something else!), I'll shift around 2k rpm, but the engine might as well be a 4-banger, since that's the kind of power I get.
Now, if I want to chirp third gear....
Now, if I want to chirp third gear....
#12
Originally posted by Dusty1@August 29, 2005, 2:28 PM
I find that the power increases dramatically above 2200 rpm, so I gauge my shifts around 3k when I'm just having fun (not racing). If I'm trying to save gas (then I should be driving something else!), I'll shift around 2k rpm, but the engine might as well be a 4-banger, since that's the kind of power I get.
Now, if I want to chirp third gear....
I find that the power increases dramatically above 2200 rpm, so I gauge my shifts around 3k when I'm just having fun (not racing). If I'm trying to save gas (then I should be driving something else!), I'll shift around 2k rpm, but the engine might as well be a 4-banger, since that's the kind of power I get.
Now, if I want to chirp third gear....
I just broke 6000 miles on the car. I do probably 35% interstate, 35% rural highway, and the remainder in town. I always shift into 5th as soon as possible 40-45mph and downshift if needed to accelerate. Most speed limits in town are 45. My mpg according to the computer for the last 2 tankfuls [approx 600 miles] is 23.4. I will take that anyday.
#15
I've started shifting at 2500, any lowerer and it seems to bog a little in the next gear.
I do "skip shift" a lot though. I'll wind it out in first, then just go to fourth, or second to fifth. It's just too much fun to putter around all the time, she has to let those Bassani's breath once in a while.
FYI: 100% city stop and go driving, I'm getting 16.6 mpg with 2200 miles on the clock.
I do "skip shift" a lot though. I'll wind it out in first, then just go to fourth, or second to fifth. It's just too much fun to putter around all the time, she has to let those Bassani's breath once in a while.
FYI: 100% city stop and go driving, I'm getting 16.6 mpg with 2200 miles on the clock.
#16
Originally posted by Sonic05@August 29, 2005, 5:51 PM
I've started shifting at 2500, any lowerer and it seems to bog a little in the next gear.
I do "skip shift" a lot though. I'll wind it out in first, then just go to fourth, or second to fifth. It's just too much fun to putter around all the time, she has to let those Bassani's breath once in a while.
FYI: 100% city stop and go driving, I'm getting 16.6 mpg with 2200 miles on the clock.
I've started shifting at 2500, any lowerer and it seems to bog a little in the next gear.
I do "skip shift" a lot though. I'll wind it out in first, then just go to fourth, or second to fifth. It's just too much fun to putter around all the time, she has to let those Bassani's breath once in a while.
FYI: 100% city stop and go driving, I'm getting 16.6 mpg with 2200 miles on the clock.
#18
Originally posted by tw0scoops123@August 29, 2005, 2:59 PM
Shifting into 5th at 35 probably hurts your gas mileage. In the book they said:
1 0-10mph
2 10-20
3 20-30
4 30-40
5 40+
That's OPTIMUM. OPTIMUM meaning you shift to late or too early your gas mileage won't be as good.
Shifting into 5th at 35 probably hurts your gas mileage. In the book they said:
1 0-10mph
2 10-20
3 20-30
4 30-40
5 40+
That's OPTIMUM. OPTIMUM meaning you shift to late or too early your gas mileage won't be as good.
Normal (slow) driving for me in traffic is usually:
1st: 0 to 15
2nd: 15 to 20
3rd: 20 to 25
4th: 25 to 30
5th: 30+ (note: getting on the highway from 30mph in 5th feels like you're driving a 2cyl car Very smooth but very, um, slow... be careful once you get going cause she'll take off if you aren't paying attention.)
Casual Spirited driving usually
1st: 0 to 25
2nd: 25 to 40
3rd: 40 to 60
4th: 60 to 70
5th: 70+ (on the highway)
Aggressive Spirited driving
1st: 0 to 30
2nd: 30 to 50
3rd: 50 to 75
4th: 75 to 76
5th: 76 to 70/80 (highway speeds)
Aggressive driving (or racing)
1st: 0 to 40
2nd: 40 to 70
3rd: 70 to ???
4th: 100?
5th: ??? I haven't taken her up that high yet.
#19
I "efficiently" got to 100 today...efficient time-wise that is. On the way to work I decided to "romp on it" a bit and as I watched the tach climb past 55K in 4th, I looked over at the speed and decided 100 (or close to it) was good enough for now.
I love this car!
In normal "trying to be efficient" driving, when I shift by ear, by the time I get thru every gear I'm past 60.
I love this car!
In normal "trying to be efficient" driving, when I shift by ear, by the time I get thru every gear I'm past 60.
#20
I just broke 6000 miles on the car. I do probably 35% interstate, 35% rural highway, and the remainder in town. I always shift into 5th as soon as possible 40-45mph and downshift if needed to accelerate. Most speed limits in town are 45. My mpg according to the computer for the last 2 tankfuls [approx 600 miles] is 23.4. I will take that anyday.
I feel it necessary to shift at 2500 for a clean shift, without dipping into a great amount of power. 3000 if I want to get some more punch. I'm not heavy on the revs, for the most part.
I think I have a similar mix, except i have 1/3 suburban rather than rural highway, and I'm lucky to get 17.5.
Is there any harm that can come to car by shifting at too low an rpm? Is there an excess strain on the transmission.....maybe the pressure plate?