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?

1 0-10mph
2 10-20
3 20-30
4 30-40
5 40+

That is what FORD says

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

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.

Thats what Ford Recommends for the BEST FUEL ECONOMY! Doesn't matter when or how u shift, it depends on the driver and how much faster he wants to go!

1 0-30mph
2 30-45
3 45-60
4 60-80
5 80+

you will win easier this way. :-D

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

I don't tihnk you should be in third gear until 60 or 70, otherwise you lsoe power....if you're racing of course.

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.

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.... :jester:

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 really have no idea what I shift at anymore, it is all done by "ear" now.

I just shift around 2k, or by feel and by ear. :drive:

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. :drool:

FYI: 100% city stop and go driving, I'm getting 16.6 mpg with 2200 miles on the clock.

I've found myself "skip-shifting" from 3rd to 5th. I'm getting about 18.5 commuting back roads to work. It's just too much fun to shift as low as 2k. However, when oil goes over $80 a barrel.... :shame:

I was wondering how long before someone brought up 'skip shifting'. I've been doing that quite a bit too. I can justify running up the rpm's in third by skipping a gear :-D

If I'm driving surface streets late at night (read 35mph zones no stopping) in 5th gear I'm getting about 35mpg at 30-35mph and 34.5mpg at 36-42mph. While you're in gear, with little load on the engine (i.e. just keeping speed) you'll get your best mileage in high gear at low speed, just based on how much work the engine is doing.
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 :jester: 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.

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. :-D

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.

This is great mileage you are getting. I don't see how we can shift the car to 5th at 40-45. I think it bogs down too much, even at 50 on flat ground. What is the rpm, that you are shifting at?

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?