High RPMs at low speeds - 2011 GT
GTR Member
Joined: February 18, 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 1
From: S.E. Texas
Member
Joined: August 18, 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
why? does it mess up the transmission? my current manual, a 1995 maxima (granted the trannies and stuff are completely differnt) doesnt complain if i start it in second the same way. and i'd figure having double the power and torude would make it easier?
GTR Member
Joined: February 18, 2010
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 1
From: S.E. Texas
Later on after driving a manual tranny becomes second nature then you can experiment.
Member
Joined: August 18, 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
fair enough. i remember learning how to drive a stick. of course my father took me to a steep hill after we got going on my first go at it, and i stalled it about 4 times after hitting the only stop light on the street.
GT Member
Joined: February 4, 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Roxboro, NC
My dad did the same thing! I felt bad for the clutch that day. Once you learn how to start on a steep hill, the rest is cake.
V6 Member
Joined: April 9, 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
What I have noticed is that at low speeds, in traffic, the car seems very uncomfortable unless I shift quite early to the highest gears. The RPMs are higher than I'd expect, making me wonder if the engine is working too hard. For instance, say I'm at 40 MPH in 4th gear - the RPMs tend to be between 2,500 and 3,000, making me feel like I need to shift to 5th.
Even at 50 MPH in 5th, the RPMs are well above 2,000, and I find I have to shift to 6th. Typically, in
6th gear, the RPMs fall back to just below 2,000 but by the time I'm up to 60, RPMs are climbing back toward 3,000. Makes me wonder what the RPMs would be at 70 or 80 if I ever get the chance to go that fast. There's no 7th gear, obviously.
Is this normal? I'd like the engine to be under less strain in normal driving. I think it's a bit strange to be driving in 6th gear at 45 MPH, though I know other posters here have said they do this. If I have a complaint about the car, it's that it never seems really comfortable in 3rd and 4th gear, even at speeds I feel are appropriate for those gears. I'm doing a heck of a lot more shifting than I'd like to do (I have a 10-mile commute and in that commute face 10 traffic lights - yes - it's hell.
Even at 50 MPH in 5th, the RPMs are well above 2,000, and I find I have to shift to 6th. Typically, in
6th gear, the RPMs fall back to just below 2,000 but by the time I'm up to 60, RPMs are climbing back toward 3,000. Makes me wonder what the RPMs would be at 70 or 80 if I ever get the chance to go that fast. There's no 7th gear, obviously.
Is this normal? I'd like the engine to be under less strain in normal driving. I think it's a bit strange to be driving in 6th gear at 45 MPH, though I know other posters here have said they do this. If I have a complaint about the car, it's that it never seems really comfortable in 3rd and 4th gear, even at speeds I feel are appropriate for those gears. I'm doing a heck of a lot more shifting than I'd like to do (I have a 10-mile commute and in that commute face 10 traffic lights - yes - it's hell.
If you think the car feels uncomfortable at those RPM's, be careful over 4,000!
Just remember, Ford puts you in fourth at 20mph. I am in 6th at around 43mph with the 3.55's. I usually jump around shifting - I'll go from 1 to 3 to 5 or 6, or if rolling slightly, 2 to 4 to 6. I rarely go through all the gears under normal acceleration.
Bullitt Member
Joined: January 24, 2010
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: fredneck county, MD
There is no reason to not shift to a higher gear unless you're going to lug it going uphill. What I consider lugging is when the motor and trans start making that low tone kind of growling noise that goes away as a higher rpm is reached, it could happen on straight surfaces but mostly is seen going uphill. Shifting a lot is a by-product of having a 6-speed, everybody wanted a 6-speed and now it's there. If it were still a 5-speed there would be more spacing between the ratios and you could stay in each gear longer.
I skip gears and have started in 2nd when on a slight downhill (3.73 rear gear), those of you who are starting with this as a first manual should learn to drive correctly right away and not pick up bad habits, you're clutch will last much longer.
Another factor in making this car "clunky" to drive around slow is the combo of power and gear ratios. When you let off the gas in the lower gears, even 5th, the car will decelerate. Unless you are smooth with the rev-matching, downshifting will make the shifting feel "clunky", the better the driver the smoother you'll be so practice.
I skip gears and have started in 2nd when on a slight downhill (3.73 rear gear), those of you who are starting with this as a first manual should learn to drive correctly right away and not pick up bad habits, you're clutch will last much longer.
Another factor in making this car "clunky" to drive around slow is the combo of power and gear ratios. When you let off the gas in the lower gears, even 5th, the car will decelerate. Unless you are smooth with the rev-matching, downshifting will make the shifting feel "clunky", the better the driver the smoother you'll be so practice.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
BavarianStang
Ford Discussions
0
Sep 5, 2015 05:55 AM