How high to rev before shifting in each gear?

zeeder

The redline is there for a reason. In cars like ours you don't get into the meat of the power band until 5k+ RPM. That said, if you drive it hard all the time you should shorten your maintenance windows and things will wear out sooner.

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Zack
FI catback, HFC, and Start Button - Z1 Intake - Nismo S-Tune Spoiler - PasswordJDM V2 Shift Knob

eurojjj19

I dont plan on driving it like i stole it all the time. But everyone likes to open it up once in a while. So can you, or anyone else, give me a rough estimate of max MPH for each gear (ie. what NOT to go over, if such numbers exist). I dont plan on coming close to those ranges, i just want to know for informations sake.

The reason all of these questions sound so noobish is because my first manual was a 94 Civic and it did NOT have a tachometer, so i had to base everything off of mph and engine sound. So im now trying to wrap my head around RPM being the main gauge of when to shift. So, sorry for the simplistic questions, but i am learning.

speedfreek

I like to keep it in 1st so I don't wear out my clutch with all those shifts.

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DIGItonium

It's in the owner's manual.

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eurojjj19

I did see those numbers in the manual, they are:

1st to 2nd - 15mph
2nd to 3rd - 25 mph
3rd to 4th - 40 mph
4th to 5th - 45 mph
5th to 6th - 50 mph

But i couldnt wrap my head around the point of having to shift in 5mph increments (4-->5-->6). That just seems to make 4th and 5th gear pretty worhtless imo. Im not trying to argue, just explaining my thought process.

mults

For daily driving, I usually shift in the 2500-3000 range. However, after driving sticks for 40 years, I am one who listens to the sound of the exhaust and use that as my shift points. As others have said, it all depends WHAT type of driving you are experiencing or that will determine where YOUR shifting will occur.

It takes a while, but before you know it, you will be shifting automatically without the use of shift lights, RPM's or other means.

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Build Date/Number: 1/27/2010 #706
Berk HFC + CBE, R2C CAI, Clear Bra, Cleveland Z Club[/COLOR]

kfull

I drive in 6th gear all the time so I don't have to shift

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onzedge

That's smart!!! I had not considered that option. I'm going to give it a shot.

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mults

This is a guide probably written to achieve the best fuel economy for normal driving. Sometimes, I bypass 3rd , 4th or even 5th depending on the type of driving. Like I said in an earlier post, shifting habits will become second nature as you get more familiar with the transmission and your own driving style.

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40th Anniversary 'Z', 312.06HP/260.58TQ (Dynosty EcuTek Tune)
Build Date/Number: 1/27/2010 #706
Berk HFC + CBE, R2C CAI, Clear Bra, Cleveland Z Club[/COLOR]

DIGItonium

If you read the next paragraph it'll list the maximum speed for the first 3 gears 38, 63, and 91 MPH consecutively. It doesn't elaborate beyond that, but there are other resources out there.

The manual transmission in this car is not rocket science. What I tell people is that you'll be fine as long as the wheels are still moving while you're in gear. Plus, you'll know it when the engine wants to bog and die. As with any other car, there's a reason why the gauge has a redline indicator and fuel cutoff if you attempt to be in that region. Again, the owner's manual offers some suggestions.

After awhile it all becomes second nature.

Again, avoid the money shift.

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kenchan

does your thought process include driving on appropriate tires in winter in your cold state? just wondering.

Troyz

My shifting points are...

1st to 2nd - 43 mph
2nd to 3rd - 74 mph
3rd to 4th - 104 mph
4th to 5th - 124 mph
5th to 6th - 159 mph

But i couldn't wrap my head around the point of having to shift in 25-30mph increments (4-->5-->6). That just seems to make 6th gear pretty worthless imho. I'm not trying to argue, just explaining my thought process.

Firebase99

I pretty much ignore 4 and 5, 3rd to sixth for me. Hell, i hink i do away with 3rd too often as I think about it. Fawking traffic.

RoadsterST

Everything is still based off feel and sound. Drive the car more and you will find the sweet spots for both city and frisky driving. Shifting down above the rpm range for a specified gear is really the only way to damage anything. Even though the car has a blinky shift light, the computer still shuts the car down at 8k so over rev is not as much of a concern.

Just drive it. There are NO magic numbers or recomended ranges. Its all ears and feel.

luigi90210

if i remember correctly these are the max MPH for every gear

1st 42mph
2nd 67mph
3rd 95mph
4th 122mph
5th 155mph(electronic limiter and gearing limit)
6th 160mph(mfr drag limit claim without electronic limiter)

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