hi! i just bought a MSC and this is my first time driving a stick and i'm starting to get the hang of it. i would like to get some recommendations from you guys about the speed for each gear, like when should i shift up. thanks

 

Hey isykal,

Welcome to the site,
Although I have the CVT, I have had cars before with stick shift, and I always can just listen to the sound of the engine and the feel of the engine. With experience you will learn that, then you won't need to look at the tach. I usually have not winded the gears out, and have shifted at 2,000 to 3,000 rpms in each gear, but I'm sure many here will tell you to really wind it out and have more fun. I drove a stick MC of my nephews and wound it out a little and yes it was fun, i.e., maybe 3,000-4,000 rpms or more. If you want your engine to last a really really very long time, then keeping the rpms below 3,000 or 4,000 is best. Otherwise wind it out and have fun. Of course, break it in first.

 

you want to be cruising around 2200rpm area. if you drop below 2000rpm,
downshift to the next lower gear. if you're cruising over 2400rpm, shift up
(unless you're already in 6th :smile:
i get about 28.5-30mpg with pretty quick driving.

unless you're trying to out race someone, you should try to accelerate
under 3500rpm to maintain best fuel milage.

 

isykal,

For basic info on driving standard read
http://www.10w40.com/individual/100186.asp

Under changing gears it reads-
"At what speed should you shift to second? It depends on the car, but in general each gear has a good range:
First from 0 to 15 MPH tops
Second 3 to 25 MPH
Third 15 to 45 MPH
Fourth 30 to 65 MPH
Fifth 45 to ??? MPH
Usually you shift up when you are at the halfway to 3/4 point between the two extremes. First gear is really only to get you going. In fact, it is very easy to start the car in second gear - although don't try this until you get a good handle on the whole process as it is tougher on the disk plates."
----------
So there is a range of speeds where it is OK to shift to the next higher or lower gear.
Keep in mind that for the MCS there is more power (torque) generated in the 3500-6500 rpm range than in the less than 3500 rpm range.

 

thanks guys! i really appreciate your help.

 

awhile back I asked about shift points for JCW....https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mp;topic=21440

one of the posters has really high shift points (and I bet his mileage is pretty low )

This isn't limited to just JCW, since the MCS uses the identical transmission.

I usually cruise in the top three gears, and I'm cruising in 6th by 50MPH
2nd gear redlines about 70, so when you're on the highway you can downshift to 3rd for max acceleration, but just going up a grade, no way, stay in 6th
of course you don't NEED to drop a gear - but we all know you WANT to drop a gear or two or three!


Gear, MPH at 6950RPM
1st - 44
2nd - 70
3rd - 93
4th - 114
5th - 137*
6th - 168*
*if you have the speed limiter removed; Read: aftermarket ECU