Alright here goes. I am relatively inexperience with Manual transmision. I am even less experience with a manual six speed performance car.

I would like to know what are the appropriate rev ranges for daily driving.

I normally drive something like this:

1st gear: ~0-15mph
2nd gear: ~ 15-35mph
3rd gear: ~ 35-45mph
4th gear: ~ 45-55mph
5th gear: ~ 55-75mph
6th gear: ~ 75+mph

At whatever speed I am maintaining, I usually try to run between 3,000-3,500rpm

Does this sound right? I am interested in looking for whatever rev range is most appropriate for in town motoring. I do like to drive a little on the spirted side. :smile:

 

Woooo, that's way under. I usually hit 70 mph in either 2nd or 3rd gear (I've got a 5 speed Cooper).. Try it sometimes, you'll love the acceleration. Shift at 5,000-5,500 at the lower gears and see how fast you're going. Sure, you'll use more gaas, but it's a lot more fun!

 

Yeah, I usually shift at 5,000+. My real question is when I am cruising at any particular speed where should I be keeping my revs.

 

Since the 155 ft lbs of torque only really kicks in around 4000 RPM ,you are definately missing most of the fun in this car.take most gears up to around 5000 ,and you won't believe what fun it is(especially on on ramps getting on to major highways.).I shift from first to second around 35 miles per hour .

 

You can use your tach or speedo because of inexperience, but as you get more comfortable with driving the stick you will learn that the car itself (engine) will tell you when you should shift. It’s a feeling and sound thing. You won’t need to look at the tach to know you’re at redline, the car will tell you. The same with shifting to soon, the car will lug.

 

I still need an answer for what rev range I should be running while cruising at my various in town speeds. For example what rev range do you all shoot for when your motoring at 35mph or 40mph or 45mph.

I tend to try and stay above 3,000 and below 4,000rpm while motoring along any of the various in town speed limits. So I do most of my in town motoring in 3rd gear.

Does this sound right?

 

That's pretty much the range I use. City driving is predominately 3rd gear with occasional shifts into 4th around 45 or so.

What sndwave said is really correct though. Turn the radio/CD off and listen to the engine while you drive. It will tell you when it's in a comfortable rev range. Then make a mental note of the revs.

 

>>I tend to try and stay above 3,000 and below 4,000rpm while motoring along any of the various in town speed limits. So I do most of my in town motoring in 3rd gear.
>>
>>Does this sound right?

yep that's about right. There is a noticeable difference in engine noise and fuel economy when i'm cruising at 70mph and the engine is at 3,000, 3,500, and 4,000 +

Since I've got a 5 speed, my MC in 5th gear is at 3,000 rpms or so at 70mph, in 4th gear it's around 3,500. While it eats up more gas, I prefer to drive in 4th since the revs are higher, it allows me to jump out of harms way or change lanes much quicker.

 

Other than the fact that I would not shift into 2nd at only 15mph, your list of speeds for in-town cruising are about right for economical regular driving.

When I want to seriously accellerate, I shift close to redline and have no problem going over 60mph in 2nd gear. . . .

 

>>>>I tend to try and stay above 3,000 and below 4,000rpm while motoring along any of the various in town speed limits. So I do most of my in town motoring in 3rd gear.
>>>>
>>>>Does this sound right?
>>
>>yep that's about right. There is a noticeable difference in engine noise and fuel economy when i'm cruising at 70mph and the engine is at 3,000, 3,500, and 4,000 +
>>
>>Since I've got a 5 speed, my MC in 5th gear is at 3,000 rpms or so at 70mph, in 4th gear it's around 3,500. While it eats up more gas, I prefer to drive in 4th since the revs are higher, it allows me to jump out of harms way or change lanes much quicker.
>>
>>
>>My MC does those same numbers,I really like a 5 speed,2nd gear if I need/want can get me to 65 mph,at 6000 rpms,now thats fun.4th for responsive 60-75 mph driving
5th gear for the bald a$$ prairie ,and if you don't do the math and the speedo says175+ and it reads up to 240,and you are stuck to the road
:smile: :smile: :smile:

 

Yeah, you're asking about cruising, not being aggressive. It's fun to shift at 5K+ but I certainly don't do it every time.

Generally speaking, I think each gear corresponds with a 10+mph increment. In other words, I shift up a little past the round numbers, with the gear number matching the 10 mph increment..

1st - 0-12mph (I usually try to get out of 1st ASAP)
2nd - 12-high 20's
3rd - high 20'-high 30's
4th - high 30's-high 40's
5th - high 40's-60
6th - 60+

I like to keep the revs in the high 2K range, between 2800 and 3000. That's a little lower than the 3500 you mentioned. It lugs a little under 2500. If I get into the high 3K range, I shift up. (Again, this is driving conservatively in town with moderate traffic.)

I also agree that learning to shift by sound can be a big help. :smile:

 

You should not be looking at the rev. counter in any kind of traffic ,listen to the car,look out the windows

 

I try to stay in the 2,000 rpm range when I'm just cruising. If I try to keep it at 3,000 rpm the car is closer to the torque peak and will take off if I mash it, but the exhaust and intake noise makes me uncomfortable in normal traffic due to fear of law enforcement :smile:

 

>>1st - 0-12mph (I usually try to get out of 1st ASAP)
>>2nd - 12-high 20's
>>3rd - high 20'-high 30's
>>4th - high 30's-high 40's
>>5th - high 40's-60
>>6th - 60+
>>
>>I like to keep the revs in the high 2K range, between 2800 and 3000. That's a little lower than the 3500 you mentioned. It lugs a little under 2500. If I get into the high 3K range, I shift up. (Again, this is driving conservatively in town with moderate traffic.)
>>
>>I also agree that learning to shift by sound can be a big help. :smile:

This is exactly how I drive My Cooper S, when just cruising around town with my 2-yr old in the car, not flying up some canyon. 4th on a 6-speed is good for 35mph city street cruising. If you need to frequently speed up and down, then 3rd for that.

We all know how to drive at or near redline, it's just not practical unless you are 16 and must race at each green light :smile:

 

I try to keep the rev's always above 3000 rpms. Under this and the engine won't pull as strong. First gear I rev to 4000 rpm but after that usually shift at 3500 rpm if I am in traffic and not in a hurry. Even when driving aggressive I usually shift by 6000 rpm and very seldom hit the rev limiter. I do have a 15% pulley, intake and ECU which adds torque. Also, so I don't have to look over at the speedo I have the speeds memorized for 3000 rpm in each gear. :smile:

 

>>I still need an answer for what rev range I should be running while cruising at my various in town speeds. For example what rev range do you all shoot for when your motoring at 35mph or 40mph or 45mph.
>>
>>I tend to try and stay above 3,000 and below 4,000rpm while motoring along any of the various in town speed limits. So I do most of my in town motoring in 3rd gear.
>>
>>Does this sound right?

It really depends what you are about to do at that speed. Will you need to speed up and avoid something? Going up or down a hill? Puttering along by yourself at a constant speed on level ground?

It's not as simple as "what speed for what gear". If you ride a bike, you know when to shift because you are straining (shift down) or your legs are going too fast (shift up).

That's why you have a stick shift and a brain! :smile:

regards,
Red

_________________
Life is better MINImized CWFAC 03

 

The revs you are using 3-4K are JUST fine. Keep it closer to 4 on the taller gears (fifth and sixth)....You are driving sensibly and am sure you know about nailing it once in a while....it is good for it and for your soul. Do not let it drop below 2500 hundred on any gear but first or second, otherwise you will "lug" the engine and induce preignition and all kinds of nasty things can ensue from that........and if your car happens to be Green....sell it....to British Honduras.....

 

>>I try to stay in the 2,000 rpm range when I'm just cruising. If I try to keep it at 3,000 rpm the car is closer to the torque peak and will take off if I mash it, but the exhaust and intake noise makes me uncomfortable in normal traffic due to fear of law enforcement
>>

You an me both, brother. During normal driving, keeping the rpms low (not 6th gear @ 30mph, mind you -) will keep fuel economy up. If you're driving around with your engine above 3,000 to 3,500, you'll just be wasting expensive fuel. My normal cruising is usually done around 2,500 rpm. There is enough torque in that range so that the engine will not lug. Although, I drop a couple of gears if I want to hit it.

Soon enough you'll know the sound of the range where you drive, and you'll stop worrying about revs for normal driving conditions.

-joe


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I think PRO kind of hit on another one of my questions, regarding how low is too low on the rev range. It is good to have a balance between torque and fuel economy. Fuel economy is good but where is the low point in the rev range when the engine starts to suffer undue wear and tear? PRO says not to drop below 2500rpm. Is this the standard school of thought for the MCS? Fortunately it is not one of those awefull BRG jobs.

 

>>I think PRO kind of hit on another one of my questions, regarding how low is too low on the rev range. It is good to have a balance between torque and fuel economy. Fuel economy is good but where is the low point in the rev range when the engine starts to suffer undue wear and tear? PRO says not to drop below 2500rpm. Is this the standard school of thought for the MCS? Fortunately it is not one of those awefull BRG jobs.

If you are on a flat road, not accelerating, stready speed, no load in the car, what is the big deal about going below 2500 rpm?

I don't "lug" engines, but that went out in the 60's with three main bearing 4's.

regards,
Red