This thread seems to be all MCS,have not read every thread.
In my MC when cruising on the highway at 65-70 mph in 5th,all we got,I'm turning 3100-3200 rpm.Mostly getting 35+mpg.
I tend to up shift at 2500-3000 rpm out of first,then 3500-4500 for everything else.Rev match any downshift over 2500,never go below 2000 rpm when down shifting.
I like having the engine pulling all the time,******* it feels bad,and if you need to move up quick,not having to downshift makes the car and you,more able to respond to things.
On ice,at launch,I do tend to shortshift to avoid to much wheel spin,ASC cutting in to much,better steering control.
Many years ago,like 25 or so,BMW did a test of best MPG in city driving.They found that if you get to the urban speed limit as quick as possible,with out being an idiot,no burn outs,redling it kind of driving,MPG was better than shortshifting and ******* it up to speed.

 

Well, answering the question of the thread I'd have to answer:

Since I joined in May of 2002 I should be in sixth gear. But I've been doggin it and I'm still in fifth. But then again, I do own an MC!

 

Hence the reason I downshift before the need to accelerate.

 

Choosing a gear on the street for me comes down to priorities:

1. Safety. I always keep the revs above 2500rpm so I will have thottle available if I need to quickly accelerate to avoid something (I have had to do this several times driving in the city, 5th gear would have left me powerless and would have hit something)
2. Economy. I try to keep the revs between 2500 and 3500, which gives the best fuel economy while still providing quick power if needed.
3. Engine braking. By keeping the revs above 2500rpm, I can manage the speed of the car with the thottle, not the brakes, while crusiing. This really cuts down on brake wear. On my 2002, I did 10 tracks days and 36000 miles before needing front pads. While I do not excessivly downshift (harder on the clutch, which is more expensive than brakes), keeping the revs up a bit allows for engine braking. The added bonus with the 05 or aftermarket exhaust is hearing the tone when you let off!

Flying and driving are the same: be alert and plan ahead and you will arrive home safe!

Aaron

 

Of course - this is common sense! Remember it's not just what RPM you're at it's also how far you're pushing the gas pedal. When you accelerate in a higher gear at low RPMs, you need to push the pedal (i.e. use a lot more gas) to accelerate. For example, turning 4.5k RPMs in 2nd will require a light touch of the pedal to accelerate while going at the same speed in 4th gear turning 2k RPMs will require considerably more gas (maybe pedal down half way) to accelerate. Add to that the fact that you'll accelerate faster in 2nd and get to cruising speed faster and you'll see this method easily gets you better fuel economy.

 

Not everyone has the sense to be common
Does not mean boring

 

This is true up to a certain degree on the MINI. Remember the MINI's A/F ratio falls off a cliff around 4500 rpm so constantly shifting at 5 or 6k rpm will kill mileage. Accelerating fairly hard to 3.5 or 4k rpm is probably the best for economy. If your at an onramp for the freeway, then revving to 5k might be good but not for stoplight to stoplight driving. My normal shifting is anywhere between 2.5 and ~4k rpm when I'm not pushing it. BTW, I average 32-33 mpg daily and have a 1 tank high of 37 mpg doing 75-85 mph on the highway.

My other car is a Honda Insight so the floor it to redline method actually does help mileage because your using max electric assist. I'm not sure how much (if any) it helps a car that only runs off the ICE. Even in the Insight, it really isn't worth it because you drain the battery fairly quickly doing this so it's really only good for the onramp.

 

Yep, but I think myself and others here are talking about constant steady slow speeds without big changes in MPH with the need of accelleration. Otherwise what you're saying is pretty convincing. I always downshift to accellerate, never would I strain the engine with heavy acceleration from 30MPH in 5th...

 

It's hard to say how this translate to actual mpg, but i agree....6th would be too "tall" for me! I'd be in 5th

 

I say,and this is only me talking,mid range revs will get you the best mpg in the city,then once you are cruising,lower revs will keep mpg up.
If your on the track,keep your foot in it,revs bouncing,and keep your brakes warm

 

I shifted into 6th at 99 mph today. Every now and then the thing just wants to haul ***!

Back on subject. I try to keep the revs at about 2500 when just cruising. I don't let it go below 2000 or above 3000 if I'm not accelerating or idling. That being said, each 10 number correlates nicely with each gear. Such as 0-20 for 1st, 20-30 for 2nd and so on. There's overlap of course but that works out nicely and is usually what I tell people who drive my car who aren't used to driving a stick.

Oh and BTW, I once tested how fast I could go in 1st before red line. I think it'll do about 45 mph.

 

Well I was busy at the time,but I think I was close to that mph when it bounced

 

Ditto, minihune!

Clover

 

Ever driven with a European? At $4+ a gallon, they short shift like mad! One friend is in 4th gear at 25mph...
For me, I stick with the 2K standard - these are four bangers, not V8s!