Since I haven't driven a manual for several years, I'm still learning exactly when to shift on my new 06 MC.

I saw something somewhere about a shift light kit (I think made by JCW) that sits on top of the dash.

Does anyone know anything about this or any other options for shift lights or indicators? Sometimes when playing music I can't hear the engine roar & could use a little reminder to shift into next gear!

 

I haven't seen this kit, but why not use your tach?

 

sometimes while you are turning you can't see the tach completely.

i doubt a tach is necessary on these cars as spool is so darn slow anyways
unless you're running an aftermarket turbo kit or something.

i don't even look at my tach these days unless im cruising to see my
speed (i don't look at the speedo either as I know how fast im going
in which gear at wat rpm). i can just feel when i need to shift up.

 

Wow!!! I use my tach almost as much as I use my speedo. Of course the last auto tran that I had was in 1973.

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/09/...hift_indicator

I hope this helps you out.

 

I've seen it for sale on Ebay from a dealer.


Not much help but....

 

:0)
i've seen this bit by JCW's, it seems out of place to me like it does not flow w/interior! but does the job i would assume.

 

OK, here's a dumb question. How do you judge when to shift by reading the tach? How many revs before shifting to next gear...and is it the same for each gear (sorry for the really ignorant question...I usually just go by the sound the engine!).

On a somewhat related note, I thought I read that you should not put the gear in neutral when coasting. For example, if I'm going say 40mph, & there's a red light ahead, I would just shift into neutral & then brake as I got closer. Should I really be downshifting each time?

 

i usually wait till right under 4k to shift but it depends on how quick i want to get up to speed....& style of drivin'

i down shift to a stop..hard on the clutch & tranny though or mayb not, im sure u will get sum very interesting' replies on this subject
*So stay tuned!!

 

OK, this is what I found on Mini Mania (thanks to above post).

Looks huge! Don't know how it gets the RPM reading from the cig lighter either. Anyone have one of these? How does the main unit fit in the glove box?

GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHTS

It has the following great features: Quick and Easy Connection. - Just plug into the car cigarette lighter socket and the unit is ready to run. No wiring or soldering required. - Both electric power and RPM reading are sourced through the 12V cigarette lighter socket. Works with both manual and automatic transmissions. Easy setup with RPM range for optimum shift points. - User can preset the desired rpm range for the lights to come on sequentially or at the same time for optimum shift points. Brightness can also be adjusted as desired. Light Unit can be mounted in easy to see position without blocking the view. Backlit main unit can be hidden inside of glove box and still provides accessible adjustment. Main Unit Dimension: 8.8cm x 6.4cm x 2.4cm Light Unit Dimension: 5.6cm x 3.1cm x 1.4cm (excluding mount

 

!?!?"huge" !?!?!?
wow what kinda monster is this?
minimania huh?

 

OK upshifting depends on a couple of things:

• The price of Gas
• Am I looking for performance or Gas Mileage
• The price of Gas
• The proximity to my next paycheck

Normally it is around 4K-4500

Downshifting is another subject. Normally I don't downshift because of the following reasons:

• The price of Gas
• Am I looking for performance or Gas Mileage
• The price of Gas
• The proximity to my next paycheck
  

When slowing down shifting into neutral allows the engine to slow, but is not the safest thing to do. What were to happen if you suddenly needed to accelerate? Reaction time would be that much longer as you found the right gear, then hit the throttle. In some places this is Illegal for that reason. I slip into neutral and coast though.

If you need MAX performance Then yes you should be downshifting each time.

 

Nice DrDiff!

 

When decelerating I do two different things. They depend on my mood mostly. The first one is depressing the clutch and then with the clutch still depressed, brake and move the shifter into a gear as i slow down. For example if i am cruising in fifth gear and the light turns red, i will press the clutch in then coordinating with my rate of deceleration I will put it into the appropriate gear for the appropriate speed. So from fifth i go to fourth, then third then second then first then to neutrak when i am at a stop. The second method is engine braking or downshifting to slow down, i usually do this when I am driving spiritadly!
Hope this helps,
Ben

 

This has been discussed before and, in general, its bad to use the transmission to slow down (if thats what your doing), use the brakes. Brakes are for braking and are a lot cheaper than a new transmission. Its also better to leave the car in neutral at lights or stuck in traffic (so they say)

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/09/...hift_indicator

 

another argument for avoiding downshifting excessively is that brake pads and rotors are a lot cheaper to have installed than clutches.


But back to the original question: As you get comfortable with the MINI's transmission, you will find that you shift not based on even the tach but on the feel/sound of your engine. You'll find that sweet spot that you like and it will become automatic.

 

__________________________________________________ _______________________

 

Ya Autologic, I saw that kit from JCW. But the article said it would be at the dealers in weeks (that was back in September) & my MA said he hadn't heard about it. So I'm wondering where it can be ordered (I like a bunch of lights!).

Thanks to everyone for the responses...it helps me get a better feel for how to drive manual the right way. More posts are welcome.

 

What I want is a shift buzzer. While autocrossing, sure I can hear the engine, but I'd love some audible tone when I hit 6700 RPM or so.

However, the shift lights look nice - but would the steering wheel obstruct your vision of them?

 

In my limited experience driving an MCS (I've only actually driven one 1x) and from talking to a friend of mine about his I found that the MCS likes to be wound up. It has a lot more power at higher revs. What are your experienences?

 

if not driven this way it really does not know how to act :o)

 

Down shifting is good on ice. Your tires will not lock up with the engine still turning them.

Down shifting is good on long downward hills (mountain) since this will releave some strain on your breaks and they will be less likely to overheat and fail.

Most DFI systems are set up not to use gas while engine breaking so fuel consuption is a non issue.

I too also shift down the gears when I'm just using breaks. This keeps you ready to accelerate when you need it.

Up shift early when going down hill (short shifiting) will save you gas. I go by the sound most of the time otherwise. You will hear the point when the engine starts to "balance out" with the speed. You want to shift right before that point to save on gas.

 

Hmmm...

I have always heard the opposite than most are posting here. I heard that holding in the clutch will place unnecessary wear on the throw out bearing (most likely to fail) and that it is better to downshift to slow down when possible. This was told to me by a master mechanic and friend. I had a Ford Escort that had nearly 100,000 miles on it before I needed the clutch serviced by driving like this.

As for using your tach, you should be monitoring it anyway. There is always a learning curve in a new car and I am finding that I can start at about 1000 rpms (maybe a little higher) and then shift by feel of the car. However, I monitor the tach to ensure that I am not nearing redline during hard runs. Once you figure out where the sweet spot for each gear is, the rest is downhill!

Indicators are nice, but once you figure it out, it will be obsolete and a waste of money.

 

To me there isn't a "right" RPM to shift at (unless RPMs are too low), but doesn't it depend on how quick you want to accelerate?