TonesMaro99

since were on the subject of saving gas, is it also bad to skip shift/gears while driving.

Zmg00camaross

iTrader: (11)

^^^ thats fine. But I wouldnt lugg the engine, It is hard on the rods. << true story.

Floorman279

iTrader: (11)

yea shift at like 18-2000 and your good.....if you wanna save gas start in second, then go to 4th.......3rd and 4th are fairly close

01 CamaroSS SLP

Like someone already stated its totally different under load. Accelerating and shifting at 1,000 rpms is lugging it and i believe its putting unnecessary stress on the engine. Cruising along is a different story. Using the idle rpm as an example is outrageous

why87

This is correct, at idle the engine has virtually no load. Cruising in high gear at less than 1k rpms is not a good idea. Like stated before i usually run mine in the 1700-2200 rpm range. Also, I skip gears all the time. I always start out in first (easiest on the clutch) but after first ill hit 3rd, then after 3rd ill go 5th.

MRMonster

iTrader: (3)

Why do you say its bad to skip shift? The car's came with that set up from the factory. I don't see its a problem as long as you don't let the rpm dip too low after shifting into a high gear.

nascarnate326

iTrader: (1)

I dont let mine go below 1500 while driving, usually shift at 2000.

How much gas is it worth saving to potentially damage a transmission or motor?

TransAmWS.6

Yeah, I guess the idle RPM example wasn't a great example, not afraid to admit that.

And don't get me wrong, I agree that it is completely pointless and unnecessary to drive the car around like that. I can only imagine how hard you would have to be accelerating in between shifts to even keep up with normal traffic.

However, I do not agree with you all who are saying it can destroy the motor/transmission by driving that way, how can it possibly put anymore strain on the car versus going WOT? I'm not understanding where you all are coming from with that, maybe someone can clarify.

dannyo210

iTrader: (1)

you should rev it up once in a while to clean the carbon buildup out of your exhaust. lol

MRMonster

iTrader: (3)

haha yesss, I am a strong supporter of this,( I like to do a good 1st to 2nd gear pull to clean mine) and when you get pulled over you just say officer I was just cleaning out my exhaust.

Intimidator02SS

I wouldn't drive my manual car at a rpm level that was lower than my idle speed personally but thats what makes us all different.
When speaking of fuel mileage - it's more important to focus on load. There is a balance between RPM's and engne load (simply explained this means throttle position and a more complicated explaination would be MAP value), and you have to find what works best in your combo . For me to putt-putt around town I will shift at 1800 to 2000 which puts me at 1300-1500 cruising around.
If your driving at 25 mph in 5th or 6th gear at 700 rpm you aren't doing any good when it comes to your fuel mileage - unless your not even touching your gas pedal.
It was said earlier in this post by someone else, but you do need to clean it out once every week or two!!

Just make sure to keep checking your mirrors for any vehicle behind you that may be flashing their lights and honking while giving you the finger and you'll be fine. lol

Predator

The lowest rpm range I shift at is 1800-2200 rpms, and the only time I shift at 1800 is if I shifted too soon. I shoot for 2000 rpms, but then again I have 4.11 gears and I get terrible gas mileage, but it just doesn't feel like I'm doing my car any good by shifting at super low rpms. It's just a gut feeling.

z-maro

iTrader: (18)

That was a question, not a statment.

why87

It's possible to make it detonate at low rpm with a high load. You're also stressing the bearings without the providing the proper oil pressure.

Badmeat

iTrader: (1)

I thought running lean causes detonation, not rich.....but anyway...

IDK why topics like this even start. Drive your car normal and keep your foot out of the floor if you want decent MPG's.

It's not rocket science

why87

whoops, there was a duh moment hahaha. you're indeed correct. anyways op, like this guy says ^