Where do you shift?

[Igovert500]

Ha, I forgot the best/most frustrating part of the first day in my vr4. So this was the first 6spd I'd ever sat in...let alone driven. So all was good until I went to get the pictures taken for insurance. I then had to back up out of the parking spot for the first time..........how the hell do you get this in reverse. I swear I started and stalled it 6 or 7 times in 6th gear looking for reverse before I finally figured it out. I was on the brink of going back into the shop and asking for help. But being that my girlfriend was there and I had my ego to salvage...I had to try an 8th time...and apparently the 8th time was the charm.

[PearlGT]

driving stick is hard at first, i try to relate it to driving a dirtbike (i used to when i was young) clutch in to start, make sure the clutch is ALL the way in when you shift as to avoid grinding etc etc. My first stick experience was with a 95 eclipse, i shifted from 1-2 fine 2-3 ok and then i come to a stop sign... stall, oops gotta remember the clutch. You'll get it, for some reason eventually whether you drive manual transmission constantly or not, you will get the understanding with age.

[alan92rttt]

As someone else mentioned you want to shift jsut after your peak HP. the longer after that point you wait the more HP you loose.

On the TT cars(stock) that posint is in the 6800-6900 range. A more modded car will peak higher and thus you'd need to figure out where the peak is and use that as a guide.

[sLADe781]

Originally Posted by alan92rttt

As someone else mentioned you want to shift jsut after your peak HP. the longer after that point you wait the more HP you loose.

On the TT cars(stock) that posint is in the 6800-6900 range. A more modded car will peak higher and thus you'd need to figure out where the peak is and use that as a guide.

Is that for racing only or for daily driving as well? Where should we shift if we want to save gas (assuming there's such a thing)? Hehe

[Musashi3000GT]

to save gas shift low, like 2500 would be the lowest I would shift, any lower and the gear might not catch smoothly, regular driving I shift at 2800-3000 rpms and the 6500-6900 is strictly for racing, or for when you forgot to get your girlfriend flowers on your aniversary or something, and she will be home in five minutes and the flower store is like 10 blocks down the street.

[alan92rttt]

when I'm crusing I normally shift in the 3000-3500 range. (might be different with a 6 spd). THe key to saving gas is to keep the RPM's low while crusing. 6's are better for milage. If you want milage:
keep off the gas.
use the cruise control.
turn the AC off if you don't really need it.
keep the rpm's as low as possiable(min 2200~)

I got 25mpg with the TT on the way to the NG and thats with the AC on and I'm still running rich from a untunes AFC.

[Igovert500]

If i wanna save gas I shift at 1800rpms, every gear will enagage fine and drive if you shift just before 2000, I suggest shifting lower and lower until you find your 'sweet spot' where you can shift without stalling/bucking/bogging. If I am low on gas/trying to conserve, I literally shift at 2k or lower, I haven't found a need to take it to 2200 or 3000.

Slade..that is for racing...for daily driving...you don't want to continualy take your car to redline.

[thre3kgt811]

Originally Posted by Igovert500

If i wanna save gas I shift at 1800rpms, every gear will enagage fine and drive if you shift just before 2000, I suggest shifting lower and lower until you find your 'sweet spot' where you can shift without stalling/bucking/bogging. If I am low on gas/trying to conserve, I literally shift at 2k or lower, I haven't found a need to take it to 2200 or 3000.

Slade..that is for racing...for daily driving...you don't want to continualy take your car to redline.

you can really shift that low?? i dont like to bring my car really below 1800 rpms because then ur in 3rd gear going like, 15 mph and if ur hittin the gas hard even the littlest bit its not too good for ur tranny, especially if u mash it down in that high a gear at that low a rpm..so basically i shift so after i do my rpms are back around 2200 or so

[Igovert500]

Typically I shift at 2500 for daily driving, under 2000 is only when I'm on my last 1/4 tank and the fuel light comes on for the first time, I shift that low, but I don't mash the gas if I am doing that. I just cruise really slow.
If I am feeling like going a bit quicker I shift at 5k, and if I'm racing I take it to right around redline.

[racer6]

when going up hill hold your emergencey brake on and give gas and to just get moving out of first well... thats just something you have to practice .... you must be syncronized

[sLADe781]

Originally Posted by Musashi3000GT

...the 6500-6900 is strictly for racing, or for when you forgot to get your girlfriend flowers on your aniversary or something, and she will be home in five minutes and the flower store is like 10 blocks down the street.

LOL Good to know I'm not the only. Hehe I spilled water mixed with rose food (don't know what it's called) all over my sister's Eclipse trying to make it back to my gf's apartment on time on our anniversary.

[Xtreme_098]

[quote=The1NamedMarc]Yea, just keep practicing. On hills, I used to hold the brake in while letting the clutch out slowly. Then when I felt it was catching, I'd let go of the brake and give some gas. (While still letting the clutch out slowly) It all just takes time and practice. You should have it within a few weeks. QUOTE]


Yea a lot of people do that, hold the e-brake until it catches then let it off and go.