all around best RPM for normal driving?

[johnwc723]

i guess i should have found this out when i got my car a year ago:

what really is the optimal RPM for driving our car (to figure in shifting) i have been trying to keep it at about 2k but it looks like our cars may actually operate better around 2.5k-3k? (from what some people say?)

i never actually pay attention to rpms when i shift and i never have, i since i got the car have done it by sound, maybe i need to retrain my self the right shift sound if the "Good rpms" are indeed higher

an intersting sidenote tho i have noticed that at ~60MPH the car hits ~2500 in 5th gear which maybe makes me think thats a good spot, i have noticed on my moms old 88 camry (automatic) that the car is at about 2000 at 65 MPH which is a whole lot different than the accord!

[A20A1]

somewhere close to the 3,000 range.

[shepherd79]

our motors designed between 2K and 4K. that is where they develop best torque. and best gas milage.

[Busted_Blue]

when my car isnt warm, i shift at like 2000 but when warm I drive around 2.5-3. I think keeping it under 3 will get the best mileage especially when cruising at like 45mph in 5th gear.

[smufguy]

I second Alex's comment. THe best rpm to drive around is bwt 2k to 4k, but i dont tend to drive any below 2.5k anymore, just feels weak and found out it takes a lot of gas too. Anyway, warm up the car before you drive tho busted blue, atleast start drving when the needle moves. Saves your motor a lot of headache.

[johnwc723]

wow thats nuts, whoops i have been trying to drive my car around 2k the whole time i have owned it! i guess thast a bad idea eh? i guess i will try to adapt my shifting methods if it isnt too late!

[cahil_1]

45mph in 5th gear

This to me is crazy, I would recommend that you don't drive 45 in 5th gear its just not needed. what thats like 1500 RPM's 5th gear it is an overdrive gear. plus if you really want to put the hammer down it is easier to go from 4th to the lower gears. but your preference is your preference just a suggestion.

[k-roy]

Keep it between 2.5 and 4K for the best mileage. Anything below that and it starts to bog down. Anything too high and hell you know.

A few tips for mileage. Keep the windows alll the way up or slightly cracked, make sure the tire pressure is correct and even between all tires, proper alignment, keep it tuned well, and don't drive like an idiot.

[joebeets]

The instantaneous MPG guage on my old BMW says lower RPM is better for mileage, I believe due to less frictional and pumping losses in the engine.

[johndej]

yeah, i upshift at about 3K for 1st and 2nd and then at like 2k for 3rd and 4th. i don't think cruising at 45mph in 5th gear is bad at all, i do it all the time. if you wanna power out then just downshift.

[mzabeefy]

my '86 owners manual says "for best fuel economy, and effective emission control, shift at the speeds shown:"
it says to shift from 1st to second @ 15 MPH
2nd to 3rd at 28 mph, 3rd to 4th at 41 mph, and
4th to 5th at 52 mph

that is keeping it between 2k and 3k RPMs i believe.

[locknload68]

45mph in 5th gear

This to me is crazy, I would recommend that you don't drive 45 in 5th gear its just not needed. what thats like 1500 RPM's 5th gear it is an overdrive gear. plus if you really want to put the hammer down it is easier to go from 4th to the lower gears. but your preference is your preference just a suggestion.

I think 45 in 5th is perfectly acceptable, sometimes I even cruise at 40 in 5th(given the road is pretty flat). As long as you aren't trying to accelerate and aren't bogging down the engine, I'm pretty sure you would be using less fuel.

BTW, 4th is an overdrive gear too.

[Morpheus]

you should probably follow what the manual says.

[lightbulblxi]

i just go like this:
1st- 0-5mph
2nd-6-15mph
3rd-16-30
4th-31-445th-45-whatever

[cahil_1]

WOW thats alot of pussy fartin around and milkin the bottle at 45 in 5th gear. I guess whatever wets your panties go do it. I say use her and abuse her and she'll love it, treat her like a baby and she hates it. my car is like a good used shoe the more i break it in the more i love it.. Remember this is only my opinion not tryin to hurt anyones' feelings