pszikla

Guess we all better start granny shifting at 2000rpm from now on!!
NOT!!

Dave!

It's been recommended many times to keep the engine above 3000rpm.

I don't go into 6th until 75-80mph; below that I use 5th.

Riad

Where the tach sits in the "happy zone"... around 3500 RPM. Most of the time that's 5th... rarely 6th.

fpena944

I've only taken one long road trip in my car and during that time I used 6th gear. Even on the highway locally during my commute I'll hit 6th gear if the road is wide open and there is no use for extra power.

I have found though that there is still plenty of passing power at the highest gear but do generally drop it down to 5th or 4th when passing.

As long as I'm over 2000 RPM I feel it's okay...I do keep an eye on the oil pressure which I feel is probably the best indicator of what's going on in the engine. If those levels look okay, then 6th gear is acceptable in my opinion.

RF5BPilot

The older air cooled cars (esp. 356's) had minimum recommended rpms to keep enough air flowing over the engines to keep them cool. Later 911's tended to do better with regular high rev's as the fuel metering was not as precise as new cars, so the plugs tended to load up with low rev's.

By the time you get to a 996 with precise fuel metering, unleaded fuel and water cooling -- as long as you're not lugging the engine, there aren't practical minimums.

But, you're hearing all the opinions.

I'm more concerned about lugging. Flat surface or down hill -- 6th at 60 or above -- no problem. Lower than 60 or up hill -- I use 5th (or lower).

An old rule of thumb was that (for average driving) keeping your revs at about half or less than redline without lugging produced the longest engine life. (supporting Riad's 3,500 rpm choice)

While I don't think the engine wear increases dramatically into the 4,000rpm range, the simple truth is that the greater rpms per mile, the greater fuel & wear per mile (even if it's not a lot greater).

I understand the attraction of cruising in 5th to get a more instant response. One could argue that good driving allows you to anticipate traffic so you don't need instant responses.

Have fun.

Thundertub

Funny. I was about to post a similar thread.

For around town driving, I normally drive with the tach between 2500 and 3000 RPM.
My rule of thumb is that gear selection matches the speed divided by 10:
0-20 = 1st
20-30 = 2nd
30-40 = 3rd
40-50 = 4th
50-60 = 5th
60 plus = 6th

The engine is not lugging in those gears at those speeds and I still have ample torque for a quick burst among the pachyderms around me. I shift at 3,000 unless I am accelerating aggressively, and then I generally shift around 4,000 or so. None of this applies to track time. As a result, I average about 22-24 miles per gallon during the week. It is possible to average over 31 MPG if driving at a consistent 60 mph in 6th - the tach is still above 2500 RPM at that speed. I average about 27-28 on the highway at 70mph (tach still only at about 2750rpm).

At the track, it is a very rare moment that the tach is below 3,000. Even my cool down lap rpm is above 3,000, usually around 3,500.

My technique works for me and my driving sensibilities. It may not be anyone elses cup of tea.

Wellardmac

This pretty much sums up my use patterns.

Steve2112

I have only been in 6th gear twice since I have owned the car *















* I have owned it for about a month, and have not traveled far on the Interstate as of yet without a ton of people in their cars as well.

Wellardmac

We have got to get you out driving that car!

Meister Fahrer

3rd gear takes me to 100mph.

I only use 4-5-6 where it's legal to drive 120-140-160.

samk

Study on engine wear vs RPM for Gm four cylinder engine.( see fig. 4)

http://www.osti.gov/bridge/purl.cove...DsH6uo/native/

Eharrison

I use 6th on highways running (70-85) if I know I'm not going to be changing the pace a lot, or know it's a deserted highway and 5th is too low....(ahem). 5th normally if there's traffic.

But I do not see any purpose to high rev 5th for long periods if you're going to go the same in 6th...

uberskier

I usually cruise in 6th on the highway, this way when I need to pass and hit the gas at 70mph it's more gradual than 5th or 4th (which when I hit the gas the same way - will get me into trouble a lot quicker!)

Blackness

I like to use 3rd exclusively. Hopefully I can get more out of the resale of my car if the other gears are virtually unused.

ivangene

Your thinking is ALL backwards....

you need to be thinking out of trouble a lot quicker