T10Chris

Constant speed, not going up steep hill/mountain/incline, above 60 mph = 6th.

Nzo

I don't use it very often, I like the way my exhaust sounds.

trendy996

How much is the taller 6th gear GT?

Kevinmacd

Use 6 all the time, when its in the mid 2000 rpm range or above, never keep the engine in below mid 2k range in all gears

Freddie Two Bs

Alrite it seems like I'm the only weirdo

Dock

I wouldn't go that far.

Veggantilles

Is there any reason for making first gear so short? I find myself wanting to start in second just so I don't have to deal with the whiplash induced by 1st - 2nd.

Dock

My guess is that it is there to improve 0-60 times. Since the 996 Turbo engine doesn't produce a lot of torque until the boost is up, and because you can't build boost in the stock car if the clutch is depressed (as it would be prior to a standstill launch with 3000-4000 RPM, if attempting a best effort 0-60 time), the only other thing Porsche could do to improve 0-60 times, all else staying the same, was to install a short 1st gear.

Veggantilles

Thanks for the answer!

Still hate first though.

Dock

I like 1st gear, because it produces the highest longitudinal acceleration g at WOT (as compared to the other gears).

champignon

Interstate Highway driving where I live is about as boring as it gets. Most of the time, in spite of speed limits of 80 mph when out of town, it is a real challenge to go 75, due to a-holes sitting in the left-hand lane going less than the speed limit, trucks passing trucks, etc. I can remember 1-2 interesting high speed passes (usually in the Right-hand lane) over the last 12 months, otherwise, sheer boredom and gritting of teeth.

Why this would be more interesting in 4th or 5th gear, with its associated engine noise, is a mystery to me.

The enjoyable driving that I experience is on 2 lane mountain roads, especially going around tight curves, often while descending. The speed limit for those is typically 65mph, and it can be a challenge to do the speed limit in those conditions without feeling like you might part company with the road surface (typically there are advisory signs for going 45).

Still, when cruising and not passing and just motoring, if the RPMs are over 2000, I'm all in for 6th or whatever gear is appropriate with less vibration and noise.

GTgears

Not for my customers...

GTgears

Check the owners manual. I know on the 996 GT3s the owners manual actually suggests starting in 2nd gear on a flat surface. There really isn't a good reason for you to avoid starting in 2nd.

Berra

So what's 1st gear for? Pulling a trailer home?

Not everything Porsche writes makes sense...and this obviously is for fuel savings and that's one thing I do not feel belongs in a owners manual of a sports car, especially if they are GT Porsches.

Yeah Porsche, I'll save a drop of fuel and make french fries of my clutch instead!

Dock

I've never seen that in the 996 Turbo owners manual.