Good god mam, are your drives constantly "downhill?" I actually tried to drive today at 2K, and my car almost stalled several times. Have some more fun in your life.....

 

cruising in traffic i keep it at 3 to 4k and shift at about 5k
I agree, 2k feels almost like lugging the engine

 

u guys get "stall" feelin at 2k? wow. i mean even the dumb shift indicater comes up as soon as u hit 2400, so that is weird that u can't shift there. when i said 2k, i was rounding down. but i do shift between 2200-2500 when i'm trying to drive like a european hellbent on saving gas.

 

For me, 5000 rpm most of the time.

 

Anybody read the latest Automobile magazine? In the back section they take a Ferrari Testarossa out for a spin, the Ferrari specialist scolds the journalist for shifting at 4000 RPM. Tells him not to let off before 7000 RPM, said it's healthier for the engine. The guy was serious about it.

Also on the cover are "Top Ten 911's", good read.

 

Do you have a shift indicator light on your dash? I don't.

 

That's what I do...I find that if I drive this way I can actually pull down over 17mpg city. I blend in 4 gallons of 100 unleaded to get me to 93 so its getting expensive.

Dave

 

this is where my cousins in Bavaria are critical of american porsche drivers. They say we buy it for the image, but drive it like a cadillac "ruining the engine". I have gotten in numerous discussions with them on the topic trying to defend american porsche drivers, because some of us like to drive these cars as they are intended to be driven. I am honestly no expert on this matter, but my understanding is that running the car constantly in a low rpm range is not necessarily good for it. I would love to hear from somebody that really knows more about the consequences of running the engines in the low (2k) rpm range as opposed to mid (4k) rpm range.

 

No higher than 3k until fluid temps are up.....then the hammer drops.

 

3k during warmup. 4k once warm if I'm just toolin' around.

Fin Fever: My mechanic advised me to get up to 6 when safe to keep things right.

 

Is it just me, or is this an odd question to come up on a Porsche forum? Guys, if you don't know how to drive a stick shift you should be buying a Prius or something.

 

I usually shift around 3500 - 4000 rpm driving around town.

 

Yeah, agreed.

But the right answer hasn't been given yet; and that is, truly and simply: when it sounds and feels right. The car will tell you if you listen, whether driving spiritedly or conservatively ...

And 'May the Force be with you'

 

max torque is in area of 4500 rpm so it would be odd to shift up prior to this point. My optimal cruising is at 2500-3500 rpm with usual upshifting at 4.5K-5K. That keeps me with 16mpg milage.

 

Edgy I wasn't asking you to teach me how to drive. I want to know if you bury the tach every shift or if you go low RPM. Apparently, American Porsche drivers have a reputation for showboating 911's, I find that insightful.

Personally I shift when it feels right, which for me is about 4500 RPM. I'm interested to hear how you drive your Porsches.