rumartin

My son recently told me that he thinks I push my 2010 C4S too hard because I generally "cruise" in city highway traffic in 4th gear at about 4000-4200 rpm (70-75 mph). He thinks I should upshift to 5th and keep it in the 3400 rpm range. I think the car likes the higher revs better, and it just "feels" right to me. He disagrees. Who is right?

Hella-Buggin'

I would be in fifth. Unless you're accelerating of coarse. But just cruising, save gas.

ADias

Never below 2000RPM and never lugging.

kouzman

i would even put 6th... I would only keep the car at high revs onl if i am driving fast or when i prepare to overtake someone...

Driving it carefully you can even beat the EPA mpg rating...

p-cardriver

I'd be in 6th, drop to 5th or 4th for hills or much of a pull, assuming you hold that speed or a bit less. If you're really just cruising at that rpm and speed, you're just wasting gas IMO.

Like ADias said, never below 2k RPM except in first and just a tad in second, but really try to run 2500+.

Mike in CA

Your son is right. To "cruise" at 70-75 in 4th is wasting gas and causing unnecessary wear on your engine; 5th or even 6th is much more appropriate. Lower gears for hills and quick acceleration are a quick downshift away if needed.

Max77

Yep, I'd also be in 6th at that speed range, no sense at all to be in 4th if you're just cruising around.

smokestack20

First Post! New to the List & new to Porsche. so only questions here, no advice! 2000+ RPM feels right to me, but its always good to get it confirmed by the LIST.

Ken 997 C2S Cab

JW911

70+ mph you should definitely be in 6th gear. Although I'm a bit perplexed at what you mean by "city highway traffic". Seems a contradictory term.

winkingchef

The 6=>4 (or even 6=>3) double-clutch downshift on a manual 911 is one of the greatest achievements in human evolution.

Stay in 6. Pop two cogs to pass and grin.

utkinpol

for city driving i never go below 2500 and rarely above 6K rpm. usually about of 3500-4500 is a sweet spot. 4K sustained is fine. 3K sustained is also fine. choose for yourself what is it you like best.

Betternotbigger

You lot obviously don't pay European prices for your fuel. The upshift indicator on my gen 2 says change into 6th gear at 38 mph (if you're maintaining steady speed) and that's what I do. The engine purrs along happily at 1400 revs. It doesn't "lug". It's designed to be driven as much like that as well as at 7000 revs in 2nd (it's the everyday sportscar after all). What an amazing achievement is the dfi engine.

So to answer the OP's question. At 50mph, 6th is the only gear you should consider unless:

You need to accelerate quickly to overtake
You are on a steep uphill section
You want to hear the PSE wail and to feel the car come alive

In which case, 2nd or 3rd will do nicely!!

mdrums

Listen to the kid Pop's!

No HTwo O

Rumartin, you're raised a smart son. Should be very proud.

Ynot

I agree, never below 2500 and rarely about 6K rpm. I usually cruise a little above 2500 rpm. Cruising around 4500 rpm is a bit high and waste of fuel unless you don't care about mpg.