"Correct" city highway cruising gear/rpm?
#1
Track Day
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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?
#2
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I would be in fifth. Unless you're accelerating of coarse. But just cruising, save gas.
#3
Nordschleife Master
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Never below 2000RPM and never lugging.
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anewman (02-27-2020)
#4
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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...
Driving it carefully you can even beat the EPA mpg rating...
#5
Burning Brakes
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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+.
Like ADias said, never below 2k RPM except in first and just a tad in second, but really try to run 2500+.
#6
Race Director
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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.
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#8
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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
Ken 997 C2S Cab
#11
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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.
#12
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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!!
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!!
#13
Race Director
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Listen to the kid Pop's!
#15
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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.