What is your regular and sport driving RPM for shifting?
 

Hey Guys I am just getting used to my 2001 base and have only driven it about 6 times. I have noticed I can really ride second pretty deep into the RPMs and she doesnt seem to mind....and of course third gear seems to go all the way to the moon. Can you guys give me an idea of what a healthy RPM to shift into 3rd and into 4th would be please. I have heard these cars like to be driven a little hard so I have just been diggin in a bit. I have also heard these cars dont like to be lugged around but sometimes in a neighborhood it is unavoidable.....do u guys prefer to ride second gear in slower areas or do u bump it up to third and let her creap at low rpm???

Thanks

In a perfect world, each shift would be just before redline... but we live in the real world. On the street at least. There are varied opinions, but I try to keep my RPMs on the low side about 3k and try not to let it drop below 2500 if driving around, thought sometimes it does go a bit lower. Drive it like you stole, the engine will be happy.

Ya 3k seems to be the high cruising number......I dont see a red line on my tach which is one of the reasons i was asking the question. I guess when I am buzzin around I am shifting around 5 or 6k from second to third does that sound about where u guys are at?
After I shift into 3rd I am pretty much done around where I live.....

Don’t lug the engine.....
 

....keep her above 3,000 RPM all the time.

When you first start her up, be gentle on the throttle and keep her below 4,000 RPM until the temperature hits 180.

Once she’s warmed up, shift her at 6,000 RPM all day long and enjoy life.

On the highway, these German cars are geared for the Autobahn, so you might not ever get into Fifth Gear.

Use the gear that keeps you around 3,000 RPM when cruising. If that’s Fourth Gear, then fine. Use Fifth when you are really driving at high speed.

Enjoy!

Thanks for the replies. Ya at first its un natural to keep her in that RPM range...but as I get used to the car.....I can see thats what she likes. I just took her for a spin......waaaaaa ....whaaaaaaaaaaa.........whhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaa its like an amusement ride!

For the 6 speed, basically entering a HWY in 2nd, go for it, shift to 3rd, go for it then it's 4th, 5th, 6th is just an exercise because I'll be doing 95 and have to start slowing down.

I'm a drive at 3000, upshift when I go under 3

Yes. I will go under 3 if going downhill; i.e. not lugging.

The majority of the time I am around 3000-3500RPM. I normally downshift at or a bit below 3k, and upshift around 4k, unless I am having some fun in which case I will shift at 5500-6500RPM. I spend the majority of the time in 3rd around town (40-50MPH) or 4th/5th on the highway. 25MPH zones are normally 2nd gear. I have trouble with 30MPH zones, because it's below 3k RPM in 3rd gear, but over 4k in 2nd gear, so I will stay in 3rd at 2700-2900RPM unless it's uphill. This is for a '99 5-speed. :cheers:

During warm up I shift at 2K afterwards, between 2.5 - 3K, during spirited driving I hit rev limiter

Pretty much the same as others have said, try to keep it over 3k in normal driving. I almost never use 5th gear.

Interestingly, I've noticed surprisingly small dropoffs in gas mileage on drives where I keep it above 4k.

You don't live in the West! LOL
5th is pretty common here at 85-90--and we're posted at 80mph on the Interstates.

You're right about the mileage. We just took a trip over some mountain passes in and around Yellowstone and the worst mileage we got was 29!