whodkne

What is a good range of RPM's to cruise at? Sometimes I feel as though I am cruising too low and other times too high. Where should I keep it?

Seems I have the most trouble between 50 and 60 (which is the speed I cruise around town at, don't tell any cops). At that speed the debate is between 4th and 5th in the 225.

What is the deal with downshifting? Is it needed? Should it be done? Etc..

peterc

Sure downshift, highest possible gear when croosing (fuel cons) you can always shift back : )

RDROCKTT aka Stealth

I cruise at 50 in 3rd 4000 rpms but better gas mileage in 4th. Just downshift if needed.

smallTTs

It's in the owner's manual. 37 mph in 5th (180 5-speed) and up! Anything else is wasting fuel and wearing out the engine.

Even at full throttle, this engine produces max torque from 1950 (180) or 2200 (225). At part throttle (cruising)it's comfortable a couple hundred rpm below that. If you need to accelerate and get pedal to metal and it's not accelerating quickly exough, then downshift 1 or 2 gears (or even 3).

"Lugging" or making the engine work harder at low rpm isn't a problem, contrary to what you might hear elsewhere. Your desired acceleration should determine the gear you choose. Part throttle acceleration it higher rpm (in lower gears) is a waste, except if you like to listen to the exhaust, or have others hear it. IMO, that's the only reason not to cruise in highest possble gear.
An exception would be "cut-and-squirt" type traffic situations...which isn't cruising.

My $.02

whodkne

That is a lot lower that I was thinking.

I have been playing by the sound of the engine for now, and it seems that 3000-3500 was giving me the best feel. That seems awful low to me..

whodkne

I am crusing at 55ish (50-60) in 4th right now, which leaves me around 3500. When I start hitting the 4000 mark I am going to 5th.

whodkne

Should I worry about matching RPMs when I downshift or is that just for comfort?

john s

Somebody has to do the matching, either you or the syncros

BillK

If I need to accelerate, I'll drop a few gears, otherwise, it's nice to putter along at 1800 RPM or so in 6th and watch the MPG meter rise into the 30s...

whodkne

Interesting..