Optimal RPM's
 

So I've been having this debate with my coworker on when to shift my car. I find I shift around 3,000 rpm's and he's saying I should shift sooner. My argument is that my 4cyl subaru is an automatic and it is shifting around 2,800 rpms so I can't be far off.

Opinions?

RE: Optimal RPM's
 

Take a look see at some of the dyno charts. You will see when the HP starts to level off. I'm thinking around 5500 rpms but don't hold me to that. You can stay in a little longer, all the way to red line and "milk" every last HP out of it but I don't think that is "optimal".

RE: Optimal RPM's
 

I guess it is more of a personal preference but I shift around 2900-3000 RPM's for lower gears (1-3). For 4th, I might shift at around 2500 RPM's (40 mph)because a lot of city driving is done behind old geezers who maintain this speed and I don't want to run the engine too hard for a long period of time. For 5th, I shift whenI get to a reasonable speed which is normally around 2100-2500 RPM's (about 45-50 mph). I hope this answers your question but keep in mind it is a personal preference.

RE: Optimal RPM's
 

For DD, yes. I was speaking mainly for racing.

RE: Optimal RPM's
 

Yeah, I was figuring daily driving as well, racing you are probably right but I took it as a DD type situation. Thanks for clearing that up.

RE: Optimal RPM's
 

Pretty sure it's a DD question. I shift at 3 for first and 2500 for everything after that usually

RE: Optimal RPM's
 

He's s probably saying you should shift sooner in daily driving to conserve fuel.

Think about the power curve on your 4 cyl Subie, our V8's make more power at lower RPMs so you could shift much earlier if you wanted to. Just personal preference, personally when I drive manuals (infrequent) I like to rev it a little bit but those are in 4cyl econoboxes.

RE: Optimal RPM's
 

It just depends on what youre comfortable with, i shift around 2000 rpm alot when just put puttin around. as long as youre not trying to push it hard down low you should be just fine. i just let mine kinda lug itself along and have no issues.

RE: Optimal RPM's
 

I like 3,000 just fine, and you are right, now that I think about it, usually around 2,500 from 4th to 5th. Thanks peoples.

RE: Optimal RPM's
 

Me too.