For my 2010 GT V8, the manual says to change gears (upshift) at much lower RPM than makes sense to me. You'd be revving WAY sub-2000 RPM if you followed this advice.

Does anyone have any recommendations, or insight into why Ford recommends this? Are they trying to boost gas mileage this way?

Also, at what speed should I be in top gear (5th)? I would have said, based on my runs, 70 MPH or even higher, but that's not even legal For normal highway driving, 4th seems right.

Thanks for any insight.

 

Just casual driving I usually shift up at about 2200 to 2500 rpms. Spirited acceleration, then of course at higher rpm's. I usually shift to 5th once I get to about 55 or 60. As you suggest Ford is probably recommending to maximize gas mileage but it really isn't realistic.

 

your right about not needing 5th gear on most roads, i hated it, installed 4.10's and it is somewhat better but i still use fourth if i am playing with somebody on the highway.

 

What gears are you running? I have 3.73's and have found that if you shift out @ 2000 RPM's you get great gas mileage. However, if you shift out @ 3000 RPM's, your gas mileage will suffer a little bit, but you will notice more pep. These engines don't start coming alive until 3 grand. If you have 3.31's, you are going to be constantly shifting between 3rd and 4th in town, or atleast I was. I shift into 5th if I am out on the highway and know I will not be right back into 4th....too much wear and tear on the clutch.

 

It all depends on if you're "lazy" driving, spirited driving, on the upstroke or downstroke of a hill, etc. But I'd have to say I shift about the same as Grabborange above. Mostly, it's based on the sound of the engine, feel of the car, lay of the land, etc. I rarely look at the tach to determine when to shift. Of course, I occasionally will shift about 200 RPM below my current 6500 RPM redline or when I bounce off the limiter (by accident, of course).

 

Thanks for the info guys.

My axle ratio is 3.73 - yup, 3rd works just fine around town, which is kinda nice.

 

there is never really any 1 set rpm to shift at. all depends on road conditions, traffic, hills, and your mood, lol. do what ever feels right for the situation. i will usually shift at 1500 to 3000 rpm for daily driving around town. and i step into 5th around 45-55 mph(if i am not accelerating).

 

Wow, really?

 

yep this is about the same for me...but here in Phoenix we have a lot of flat roads, and if I am not accelerating, at 50 I will shift into 5th.

Unless I am really accelerating (i.e. getting on the freeway) or really feel like driving, I usualy shift at about 2000 RPM's.

 

This is such a technical question I think my head is going to explode.