Is it safe for the engine to be operating at like 5th gear at 35mph and so on.... or is it better to go with the shift points in the manual? Cuz if u think about it, shifting below the points is better for gas mileage, but doesnt that make the engine have to struggle against a high geared drive train??? Or is it better to shift later and spend a little more gas but has less engine work, however this has more explosions in the engine = more heat! how does all this compare with engine life too?? just wonderin...

 

well...if you wanna drive normally, not going fast, shift at 3k, and if you drop under 2k, upshift one gear. that'll keep you inside the 2000-3000 range. if you noticed, 35 mph in 5th gear makes the car kinda jerk back and forth. i try not to do this because other drivers might look at me and laugh.

i actually read some mag that said if you floor it and rev higher you'll get better mileage because if you put it in 3rd at 40 and give it half pedal all the way to 55, you'll take way longer and more gas than if you go 2nd gear from 40-55.

unless you redline it in every gear all the time your engine life probably won't be affected too bad, as long as you do all the routine maintenance of course.

 

you will put less stress and load on the engine at higher rpm and less throttle then lower rpm which would need more throttle. I never go below 2k unless coasting on slight downhills etc. and normaly shift from 3-3.5k ah, I mean 6.5

 

From what I've heard if you lug it around it will cause pretty bad carbon buildup.If one regularly winds it out or shifts near redline say a time or to a week in 1st and 2nd gear it should help keep the carbon out.If you get too much carbon built up it can cause you to break an apex seal or 2 or 3.I don't know about stress on the engine or the amount the engine has to work but for the sake of preventing carbon build up I would shift a little higher than the shift points in the manual.I personally shift at 4k rpm and try not to let my rpms drop below 3k.

 

The "shift" light is a pretty good indicator for around the town driving. If going about 35mph 4th gear is fine no need to go to 5th. At about 45 when cruising, the shift light will light, so consider that a good time to shift to 5th.

 

No shift light on the TII

Basically - if it's groaning at you - that's bad

 

I wondered who had the melted bumper car

 

You mean the idiot that was following him too close, right?

Brad

 

In theory, the method to getting the best fuel mileage is 3/4 to full throttle. I believe that there was an article on this in Road & Track of December 2000 (don't ask how I know off the top of my head, I just do). Anyway, I don't have that particular copy with me, it is at home and I am at school. If someone would be so kind as to find it, scan it, and post it?

 

Turn it on and drive off, just keep on moving, shifting around 3k RPMs. You can take it over 3k RPMs after you are sure the engine is warmed up. When you are waiting for a stop light, put it on neutral and take your foot off the clutch. When you park, let it idle for about 30 seconds (doesn't hurt, and is recommened if your car has a turbo) and shut it off.