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[Z06] C5 Z06 5th gear

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Old Aug 29, 2017 | 04:11 AM
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Default C5 Z06 5th gear

Hey Guys,

This may sound like a dumb *** question...but whats the optimum speed range to use 5th gear ?

If I shift into 5th at about 30mph I get a whine till 40.. doesn't do it if I stay in 4th and shift up at 40 mph so I am maybe lugging the motor/trans.

What ideally is the 5th gear range??

These cars rock!

Any answers would be appreciated
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Old Aug 29, 2017 | 07:27 AM
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Fifth gear at 30 mph? How old are you, 70?


Seriously, that speed is waaaay too low to be using 5th gear. I don't even use 6th gear unless I am on the freeway for a long run and then only above 65-70 mph.


You are definitely lugging the engine. I wouldn't shift to 5th gear until about 55 mph. Other responses may vary.........


Shakey
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Old Aug 29, 2017 | 08:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Shakeydeal
Fifth gear at 30 mph? How old are you, 70?


Seriously, that speed is waaaay too low to be using 5th gear. I don't even use 6th gear unless I am on the freeway for a long run and then only above 65-70 mph.


You are definitely lugging the engine. I wouldn't shift to 5th gear until about 55 mph. Other responses may vary.........


Shakey


I use 5th above 80-90 kmh (50-55mph) only....that must work like $hit at 30 mph...and I am with Shakey, 6th on highway only

Last edited by 98C5P; Aug 29, 2017 at 08:04 AM.
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Old Aug 29, 2017 | 08:03 AM
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I don't think I've ever used 5th below 55-60mph. Yeah I'd imagine the trans would groan in 5th at 30mph lol...
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Old Aug 29, 2017 | 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Shakeydeal
Fifth gear at 30 mph? How old are you, 70?


Seriously, that speed is waaaay too low to be using 5th gear. I don't even use 6th gear unless I am on the freeway for a long run and then only above 65-70 mph.


You are definitely lugging the engine. I wouldn't shift to 5th gear until about 55 mph. Other responses may vary.........


Shakey
Well I ain't 70 yet more like 56 really And I don't normally drive like a coffin dodger..lol Annnd I rarely make the mistake of pulling off in 3rd ....I wonder how many guys out there do that..lol

Thanks for the replies !!
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Old Aug 29, 2017 | 09:23 AM
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lugging the engine is bad for it!! Let it run where it wants to, enjoy.
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Old Aug 29, 2017 | 04:54 PM
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I shift to 5th at 50+ and 6th only on the freeway at over 65mph.
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Old Aug 29, 2017 | 10:41 PM
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I often shift 1-3 to hit the 70KPH (60K posted + 10) mark going to work, then to fifth. 70K = 44MPH
But that's only when I stop accelerating. Definitely never below that speed, and I'll change to 4th if I speed up for some reason.
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Old Aug 30, 2017 | 07:31 AM
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Originally Posted by grantv
I often shift 1-3 to hit the 70KPH (60K posted + 10) mark going to work, then to fifth. 70K = 44MPH
But that's only when I stop accelerating. Definitely never below that speed, and I'll change to 4th if I speed up for some reason.
And you are just on the edge of lugging the motor in 5th.. but coasting in that gear at 44MPH should be fine..

I certainly wont be going slower than 50MPH in 5th from now on! Don't wanna hurt anything

Last edited by weslp00; Aug 30, 2017 at 07:32 AM.
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Old Aug 30, 2017 | 02:46 PM
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RPMs are the key, not speed.

You do not want to be running in any gear < idle or around 1100 RPMs.

For relaxed driving, I normally shift around 2K RPMs.
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Old Aug 30, 2017 | 08:25 PM
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Don't be afraid of the rpm's. Your driving a Z06, let it breath. These motors love to run.
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 07:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul 75 L82
Don't be afraid of the rpm's. Your driving a Z06, let it breath. These motors love to run.
Think the OP was looking for minimum Shift points, not max.

But I agree, these motors love 3K-6K.
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 11:16 AM
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1st.....10MPH
2nd....20 MPH

......
.....
6th.....60MOH
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Shakeydeal
Fifth gear at 30 mph? How old are you, 70?


Seriously, that speed is waaaay too low to be using 5th gear. I don't even use 6th gear unless I am on the freeway for a long run and then only above 65-70 mph.


You are definitely lugging the engine. I wouldn't shift to 5th gear until about 55 mph. Other responses may vary.........


Shakey
I agree. I haven't been using 6th on the highway either. Much more fun to stay in 5th and easier to pass.


When my uncle taught me to drive stick he said basically to aim for a gear change every 10mph. So first till 10. Second till 20. 3rd till 30...etc.

Obviously that changes depending on how spirited you are driving, but for the most part that will get you around for just cruising.

IDK what you're thinking shifting to 5th at 30mph. lol
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Old Aug 31, 2017 | 03:07 PM
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You can take 3rd out to 100 in these cars....just saying. 30mph in 5th is silly.
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Old Sep 1, 2017 | 03:24 AM
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Originally Posted by MY03C5Z
You can take 3rd out to 100 in these cars....just saying. 30mph in 5th is silly.
Yep you are right and it was silly

It was more of a brain fart and I wasn't thinking straight and I was deffo not trying to economise on gas..

Thanks for all the feedback tho guys..I've learnt a lot !
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Old Sep 1, 2017 | 04:23 AM
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Been driving the Z06 to work all this week and been doing 1-3-5 most of the time. Speed limit is 45 but I'm usually at 50 to 55 mph. after the red lights. Purrs like a kitten with no fur *****. Oh wait, I did get it up to 65 for a few seconds on the big wide 3 lane road.
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Old Sep 1, 2017 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by GTs 58
Been driving the Z06 to work all this week and been doing 1-3-5 most of the time. Speed limit is 45 but I'm usually at 50 to 55 mph. after the red lights. Purrs like a kitten with no fur *****. Oh wait, I did get it up to 65 for a few seconds on the big wide 3 lane road.
Steady.. don't overdo it!
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Old Sep 1, 2017 | 05:12 PM
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kind of miss 3.42's

im in 5th at 40/45mph but 3.90 gear steady speeds over 55mph in 6th
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