Shift Point RPM
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 275
Likes: 148
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
Shift Point RPM
Just feeling out at what RPM do you feel is a good shift point with the C7 M7. I am thinking 3000 RPM, is this too high. This shift would be your average in town type driving. Not aggressive. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,070
Likes: 162
From: Coralville Iowa
Impossible to answer. Depends on grade, terrain, road conditions, temperature, your "intent" (just driving vs. rapid acceleration vs. trying to achieve good MPG, etc.). As stated previously - keep it from lugging and you are fine. The allure of driving these cars is the torque.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,006
Likes: 477
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Yeah, this car has a LONG power band. And, the sound of the revs is much different than my previous vehicle.
I too am constantly shifting (what I feel) a lot sooner than I should be. Usually just before 3K RMP.
Then, I look down and see I still had 3-4K more to go. Oh, well...in time. In time...
As others have said, as long as you aren't "bogging" down the motor...
I too am constantly shifting (what I feel) a lot sooner than I should be. Usually just before 3K RMP.
Then, I look down and see I still had 3-4K more to go. Oh, well...in time. In time...
As others have said, as long as you aren't "bogging" down the motor...
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
I would never shift at those speeds! Way too low, my minimum is 1200 to 1500 rpm. However I shift at whatever rpm feels right for what I'm trying to do. Hard to say, there is one speed, there is not. I typically shift at 2000 to 3000 into 2nd probably about the same to 3rd. Then depends on what I'm doing. I might go directly to 5th if on our local rural 55 mph speed limit roads.
If on an entrance ramp going on the highway may take 4th to ~3000 rpm (70 mph) and shift directly to 7th. Coming off the highway, assuming I will want to be in 4th, go directly from 7th to 4th (the shifter spring loading makes that easy) and let rev match make that a perfectly smooth downshift.
Last edited by JerryU; Jun 8, 2015 at 10:30 AM.
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Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 168
Likes: 16
I shift very early, I think 3K is way too high for normal street driving. It seems to be a general rule of thumb for many cars, but with this much torque it's completely unnecessary.
The great thing about manual cars is that they are very "honest." They'll tell you right away if you're doing it something it doesn't like. For example, straight up stalling if you don't give it enough gas, brutally jerking you if you downshift improperly, etc. If you're able to shift smoothly and the car doesn't complain, the RPM you're shifting at is fine.
I just shift by ear honestly for normal driving.
Of course, it's almost impossible not get a lead foot in this car so I suppose I shift at 5-6K RPM quite regularly even in my "casual" drives.
The great thing about manual cars is that they are very "honest." They'll tell you right away if you're doing it something it doesn't like. For example, straight up stalling if you don't give it enough gas, brutally jerking you if you downshift improperly, etc. If you're able to shift smoothly and the car doesn't complain, the RPM you're shifting at is fine.
I just shift by ear honestly for normal driving.
Of course, it's almost impossible not get a lead foot in this car so I suppose I shift at 5-6K RPM quite regularly even in my "casual" drives.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 126
Likes: 3
From: Albuquerque NM
Personally, if I'm running above 2000 RPM for any extended period I usually shift up, depending on grade, etc. Since it's my daily driver I like to get better gas mileage. With everyday acceleration I shift around 3000, except when I can't help myself
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
If you look at the Owner's Manual (page 9-31 in the 2014 manual) it says for max fuel economy you can shift to 4th @750 rpm (note it assumes 1st to 2nd and 3rd are blocked); shift to 5th @775 rpm,; to 6th @1000 rpm and 950 rpm to 7th. Those speeds are with my Z51 gearing.
I would never shift at those speeds! Way too low, my minimum is 1200 to 1500 rpm. However I shift at whatever rpm feels right for what I'm trying to do. Hard to say, there is one speed, there is not. I typically shift at 2000 to 3000 into 2nd probably about the same to 3rd. Then depends on what I'm doing. I might go directly to 5th if on our local rural 55 mph speed limit roads.
If on an entrance ramp going on the highway may take 4th to ~3000 rpm (70 mph) and shift directly to 7th. Coming off the highway, assuming I will want to be in 4th, go directly from 7th to 4th (the shifter spring loading makes that easy) and let rev match make that a perfectly smooth downshift.
I would never shift at those speeds! Way too low, my minimum is 1200 to 1500 rpm. However I shift at whatever rpm feels right for what I'm trying to do. Hard to say, there is one speed, there is not. I typically shift at 2000 to 3000 into 2nd probably about the same to 3rd. Then depends on what I'm doing. I might go directly to 5th if on our local rural 55 mph speed limit roads.
If on an entrance ramp going on the highway may take 4th to ~3000 rpm (70 mph) and shift directly to 7th. Coming off the highway, assuming I will want to be in 4th, go directly from 7th to 4th (the shifter spring loading makes that easy) and let rev match make that a perfectly smooth downshift.
Last edited by JerryU; Jun 8, 2015 at 06:52 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,226
Likes: 1,029
From: Thomas Texas
After an up shift, I target the RPM in the area of 1400-1500 rpm. While the engine will cruise below that comfortably, I like to be a little higher in case I start uphill. Up Shift point varies by gear.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
If you are truly just cruising around, you can and should shift at pretty low rpms - the 6.2 has tons of torque from 750 rpm on up.
If I am just puttering around the neighborhood, I usually use every other gear 1-3-5 or 2-4-6 and shift at 1,500-1,800 rpm - I try to keep the cruising rpm in any gear between 1,000-1,400 rpm.
I only really use 7th on the highway, as it too tall for any speed below 55 mph.
If I am just puttering around the neighborhood, I usually use every other gear 1-3-5 or 2-4-6 and shift at 1,500-1,800 rpm - I try to keep the cruising rpm in any gear between 1,000-1,400 rpm.
I only really use 7th on the highway, as it too tall for any speed below 55 mph.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
If you are truly just cruising around, you can and should shift at pretty low rpms - the 6.2 has tons of torque from 750 rpm on up.
If I am just puttering around the neighborhood, I usually use every other gear 1-3-5 or 2-4-6 and shift at 1,500-1,800 rpm - I try to keep the cruising rpm in any gear between 1,000-1,400 rpm.
I only really use 7th on the highway, as it too tall for any speed below 55 mph.
If I am just puttering around the neighborhood, I usually use every other gear 1-3-5 or 2-4-6 and shift at 1,500-1,800 rpm - I try to keep the cruising rpm in any gear between 1,000-1,400 rpm.
I only really use 7th on the highway, as it too tall for any speed below 55 mph.
