Quote:
Originally posted by Mike in NRH:

The other thing I noticed, that did seem counter to what [b]56kz2slow said is that when you're cruising at 2k RPM's you actually tend to apply the gas more than if you were in the 1500 or less range (as I normally drive). This is because the engine seems to naturally want to 'idle' in the lower rpm range and across flat or mostly flat surfaces without a lot of wind drag (hello Texas) and has enough very low end torque to pull it with relative ease.

So in summary, this post was actually about which RPMs to shift at, not so much to drive at, but there seemed to be preference for keeping the engine at a higher RPM state than I was so I figured it was worth a try. While this may have been better for my engine, with fewer carbon deposits in the engine (although I wouldn't know why, the VVT combined with FI and mapping would seem to prevent this as long as I wasn't knocking), but I did get a markedly noticeable hit to my MPG's. [/b]
I did not mention any RPM in my post since I never driven a manual Gen2. I would also never mention RPM because there are too many factors affecting what speed you must shift. Half the manual cars I owned did not have a tach so I never paid attention to close attention to RPM, I go by sound.

The faster you accelerate, the higher you will shift. Take Gord Hunt for example, he redlines everytime, which means he must be accelerationg at WOT. If while still accelerating at WOT and shifting 3000RPM, the engine would bog in the next gear.

Think of your 10 speed (or more) bicycle. You are the engine on the bicycle so you can imagine what happens if you shift too quick or too slow.