How can an RPM gauge help me shift gears?

Question

hi, i just bought my first car, a '96 Pontiac Sunfire, and its a stick shift. since im new to driving, i was wondering if the RPM gauge in the car can help me shift at more precise timing than just listening to the engine and watching the speedometer etc. if it can, would someone please explain how it works.

also, no one really has to answer this, its just an extra thing, the mileage of the car is 167,000 mi. but it was well maintained by only one owner. with regular oil changes and good maintaince, how long do you think it can last before i would have to replace the engine and all of its hood components?

Answer 1

First of all RPM's are rotations per minute so basically you should probably never go over 4 or rpm's(most tachs or rpm gages go by 10 so multiply the number on the tach by what the tach ( for instance X10 is what it sais at the bottom of the tach) goes by so if the tach goes by 10, 4 would be 4000)to shift into the next gear, the most common rpm to shift (im not realy familiar with pontiac engines) is 3500, the great thing about sticks is that you can leave it in 2nd going down hill and you wont travel probably over 50 and if in 1st even slower but beCAREFUL thats how you get runaway semi trucks, but at least it wont wear out your breaks.

And for your engine life, keep changin your oil and itl last for a long time, just dont drive it like you stole it

Answer 2

Shift Gauge

Answer 3

The RPM is a good safety for beginners. Generally you want to shift before you pass 3000 rpm. Once you have been driving the car for a while you will be able to shift by just the feel and sound of the engine.

Answer 4

You will learn where to shift by doing alot of shifting. The tach won't tell you when to shift, just the RPM. It's much more fun to have one though. A car with high mileage can be killed pretty quick if you beat on it, so take it easy .(keep the RPMs down.)

Answer 5

Most cars are geared to shift within specific ranges, but the linkage should slip every 500 rpm or so. For shifting up, you can clutch in anywhere between 2200-2700 rpm (depends on your car, but play with a bit to see where it slips out of gear the smoothest) and slide it back in exactly 500 rpm slower into the next gear. For shifting down, let it drop to between 1100-1600 and just let the engine go the opposite direction.

If you want to learn your engine more closely, try it without the clutch (this takes lots of open road and clearance for experimentation). To shift up, slowly accelerate to raise your rpms at a steady level, at about 2000 rpms just put a slight pressure on the stick towards the next gear. When it slides out, slide it directly into the next gear. It should go in like warm butter. The difference in rpm for each gear should be 500 rpm.

Shifting down takes a lot more practice. Let the rpms drop to 1000, tap the gas slightly to rev the engine, and as the rpms begin to drop, the stick should pop right out with the same light pressure. After it pops out, rev the engine to around 1900 rpms, lean the stick into the next gear down (without grinding), and as it hits the right rpm mark it should slip right in.

Answer 6

The owner manual will have shift points listed for best mileage. the tachometer, will allow you to see the rpms as you drive. Shifting at a moderate rpm in traffic will get better mileage.and learning your power band range on the highway you can shift at an rpm range more consistently than by ear.

Answer 7

well a rpm gauge wont rely help u much u just have to get use to when the car is ready to shift ..and the engine should be fine as long as u want it to be as long as u dont abuse it or over rev and stuff the things u would probly be replacing first would be the ruber hoses and spark plugs

Answer 8

TRUE race cars have those big tachs because they are easy to read, and most come with a shift light that just lights up at a pre-programmed RPM that you set and then you know to shift.

I don't think they're going to help you learn to shift really, unless your car doesn't come with a tach (my old Honda didn't have one...)

Answer 9

i dont think its possible to say exactly a ___ RPM u need to shift until u see it for urself, unless someone has the same car as you and can tell. usually when the RPM is really high and gets closer to the red u shift i guess. i honestly say, it COULD die anytime. 167k is a lot, even for a toyota or honda.

Answer 10

just keep it between 2000 and 3000, how long it lasts all depends on how your drive it, no redlining, and give it good maintenance