Highway cruising gear
 

Hi Everyone,

My friends and I are having a bit of a debate regarding proper manual driving technique and I thought I'd pose it to the experts. The crux of their argument is that on the highway, under normal driving conditions (some traffic, not bumper-to-bumper, but not wide open either) I should be in 6th gear and only downshift as needed to pass and maneuver aggressively. I tend to use 4th as my workhorse gear and only shift up when things are wide open and straight. I think we all agree that it's more fun to keep the revs in the happy 5000 - 7000 zone, but am I unnecessarily damaging the engine by making it work harder than it needs to?

This is first manual car and I've driven it this way since after the break-in period. I haven't had any passengers question my shifting tendencies until the past few days -- though admittedly most of my friends don't drive stick. So who's right? Should the car (1) only be downshifted as needed or (2) only be upshifted as needed from cruising speed?

Thanks!

1 but just for gas mileage. I do think youd put less wear and tear on the engine at hwy speeds at a lower rpm though

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Um, if you are just cruising you "should" be in the highest gear that doesn't lug the engine, I find once I'm at 45 mph I can use 6th if the road is not uphill.

I say should in "" marks because who cares. We bought manuals so we can do what we want with the gearbox. If you want to cruise at 60mph in 4th gear go for it.

I'm usually higher in gear. Like at 45 I'm in 6th unless it's a hilly road then I'm in 5th. 35 I'm usually in 4th. Mainly because I don't like hearing the high revs while cruising. It gives me a headache. The only reason why I would be going 55 in 4th gear is if I expect to slow down right after getting there. It's a habit I formed from my dad teaching me to drive.

All you're doing is unnecessarily wasting gas and putting extra wear and tear on your motor. So your friends are right.

Your friends are right. What you are doing is completely unnecessary and overall is detrimental to the health of your engine. It also burns significantly more fuel.

That is also an improper break in that I would argue is "not good" for the engine.

Where the heck did you get this idea?

if there's no need to accelerate or go up a hill, which is pretty much what I define as cruising like you said... then I agree with most everyone in this thread. Anything 45+ and constant speed can be done easily in 6th. Save yourself some gas money. If I tried to cruise at 5000-7000 RPMs, I'm pretty sure I'd be deaf by now or will have pissed off countless people around my car for being obnoxiously loud while "cruising" (I have an aftermarket exhaust).

As soon as I get to 35mph I throw it in 6th and floor it. Don't need to shift again until I'm under 35. Ideal for mpg and longevity.

Not sure if serious or trolling.....

Go forced induction and 6th gear becomes a passing gear too :)

I don't think you're hurting anything but I agree it's unnecessary unless the traffic necessitates it (i.e. constantly oscillating between 40-60 within each mile or two).

Personally there are very few situations on public roads I feel the need to be above 5k rpm unless I'm feeling childish.

hmm, that's odd. I'm always above 5k RPM from 25mph to the speed limit.

People are being too conservative with this car. It's a true SPORTS car. I redline it all day long. My mpg is about 21-22 combined.

No joke, anytime above 35mph im in 6th. Idk if it's bad or not, I don't know how it could be. But it does make me wish there was a 7th overdrive gear. Turning about 1,500ish at 60mph.

To me, the lower the rpm, the less the friction, the better the fuel economy and less wear & tear. That's just how I think of it, I could be wrong but it makes sense in my head.