A&Q about 350Z
Q:
I was just wondering... Unless accellerating, the lowest speed at which I cruise in 6th gear is 60. What about the rest of yall?
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guns and guitars, bikinis and fast cars - slide behind the wheel and GO!!
A:
thastankanator,
I also have a question relating to this. When do you guys actually use 5th gear in the local streets (legally). Would it be 5th gear is about 50-60, then you are breaking the law, hehe? If so, then how often do you use in local?
Thanks,
Tony
A:
i've probably done as low as 50 in 6th, but more by accident than on purpose. it's pretty "spongie" at the speed.
5th is a good gear for 50ish for higher mileage. mostly, once i'm over 60 i start thinking about 6th if there's some distance to cruise.
2003 350Z LeMans Sunset Track with Nav
No mods
A:
about 133
A:
Mspeasl
Central Illinois - Form member since 2/02
"Growing old may be mandatory, but growing up is optional"
03 Redline Touring 6sp "350Z" (Pre-Ordered 02/02) - Delivered 29 August 02
05 Satin Jade Pearl Chrysler 300C 6/04
Post Edited (Mar 28, 6:35pm)
A:
Even shifting @ 3000 rpm is IMO too low. You have all felt it: depending upon how deep you are into the throttle, the correctly chosen shift point combined with normal proper timing from one gear to the next results in that slight 'surge' the car responds with without having to additionally press the throttle. That point, for me, is around 4200 to 4500 rpm (under slightly spirited acceleration, higher for leadfooting). If you shift @ too low an rpm, the car once shifted can even slightly hesitate. Done well, you're actually catching the clutch wear face mating when the engine rpm (flywheel) is going just a bit faster than the disengaged transmission . Generalizing, it's best to have the car just past the fattest part of its powerband when shifting. Doing so @ 3000 rpm can be done of course, even long term, but IMO would result in premature drivetrain wear (you may notice it is easier to create much jerkier shifts with less smooth clutch work). Low rpm shifting would only have negligible effects under LOW throttle - far lower than most people would EVER drive this car. If you can't resist 'putting the pedal to the metal' (join the club - hehe) then you should really shift @ a higher rpm. Don't be afraid to put this engine into the 5K range guys/gals. You may be surprised to learn that it is FAR less harmful to have the engine THERE than it is sub 2K. The physics of drivetrain resistance are just a bit too challenging for me to attempt a post on it - so just trust me dammit! :)
And btw bam---9: check your tire pressure. There's hot air in there. Come to think of it, there may be a vacuum in there. hehe
A:
photoz: you really DO need to cure her of that. She's slowly killin' her car, and building up all sorts of nasty carbon deposits all over creation in her engine! I don't have the formula - I would have posted it if I had - but it is different for every car regardless. Depends upon the Hp/Torque curve. See above recommendations and pass them on to her!
A:
If it is so harmful to drive with a low rpm, why would the manual suggest 33mph as the minimum speed to be in 6th? This is about 1000 rpm. If it is so harmful, wouldn't they suggest a speed which is above 3000 rpm or so?
Also, my winter beater (auto transmission) runs at a low rpm even if I accellerate slowly. If I pound the gas then it will downshift, but when driving in traffic you can't always pound the gas... The only time I see the tachometer above 3000 is when I'm accelerating really hard, or when I'm in overdrive going about 80mph.
2003 350Z
CS, Enthusiast, MT