How to drive a protege, Stick.

[SocialStealth]

As you all know, I'm 19, this is my first car, and I'm extremely inexperienced.


I'd like to know 'how' to drive a Manual Protege!
I want to know:
a) How to obtain the best mpg
b) how to drive as fast as possible (burnout)



Lets say your at a stand still. Your the only car on a road, speed limit = 55.
Your in no rush, no cops around, and can drive as fast/as slow as you want.

what points should you shift at to obtain the best mpg ?
--Is it better to end up going 40 mph in 5th gear?
--or is it always better to get 5th gear to 3k rpms to reach maximum mpg?

Post any information you have pertaining to the subject, so we can find the solution!!! (doughpoke

 

[JCell]

at the track, i found it better N/A to shift b4 redline.

as MPG, being in a high gear with a lot of load cancels out the effect because the engine is dumping fuel just to keep going. turn the ac off and ride with the windows down will help with the gas

 

[SocialStealth]

at the track, i found it better N/A to shift b4 redline.

as MPG, being in a high gear with a lot of load cancels out the effect because the engine is dumping fuel just to keep going. turn the ac off and ride with the windows down will help with the gas

So driving in the highest gear at the lowest speed will result in the best mpg?
Is that harmful for your engine?

 

[Cellerator]

no, driving in the highest gear while remaining around 2000-2500 rpms will get you roughly the best gas mileage. Any lower and you may bog the engine down.

As for top speed, best way of reaching it is by going down a long hill where you can see the crest of the next so that you can make sure there aren't any cops. You'll have lots of drag in 4th gear so wait until you reach redline to shift and if you're stock, you may reach 120-125. My fastest was 127 before I let off.

 

[SocialStealth]

no, driving in the highest gear while remaining around 2000-2500 rpms will get you roughly the best gas mileage. Any lower and you may bog the engine down.

As for top speed, best way of reaching it is by going down a long hill where you can see the crest of the next so that you can make sure there aren't any cops. You'll have lots of drag in 4th gear so wait until you reach redline to shift and if you're stock, you may reach 120-125. My fastest was 127 before I let off.

What is drag?

At what point should you shift (to obtain top speed) at each gear?
You should shift when your car reaches max torque in each gear, right?
Anyone know where this point is? Are you supposed to remain at this point for a few moments until you shift, or do you shift right away?
The idea I'm trying to get is the fastest way to go fast (blowup). Like racing a short distance.


And for the best MPG:
Do you shift @ 2.5k rmps after each gear, or @ 3k rpms?

 

[poison]

Social, invest in autox weekends, or if you're a baller, a driving school. $2700 buy's you a ton of knowledge. I did http://vehicledynamics.net/ . Outfreakinstanding, I recommend highly.

 

[idrift4wd]

What is drag?

At what point should you shift (to obtain top speed) at each gear?
You should shift when your car reaches max torque in each gear, right?
Anyone know where this point is? Are you supposed to remain at this point for a few moments until you shift, or do you shift right away?
The idea I'm trying to get is the fastest way to go fast (blowup). Like racing a short distance.


And for the best MPG:
Do you shift @ 2.5k rmps after each gear, or @ 3k rpms?

okok 1st off, drag= wind resistance, the less you have the faster you could go well in our case less slower lol

you should feel it when to shift. plus you have the freedom of time, so you can keep it in gear if you need that power but if you are on a flat road i dont see why you would need to rev past 3,500. you should drive with a stick driver first, see how he reacts/drives/shifts. seems like you never seen a stick car before. practice makes perfect, and to be honest you shouldnt be worried when to shift or what point. you should be worried on how to use the clutch(correctly)

 

[dxaveP5]

^^^ what he said.
Learn how to drive first, trust me a stock protege speeding by someone on the highway isnt gona impress anyone. I tried. and failed.

 

[mp3-79bronco]

lol..its a sleeper

 

[johnny mp5]

hey dave what lip is that on yours?
looks sick!

 

[Dom 2.0L]

hey dave what lip is that on yours?
looks sick!

I believe it's an home made Home Depot lip

 

[SocialStealth]

okok 1st off, drag= wind resistance, the less you have the faster you could go well in our case less slower lol

you should feel it when to shift. plus you have the freedom of time, so you can keep it in gear if you need that power but if you are on a flat road i dont see why you would need to rev past 3,500. you should drive with a stick driver first, see how he reacts/drives/shifts. seems like you never seen a stick car before. practice makes perfect, and to be honest you shouldnt be worried when to shift or what point. you should be worried on how to use the clutch(correctly)

Mmmk:

So how do you use the clutch correctly?
I've been driving my car (stick) for about a year now, I'm just trying to fine-tune my driving.

I usually let the clutch up slowly, is that the preferred way to let up the clutch with all driving? or are there some secrets?

And as for a protege speeding down the highway;
the idea of going fast is to be able to beat my other poor college friends that drive similar used cars; civic, camry, etc If the challenge ever arises (guitar)

 

[Cellerator]

If you let up the clutch slowly, without giving any gas, you should start feeling when it engages. If you have that down then the rest is easy. Once it starts engaging, then you just have to smoothen out your power delivery and the way you release the clutch. As long as you aren't smelling the clutch, then you're probably good.

 

[SocialStealth]

If you let up the clutch slowly, without giving any gas, you should start feeling when it engages. If you have that down then the rest is easy. Once it starts engaging, then you just have to smoothen out your power delivery and the way you release the clutch. As long as you aren't smelling the clutch, then you're probably good.

I have an understanding of where the clutch engages. I steadily give gas as I steadily depress the clutch. Thats right, right?

 

[dxaveP5]

i just learn to get to engagement point let it move a bit then gas and clutch off smoothly.

 

[br289165]

If you want fuel economy shift at 2500 in every gear, if you have the distance to take that long to get up to min. posted speed don't lug the motor in any gear, say below 2,000. For hard acceleration shift at 6400 max the motor wont make any more power past that. keep your foot off the clutch and gearshift lever when not using, so they don't wear.I've been driving manuals since 1982 including many motorcycles and I've driven thousands of miles with 10 speed Eaton Fullers every day, so I have a bit of experience.

As you all know, I'm 19, this is my first car, and I'm extremely inexperienced.


I'd like to know 'how' to drive a Manual Protege!
I want to know:
a) How to obtain the best mpg
b) how to drive as fast as possible (burnout)



Lets say your at a stand still. Your the only car on a road, speed limit = 55.
Your in no rush, no cops around, and can drive as fast/as slow as you want.

what points should you shift at to obtain the best mpg ?
--Is it better to end up going 40 mph in 5th gear?
--or is it always better to get 5th gear to 3k rpms to reach maximum mpg?

Post any information you have pertaining to the subject, so we can find the solution!!! (doughpoke

 

[SocialStealth]

If you want fuel economy shift at 2500 in every gear, if you have the distance to take that long to get up to min. posted speed don't lug the motor in any gear, say below 2,000. For hard acceleration shift at 6400 max the motor wont make any more power past that. keep your foot off the clutch and gearshift lever when not using, so they don't wear.I've been driving manuals since 1982 including many motorcycles and I've driven thousands of miles with 10 speed Eaton Fullers every day, so I have a bit of experience.

Thanks (usa)

Any other information about driving is appreciated

 

[Cellerator]

I have an understanding of where the clutch engages. I steadily give gas as I steadily depress the clutch. Thats right, right?

yeah, you got it. Now practice that on a hill at a complete stop. If you can drive on a hill, you're just about set.

 

[SocialStealth]

yeah, you got it. Now practice that on a hill at a complete stop. If you can drive on a hill, you're just about set.

My driveway owns me (sick)

 

[ucMP3]

If you don't smell your clutch and you clutch still grabs and engages well and you don't grind your gears. Then you're doing fine... You don't really have to gas as you engage your clutch if you feather it properly tho, or at least it doesn't need very much gas at all. Driving barefoot is nice to get a good feel as well I like sandals in the summer time so you can kick em off to drive.