Question about shifting/RPM ranges

[o0StatiK]

This is probably going to be a dumb question, and I give you ALL full permission to point and laugh, just like Nelson from The Simpson's.

However, I purchased a 2010 Mazda3s 6spd back in July. I will admit this is the first time that I've owned a car with manual transmission. I've driven cars with manual before, but never a 6spd. So, needless to say I was a beginner when I got this car.

My question is related to the RPM range and when I should be shifting. If I shift at anything less than 4k RPM, when I press the clutch in, the RPM will hover there for about 1.5 seconds before going down to idle RPM's. If I press the clutch in at 4k RPM, the RPM goes to idle almost instantly.

Basically, I just want to know if this is normal. What is the ideal shifting range? Am I just being retarded about this?

 

[mazdadude]

This is probably going to be a dumb question, and I give you ALL full permission to point and laugh, just like Nelson from The Simpson's.

However, I purchased a 2010 Mazda3s 6spd back in July. I will admit this is the first time that I've owned a car with manual transmission. I've driven cars with manual before, but never a 6spd. So, needless to say I was a beginner when I got this car.

My question is related to the RPM range and when I should be shifting. If I shift at anything less than 4k RPM, when I press the clutch in, the RPM will hover there for about 1.5 seconds before going down to idle RPM's. If I press the clutch in at 4k RPM, the RPM goes to idle almost instantly.

Basically, I just want to know if this is normal. What is the ideal shifting range? Am I just being retarded about this?

Your car sounds like it is acting normal.

Whether its a 4-6-or 8 speed, the idea is the same, YOU get to choose the RPM to shift at, which is why there are people out there that like MT so much! (headbang)

In the owners manual, it also lists some guidelines for shifting points. If you are concerned about fuel mileage, you will be shifting at lower RPMS and less throttle.

If you want some zoom zoom, bring it up to near the REDLINE. However even if you floor the car and do not shift when the motor gets INTO the redline, the engine computer will cut the fuel for you so that you do not harm the motor. However due to the HORSEPOWER/TORQUE CURVE of the motor, the best shift points are lower than redline.

 

[o0StatiK]

Right, but if I push the clutch in at any RPM lower than 4k, the tach will hover at the RPM it was at for a while before SLOWLY going down to idle RPM. I'd like to be shifting a little lower than 4,000 RPM lol.

Basically I'll try to shift at like 3k, I'll press the clutch to shift, but the RPM will just stay at 3k for at least 1.5-2 seconds before it goes down.