Regarding engine RPM when going uphill

[markuszoom5]

So yesterday I had 2 people and me in the van with A/c on and was going uphill in a 2 lane road. An old astronvan was going in the slower lane about 35mph. I decide to pass him and my RPM shot up to like 5500 rpm, I let off the gas a bit but it still would not up shift. It felt like it was unhealthy for the car. The it finally up shifted. Should this van be pushed like that it? Is it ok to have it in such high RPM at times? I am fine doing that on the highway but not uphill, as then it holds the gear. By the way I could not imagine towing with this thing! My coolant temp did not go up though, it's always between 188- 192 Deg. F.

 

[thuzil]

You are not supposed to tow with the 5.

 

[markuszoom5]

You are not supposed to tow with the 5.

Well I was not towing anything, but going uphill like I did shot the RPMs into the 5500 range, and the car was really loud. Funny though that the Euro 5 with a smaller engine can tow, must be because of the manual tranny.

 

[Silentnoise713]

So yesterday I had 2 people and me in the van with A/c on and was going uphill in a 2 lane road. An old astronvan was going in the slower lane about 35mph. I decide to pass him and my RPM shot up to like 5500 rpm, I let off the gas a bit but it still would not up shift. It felt like it was unhealthy for the car. The it finally up shifted. Should this van be pushed like that it? Is it ok to have it in such high RPM at times? I am fine doing that on the highway but not uphill, as then it holds the gear. By the way I could not imagine towing with this thing! My coolant temp did not go up though, it's always between 188- 192 Deg. F.

The car is fine and 5.5K RPM is not even in the red zone. You’ve driven a manual before, right? Ever try bouncing off the rev limiter? On a high revving car, that is exciting! The sudden downshift is Mazda’s transmission logic b/c the car is underpowered and needs to use gearing to give you the advantage. Next time, know that it is ok. Revving is good (and necessary) on a 4 cylinder and the MZR is known to be quite a stout engine that can endure abuse -not the 5.5K is abuse. Otherwise, you can flip to manual mode and up-shift to 5th on your own to drop the RMP but then the car will feel like a dead horse…

You are not supposed to tow with the 5.

I was going to disagree with you but in a nutshell I have to agree. This must be catered to the general populace and not the exception...