Shifting RPMs for Normal Driving?

[chuyler1]

I'm new to the 5-speed and have about 2500 miles on my P5. For normal driving I usually shift around 3000-3500rpms. Is this normal?

The reason I ask is because I visited a friend of mine last weekend and his g/f got a new Saturn ION (5-spd 4cyl 140hp/150tq). Around town, she was shifting at just over 2000rpms. I asked her about it and she let it go up to 2500 and a little light on the dash came on telling her to shift. The car seemed fine shifting that low, only a couple times did it groggle after putting it into the next gear.

So I tried the 2000rpm shifting this week and it was boring as all hell. 2500 is ligitimate but I keep forgetting and letting it go to 3000 before shifting.

So what do you veterans of the 5-spd 4cyl do for around town normal 'not in a rush' shifting?

 

[AGR]

Your shift points are fine. I typically go between 3,500 - 4,000 for just normal driving. The only thing your going to affect is a little gas mileage, by shifting at a higher rpm. And of course, it's more fun.

 

[chuyler1]

I'm glad I don't have a stupid light to tell me when to shift.

 

[chuyler1]

Anyone else care to give me some input here?

 

[cbcbd]

A little light for shifting?:wtf: Dude, that's so retarded. You figure that if someone took their time and energy to learn how to drive a stickshift (assuming most people learn before they get a new manual car) they probably don't need a little stupid light coming on every time you have to shift.
That would annoy the hell out of me and most of the time that little light would be on

The shifting for cars has mostly to do with gear ratios, that's probably why the saturn can shift so low. In a spirited start, unless I take it up to at least 4k rpms, I'd be shifting out of 1st real fast.

 

[Adam3482P]

I usually shift between 3.5 and 4k. But I go to 5.5 more often than I shift at 2k

 

[chuyler1]

She didn't stay in any gear for very long. The light is supposed to be a 'for best fuel economy suggested shift point.'

I know old Jettas used to have an upshift and downshift light. My g/f's mom could only drive stick if she had those lights.........but that doesn't say too much since she drives her automatic camry with two feet......yeah she's one of them...my g/f and I make fun of her all the time. Especially when she needs new brake pads cause she rides the brake all around town.