optimal regular driving shift point
 

yes i searched.

What is the optimal regular driving shift point on an 02 protege lx?

in my 01 civic, my rpm is 3.5k@80mph.

getting the protege to 80mph seems to really make the engine whine (though there is plenty of power for accelerating at these speeds- unlike the civic).

is it normal for the rpms to be higher than the civic? the both red line around the same time (civic @6.75, mazda @ 6.5 i think).

in the civic, i shift at 3k rpm.

in the protege, 4k seems to be the sweet spot.

is there something wrong with the transmission?!?

is this all due to the larger displacement on the mazda (2.0 compared to 1.7)?

everything's fine. the gear ratios are different between the two cars, that's why you have higher revs at speed. it kills fuel economy, but at least gives you some decent passing power without having to downshift. 4K seems to be the sweetspot.

Yeah that's why hondas get really good gas milage i guesS?

I remember my brother's accord (car i learned to drive stick on) you could shift 1-2nd at 2500.

Forget the tach and drive by sound and feel. After a while when you're comfortable and find all the sweet spots, look at the tach just to see where they are. Tachometers are good for talking about, but if you know your car you can drive it better just by melding with it. Wierd huh.
When I drag race I can usually see the shift light out of the corner of my eye while I'm already hitting the shifter. Of course city driving isn't even near that critical either.
Those are just my thoughts, I've been driving a long time.

You raise a very good point, after-all, cars back in the 50's were sticks and didnt even have Tachs!

No engines back in the day too
Ya i saw fred flinstone running around too lol

I have to agree with Rusty. Forget the Honda, totally different gear ratios.
Depending on traffic, I generally shift between 4 and 5000.

geesh 4 and 5.. seems so high. feels like im racing all the time.

I guess between 4 & 5 would be the norm...down around 3k for fuel economy and upwards 6k for the spirit of the drag :shift:

yeah. 3k seems to weak to shit at unless your going downhill though

Naw, it's more like a "lazy stuck in traffic type thing".