3rd Gen Protege/MazdaSpeed/P5/MP3 General/Maintenance Discussion for 1999-2003.5 Models Only (BJ Chassis)

at what RPM do you guys shift...

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Old April-10th-2002, 02:43 AM
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Question at what RPM do you guys shift...

...for normal driving, economy driving, and when racing?

I shift at around 3500 rpm for normal driving and 3000 rpm for economy driving. I only have 1100 miles on my car so far so havent tried shifting at over 4100 rpms yet.

I was wondering bc I drove other cars (my 2 friends 1989 & 1991 integras) with stick and I shifted at 3000rpm for normal driving. However it feels comfortable to shift at 3500 with my protege5, but is that too high for normal driving?

one more question: How many miles later should I wait before I start shifting at higher RPMs?

This is my first car that has a stick, so I'm still a pretty much a beginner. Any replies would be helpful to me
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Old April-10th-2002, 08:10 AM
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well for MY style of driving....my NORMAL shift point is anywhere from 3000 to 6000 rpm....just depends on what I am doing at the time.

YES for ECONOMY you are shifting at a good point....about 3000 to 3500 is fine...even up to 4000 will work quite well.

as far as YOU getting more aggressive with the engine...you already have 1100 miles on it.....GET AFTER IT. you are in good shape.

the thing to remember....is let your ride get warmed up before you start hammering it.

happy motoring!!

and remember....keep the rubber side down!
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Old April-10th-2002, 09:15 AM
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I have a first gen protege and my shift points are between 2500 and 3000 rpm.................I take it easy you know

wait until your car gets to 3000 miles and then drive it fast....it's still very knew...............
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Old April-10th-2002, 10:11 AM
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I can't see waiting for 3,000 miles before running the rpms up, If you have a problem after what the owners manual states for engine break-in..The warranty is there to cover it.
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Old April-10th-2002, 10:57 AM
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I shift between the 3000 to 3500 during normal driving. WHen I'm really trying to watch my diving i try to shift at 2500. I think 3000 miles is good for break in period. I would also change your oil to get rid off any of the metal pieces from the new engine out.
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Old April-10th-2002, 11:05 AM
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As far as the oil goes the first oil change I like to do allot sooner then 3,000 miles. You never know how long that factory oil has really been in there.
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Old April-10th-2002, 12:51 PM
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I have to agree with sir nuke. Get on it! Have some fun and live a little.
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Old April-10th-2002, 02:15 PM
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My car has just 1243 miles, this weekend I went to 6.000 rpm (overtaking).

For economy, I change at 3.000, but this is just when I am in economy mode.

During normal driving it can go from 3.000 to 5.000 rpm. Over 5.000 rpm is just for overtaking and the unexpected, or something.

By the way, the dealer said nothing about break in period. The manual just says that for the first 700 miles you can't rev high and also is not good to stay at the same rpm for a long time.

Have you noticed the little "boost" that there is between 5.000 and 5.500 rpm?
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Old April-10th-2002, 02:21 PM
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hmm well for economy driving i try to shift at 3500rpm,
but regular driving i like to wrap up my rpms and shift around 5500rpm, that just feels right, the engine loves to shift at the peak power!
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Old April-10th-2002, 10:05 PM
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Economy driving ?? we have very cool cars zoom-zoom I shift on a regular basis at 5000+ I will even get as high as 7200 when I am , what is it you say"get on it" I have 10K going on my 4th oil change friday I love my car P5 I don't think that it is abusing it was made to be drivin just look at the comercials they put out.
Zoom Zoom
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Old April-10th-2002, 10:11 PM
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For break-in period, 1000 miles is plenty. Make sure you go for the oil change though. Mine was mandatory after 1000 kms, pretty sure it's same thing with you.

For economy driving, I shift around 3,500 rpms and cruise around 2,500 rpms.

Make sure you always give your car plenty of time to warm up before revving it past 5,000 rpms.
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Old April-13th-2002, 04:49 PM
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thanks for all the replies!

I took it to 5000 rpm a couple times for the past week. I'm gonna try do 6000 rpm soon

its safe to redline with this car??
I remember this game like 15 years ago (i think it was test drive on commodore). When you hit the redline the car explodes! the glass shatters and all, then I would have to start all over. Thats why Im always cautious not to rev it too high haha
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Old April-13th-2002, 07:57 PM
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yeah its safe, but youll hit a rev limiter anyways..... i wouldnt shift much higher than 6500-6800rpm.... after that your power starts dropping anyways
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Old April-13th-2002, 08:32 PM
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Usually I shift at 3500-4000 during normal driving. Sucks that the car has such high rpms. At 60 in 5th I am at 3100. I keep wanting 6th.

I don't understand what the rev limiter is. AT the drag races last night I was going all the way to like 7000 and then shifting. Does the engine just not do anything past 600 and I don't know it or what? & If so should I shift at like 5500.
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Old April-13th-2002, 11:14 PM
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I have hit the limiter a couple of times I think that it is around 7300 or 7400 it just won't let you go any faster I get my oil changed very often when I find my self taking it up to the high end I love to jump off the line with other cars.
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