it depends on what car I am driving.
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
I'm sort of taking an informal survey of driver's habits.
Under different conditions, what are your shift points for engine speed when you are driving? i.e.: Normal stop and go traffic, accelerating onto a highway, max throttle acceleration, etc.
What max engine speed do you consider comfortable when you're cruising down the highway?
What kind of rpm wouldn't you mind hearing on an all-day drive?
What engine speed do you consider to be "lugging", and will downshift to get out of it?
in the G35, I typically shift around 4K. I usually redline it a few times a day just for fun ~7,200rpm. At 80mph it is just over 3k. 4k is fine all day, it gets kind of harsh past ~4,500. I would consider below 1,200 to be lugging it.
In the FX45 (auto) it typically shifts around 2.5k. Just a tiny bit more throttle and it will hold each gear to about 5k. It is also just over 3k at 80, and it is not objectionable at any speed. It feels and sounds smoother at higher RPM, but power falls off around 6k, so I rarely exceed that. It is not as much fun to drive fast, and uses a lot more gas, etc. Unlike the G which seems built to rev, the FX feels best between idle speed and about 4.5k
The BMW rarely exceeds 3k. Its torque peak is at about 3k and that's where it likes to be. At 80 it is around 2,700rpm. Driving it aggressively it is quick to redline, but there is not much additional speed - or at least it is not very rewarding to push it.
The bike... it is totally comfortable at 13,000rpm, not too happy below about 6k. However, due to traffic regulations, I typically shift at or below 5k to avoid jail time. I think at 80mph it is around 6k.
It varies so much by vehicle, engine and transmission. I had an Oldsmobile that never hit 2,500rpm in daily driving. I also had a Mitsubishi V6 that would pass 5k with every shift, driving slowly.