shifting

T

tuthpic

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yeah, so im new to this whole thing and I would just like to get it right...
I just got an 03 330 with the premium package and I was wondering if anyone knew the best times for shifting? I you're supposed to listen to the engine, but t seems to change with each gear, and to be honest, it just seems easier to take someones advice with much more experience then I.


Thanks.
 
Kirby

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To get started, if you want to use the tach as a guide, 3000 - 3500 rpm is a good range. You won't lug the engine, you'll be in a decent power curve, and gas mileage won't suffer.
 
shadyy510

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Kirby said:
To get started, if you want to use the tach as a guide, 3000 - 3500 rpm is a good range. You won't lug the engine, you'll be in a decent power curve, and gas mileage won't suffer.
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I usually change gears around 2000 to 2500. Is that good too?? And sometimes in a traffic I drive really slow. Gear suppose to in 1st or 2nd?? or it depends on the speed?? And I get around 21 - 22 miles per gallon (shows on the lil screen).
 
Kirby

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2000 might be on the low side, 2500 is usually fine. Lower RPM shifts depend alot on what gear you are in. 2000 ROM from 1st to 2nd, no sweat, but 4th to 5th will certainly lug the engine. This is where listening and just "becoming one" with the car teaches you alot. After a while, you will shift totally unconciously.
 
shadyy510

shadyy510

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Kirby said:
2000 might be on the low side, 2500 is usually fine. Lower RPM shifts depend alot on what gear you are in. 2000 ROM from 1st to 2nd, no sweat, but 4th to 5th will certainly lug the engine. This is where listening and just "becoming one" with the car teaches you alot. After a while, you will shift totally unconciously.
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So, when shifting from 2nd to 3rd to 4th to 5th ... RPM should be atleast 3000? right?
 
Kirby

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Yes, use 3000 as a general target.

Again, it's not an exact science, it's more about listening to the car and feeling how the engine is performing. If you are going downhill you could shift at 2500 and be fine. but if you are going uphill, 3500 might be better.
 
Section_8

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50% of my shifting is around 4000 RPM's, but ya gotta keep the RPM's up in ATL traffic.. [;)]

3000-3500 as was said is what you should aim for, for normal everyday driving. Course, blipping it to redline every so often makes your BMW happy, and cleans the crud out. [:D]

Third time (person saying it!) is the charm - Listen to the engine, until it becomes natural. Shifting is about becoming 1 with your car, and your surroundings. Knowing when to shift, should become secondhand as you drive. Your senses get used to the throb from the engine, and based on what's happening on the road, your senses will help you to adjust accordingly.

[driving2]
 
adrean8j

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shadyy510 said:
So, when shifting from 2nd to 3rd to 4th to 5th ... RPM should be atleast 3000? right?
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For us few with the ~23i M52tu engine the best shift points (as an average) are between 3500-4000rpm for 2nd thru 4th gear.....in 4th gear you can wait until 4500-5000rpm and in 5th...well until your car stops gaining any speed.....and it does depend on each individual car and its state of tune.....so like everyone else says just LISTEN. You can hear when the engine is at that sweet spot...and with practice you will know it on your car without ever looking at the tachometer...
 
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nadroj

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dude you have to learn whats right, you cant just go by what we are telling you, it all depends on what is going on around you and how you are driving your car, no one can tell you when to shift its a feeling think. if you cant figure it out, buy an auto.
 
adrean8j

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nadroj said:
dude you have to learn whats right, you cant just go by what we are telling you, it all depends on what is going on around you and how you are driving your car, no one can tell you when to shift its a feeling think. if you cant figure it out, buy an auto.
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Not totally true......for a "rough" idea he CAN go by what we are telling him.....THEN the rest is up to him...he doesnt have to buy an "automatic. That last statement I was like, what????????
 
Uncle Rusty

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Shifting is kind of subjective. Everyone drives a little (sometimes alot) differently.

When driving normally, for best fuel consumption, I shift at about 2500 rpm for every gear. When driving more aggressively, I raise the the shift point rpm accordingly.

I'll also say that I shift best (most smoothly) when I ignore the tach and use my ears and butt to listen to the engine and feel what the car is doing.
 
Wadula

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i absolutely agree with nadroj. that is actually the same i tell my girdlfriend when she asks for a guideline when to shift. you can´t give that general guideline. if there is such line at all, it will be 4 or 5 lines. one for "inner city low fuel consumption" one for "inner city have fun style" one for "out of the city being cool cruisin" one for out of the city gunning it"....driving can not be comupted or restricted into guidelines. it is all about the saituation and what you want to do.

cruisin: early shifting
racing: late shifting

everything in between is all up to the circumstances.
 
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