GT with PP manual driving tips

accel · Aug 14, 2017

Never had muscle car before, and GT MT (PP) is not like all other transmissions I drove before.

First five gears are prety close (i like that) and then the sixth one stays far apart.

I have 2000 rpm at 70mph at 6th. I usually did not drive my cars with rpms below 2000. And then I checked my user manual and they suggest to switch into 6th at 43 mph! Thay say that's for fuel economy. Is that ok or will kill the engine really quick? I mean, the engine would be at just around 1500 rpms at that speed with low oil pressure and high loads. And I was trying not to get into 6th before 70mph...

MRose · Aug 14, 2017

When I'm cruising around I will hit sixth as low as 30mph

accel · Aug 14, 2017

MRose said:
When I'm cruising around I will hit sixth as low as 30mph

Wow! I think if they say 6th at 43mph for fuel economy, then I should not try to use it at any lower speeds.

Don's Stang · Aug 14, 2017

you don't need to shift into 6th unless you're on the highway
2000 rpm's is barely breathing

Mine is a automatic, the way I have it tuned, it doesn't shift into 6th till at least 60mph, and that is if I ease into it.

Coconut · Aug 14, 2017

For daily driving I shift at 2-3k rpm, which is just about what Ford recommends in the user manual. I usually shift into 6th at around 45mph and it feels fine.

smav03 · Aug 14, 2017

I think you'll enjoy the car's responsiveness to the throttle if you keep it above 2000. in 5th at 40-50 puts it in the 2-2.5k range and if you hit the throttle the car surges. it's much more fun and won't really cost you mileage.

zxd9 · Aug 14, 2017

I don't hit 6th unless I'm going 60 for an extended period on flat ground. At 60 in 6th it lacks a bit in the pep dept.

LICobra · Aug 14, 2017

I don't use a particular rpm or mph when using 6th gear, for me it's whatever highway speed I feel like maintaining, then I'll use 6th whether it's 50 or well above.
I realize 6th gear is Fords gas mileage saver, but I would rather it was less of an overdrive for mileage and more of an acceleration gear...like an .82 ratio in a Tremec TKO instead of the .65 ratio we have in the MT-82

mustang1 · Aug 14, 2017

accel said:
... And then I checked my user manual and they suggest to switch into 6th at 43 mph! Thay say that's for fuel economy. Is that ok or will kill the engine really quick? I mean, the engine would be at just around 1500 rpms at that speed with low oil pressure and high loads. And I was trying not to get into 6th before 70mph...

6th at 43 mph? :faint:

I prefer 2nd at 43. :headbonk:

Weasel1 · Aug 14, 2017

mustang1 said:
6th at 43 mph? :faint:

I prefer 2nd at 43. :headbonk:

This

DarkestHour · Aug 14, 2017

Shift at 3500 RPM unless cruising above 60 at which point you throw it in to 6th.

Kong76 · Aug 14, 2017

If I don't shift at or above 3k this car doesn't move. I'm serious. Fn bmw 328s will leave me. Either I'm use to the power or it's lacking power. I put it into sixth when I sit back and settle in for the drive.

Jim Bronson · Aug 14, 2017

DarkestHour said:
Shift at 3500 RPM unless cruising above 60 at which point you throw it in to 6th.

Agree. I shift at around 3500-4000 minimum, and I only use 6th on the freeway. Around town I'm rarely even in 5th.

Intrepid175 · Aug 15, 2017

accel said:
Never had muscle car before, and GT MT (PP) is not like all other transmissions I drove before.

First five gears are prety close (i like that) and then the sixth one stays far apart.

I have 2000 rpm at 70mph at 6th. I usually did not drive my cars with rpms below 2000. And then I checked my user manual and they suggest to switch into 6th at 43 mph! Thay say that's for fuel economy. Is that ok or will kill the engine really quick? I mean, the engine would be at just around 1500 rpms at that speed with low oil pressure and high loads. And I was trying not to get into 6th before 70mph...

As they said, it's for fuel economy. If you're driving for fuel economy, you're not going to be stepping into the throttle that hard. You are obviously aware enough of your engine and what it's doing to not be flooring it at ~45 mph in top gear. As long as you're not pulling that kind of foolishness, the engine will be just fine.

Enjoy & Drive Safe,
Steve R.

dogiebitt · Aug 15, 2017

I shift 1-2 around 2000 in parking lots only. Usually use 2 to start out on the street. 2-3 and 3-4 are between 3000 and 3500. 4-5 and 5-6 is between 2500 and 3000. 6th is generally highway only or if I'll be above 60mph for a while.

You guys shifting at 4000-4500 must have quiet exhausts. Mine screams above 3500 and I don't want to be "that guy" on the roads, always two gears lower than where I should be.

GT with PP manual driving tips

accel

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MRose

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accel

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Don's Stang

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Coconut

Poptart

smav03

Member

zxd9

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LICobra

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mustang1

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Weasel1

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DarkestHour

Hi

Kong76

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Jim Bronson

Red One

Intrepid175

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dogiebitt

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