3.15 owners, 6th gear usage?

[TURTL3]

So, I recently went on my first long highway trip with my 3.15 6MT V6. I have a Roush axle back and I'm used to shifting turbo 4 bangers with a lot of torque to 6th by like 50 mph. But when I did that in this car it would drone like crazy and I couldn't keep up with traffic. I wasn't standing on the throttle, just gave it a little tip in just to keep momentum going but it just wasn't having it. I had to keep downshifting to 5th just to cruise at about 60 and keep up with traffic. That had me turning above 2K rpm and I feel like it's probably having an adverse effect on my mpg. The highway had lots of hills as well. It was rarely flat.

When I was well over 70 mph, 6th gear seemed to be much happier. When are you guys shifting into 6th? What gear do you keep it in to cruise 60-65 mph?

Just looking to get some feedback because I'm new to the 3.7 and naturally aspirated engines in general. Thanks.

Sponsored

 

[apx632]

I have an ecoboost. But me personally I do not switch into 6th until I'm at 70mph or so on normal everyday highway driving. Granted I drive in sport mode most of the time and have a trans tune as well which holds gears longer. When I rented a v6 last year for a road trip, I drove in a similar fashion. Not sure if that helps or not.

 

[TURTL3]

I have an ecoboost. But me personally I do not switch into 6th until I'm at 70mph or so on normal everyday highway driving. Granted I drive in sport mode most of the time and have a trans tune as well which holds gears longer. When I rented a v6 last year for a road trip, I drove in a similar fashion. Not sure if that helps or not.

Ah ok interesting. Based on my experience, the cars I've had in the past cruise around 1500-1800 in 6th going about 60 mph or so. I'm completely new to this platform so doing a highway cruise in 5th is something I'll have to get used to.

 

[apx632]

For me I cruise in 5th at 60 because my motor is LSPI issues. And it's bad for me to go WOT at that low an RPM into boost. For your car you probably are just fine. I had no issues with the v6 cruising that low either. I just have my preferences based upon engine characteristics. When I'm on a long road trip I'm rarely below 70mph so I stay in 6th gear at around 2000rpm ding 75-80mph and still get 29-30mpg

 

[Mustang_Eh]

I use 6th gear + cruise control at 115+ km/h. Ideally at 2.1k+ RPM (120+ km/h). Below 2k RPM drone is inevitable.

If it's really trafficky I tend to drive in 5th gear until I hit 3k RPM, then I go 6th if I know I won't need to slow down.

 

[TURTL3]

I use 6th gear + cruise control at 115+ km/h. Ideally at 2.1k+ RPM (120+ km/h). Below 2k RPM drone is inevitable.

If it's really trafficky I tend to drive in 5th gear until I hit 3k RPM, then I go 6th if I know I won't need to slow down.

I see. Makes perfect sense. Looks like I just have to get used to the 5-6 shift/downshift shuffle. I don't mind it (the Roush AB makes downshifts a lot of fun), just glad to know I'm not going crazy lol

 

[Mustang_Eh]

I used to use 6th gear a lot. I drive mainly on the highway (30-40 km) and cared a lot about using this opportunity to improve my mpg in 6th gear. However, in the evening where I drive is always busy and I found myself downshifting to 5th a lot and staying under 3k RPM.

 

[soldier989]

I almost never downshift into 5th once I'm cruising at 60mph+. The only occasions I do is to pass someone faster than 6th would allow, or because I'm in the mood to blow out some carbon.

Ohio is pretty flat in the middle. I could see some potential issues if there's a bunch of hills around you.

 

[Horse]

I use 6th gear, regularly, when cruising on highway.

 

[Stormtrooper5.0]

All depends on the traffic. If I am in a long stretch and probably wont be slowing down or breaking in a few minutes then i'll stay in 6th to get good mpg . Freeway is mostly 6th gear too at 70mph+.

Now when I want to enjoy my car a little bit more I never go to 6th lol.

Sponsored