New manual driver

[TiKeM]

Hey guys I just bought a 2017 Ford Mustang Gt/cs and I’m fairly new at driving manual . So I just had a couple of questions cuz I couldn’t find them online. I live in Canada and we go by km/h. So I just wanted to know when I’m on the highway the speed limit is 100km/h (or 65mph) and I wanted to know what the cruising RPM is for fifth gear or sixth gear and when you guys are driving that speed what’s the gear you should be in?.

Sponsored

 

[ice445]

Manuel can be temperamental at times, you have to give him plenty of time between gears or he will get upset with you.

As for cruising speed, I just toss it in 6th at anything over 60. You get the best MPG that way. If you need to accelerate and you're under 2000RPM, downshift.

 

[NoVaGT]

I know Manuel. He's kind of an ass, hard to get along with at times.

 

[NGOT8R]

You’re fine to run your car in 5th gear at highway speeds with no problems at all. I very rarely use 6th gear on the highway. Just did a 1300+ mile drive on the interstate and probably used 6th gear 2-3 times very briefly. To me, the car lays over in 6th (as it should, to serve as an overdrive) and therefore, I like 5th gear best for 99% of my highway driving. I frequently run 80-90 mph in 5th gear on the highway and believe it or not, my car did not seem to get horrible gas mileage using this method either.

 

[sjmurphy34]

It really depends on which gears you have. The 3.73's are shorter so you'll be at a higher rpm compared to the 3.31's. I don't like to shift to 6th unless I'm above 55-60mph or so but with 3.31's you could probably stay in 5th a little longer without RPM being too high.

 

[thunderstrike]

I use 6th gear, keeping an eye on RPM, above 1500 RPM, down shift as necessary for more power and passing. When you feel, hear lugging engine noise, down shift. Using your ear and feel is good, in addition to watching RPM gauge.

 

[emcmtony]

For me, when I am over 45MPH or around 70 km/hr I am shifting to 5th gear unless I am trying to get ahead of someone or manuever around. After I hit 55 MPH or around 90 km/hour I am in 6th. Can't do much other than cruise in 5th and/or 6th so if i need to get around someone, I downshift to 4th and do what I need to do until cruising again.

 

[StangTime]

You will be fine in 6th gear at 100km/h and lower speeds to a point. Just never let the engine "lug" by using too high a gear with the accelerator down. Any condition where the RPM's are dropping below 1500RPM, drop down a gear.

 

[Torched10]

Just be careful downshifting.be sure what gear your going into.eg if you go from 5th. To 4th make sure you're not going into 2nd by mistake.so in the beginning slowly let clutch up when downshifting,and watch Rpm's.if they jump alot back off clutch

 

[CJJon]

I'd rather have a Manuela, she shifts so smooth!

 

[Rapid Red]

Just be careful downshifting.be sure what gear your going into.eg if you go from 5th. To 4th make sure you're not going into 2nd by mistake.so in the beginning slowly let clutch up when downshifting,and watch Rpm's.if they jump alot back off clutch

Why can he not use his ears to know he's not in the correct gear?

Best advice given so far came from Stangtime. Can drive 6th gear @ 40mph. It is hilly her so inclines are frequent. Up shift to 5th, reach over crest back to 6th, drive on.

 

[CJJon]

Just be careful downshifting.be sure what gear your going into.eg if you go from 5th. To 4th make sure you're not going into 2nd by mistake.so in the beginning slowly let clutch up when downshifting,and watch Rpm's.if they jump alot back off clutch

 

[spaz mk will]

Fifth is 1:1 ratio in the 15-17 cars. At 65 you should be in 6th pretty easily. GT/CS means you also have a lower number/higher rear gear (3.31 or maybe 3.55, that was optional) vs the PP cars with a 3.73. On my 18 I use 6th with my 3.55 rear down to maybe 55mph, feels like it lugs below that speed and RPMs (maybe 1600 by memory). For 18+ cars, 4th is 1:1 and 5th is an intermediate overdrive, around .83 I think. 6th in either car is around .62

Enjoy the manual journey, this is my first stick car too and it’s been very fun.

 

[CJJon]

Why can he not use his ears to know he's not in the correct gear?

Best advice given so far came from Stangtime. Can drive 6th gear @ 40mph. It is hilly her so inclines are frequent. Up shift to 5th, reach over crest back to 6th, drive on.

I never look at my speed. Had someone ask me how fast 2d gear was once and I really couldn't answer. I am one of those that needs a big red light to tell me I am red lining!

Sponsored