I was talking with my girlfriends dad the other day, who also drives a stick. He drives a nissan sentra, 6 spd and I am driving a 2004 civic 5 spd 1.7L. (I do not know the sentra's engine size) He was telling me that whenever he is driving, if he is cruising at speeds at 35+mph, that he will be in 5th gear. That seems kinda high of a gear for 35mph. Typically, I am usually in 4th gear (even with a smaller engine). I usually do not hit 5th gear till I guess around 45mph. I do not look at the mph typically when I shift though. I am listening to the sound of the engine and looking at the rpm's....

I guess my question is....for a 2004 5sp 1.7L civic, what is the ideal "rule of thumb" for shifting? What is an ideal rpm range for cruising at?

Thanks

 

2000 to 3000 rpm is good for ordinary driving. You can go above 3000 of course when trying to accelerate quickly. It is pointless and bad for the engine to run below 2000.

 

He might be shifting properly for his transmission.

If I am not trying to accelerate, I shift my Civic into 5th gear at ~40 mph in order to save gas.

 

thank you

 

A bit like comparing apples to oranges, not sure where the extra gear fits in on the Nissan either, super under drive, midrange, etc...

I typically shift into 5th at about 45-50mph depending on what's ahead of me FWIW. No tach, so I'm not sure of the rpm's, but go by sound/feel instead.

 

DITO. if im just cruising in town. just as long as the engine doesnt feel like its straining should be fine. now if you plan on accelerating then id keep it lower gear for a quick close the gap in driving. but most the time im driving cool and calm. it keeps me out of trouble and my driving record alot cleaner.LOL