To drive or not to drive...

SuicideM · 09-07-2012, 12:46 AM

So as I drive my car around and think about letting it do all the work and shift gears for me, I come across a thought. When the car is in automatic mode it changes gears 2500 or less. Last time I checked, these are high revving engines. Why would I want to drive 45mph in 7th gear?? Shouldn't it be switching at 3300 to 3500??

Here's the question. What rpm/mph and gears are most of you driving around in? IE: 45 mph in 4th or 5th?? Why go into higher gears if I'm only at 3000 rpm??

oldmarco · 09-07-2012, 12:48 AM

Regular automatic mode is built for fuel efficiency so it changes gear at the most fuel efficient point.

SuicideM · 09-07-2012, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip@McKennaPerformance

Regular automatic mode is built for fuel efficiency so it changes gear at the most fuel efficient point.

Easy enough answer. Thanks bro!

abehwang · 09-07-2012, 09:25 AM

Is it more fuel efficient to drive at around 2500-3000 rpm? near optimal torque?

Grail05 · 09-07-2012, 09:38 AM

in my 6MT i switch every 2800 - 3200 RPM...

Kradi · 09-11-2012, 01:33 AM

40 in 3rd, 60 in 5th, 70+ in 6th usually shifting at 3500

I absolutely hate 7th... If I am driving 7th gear (highway driving) I find myself shifting down, accelerating, shifting back up, and repeating the process.

Yes, I get terrible gas mileage. Not driving a Prius

mamadub · 09-11-2012, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kradi

40 in 3rd, 60 in 5th, 70+ in 6th usually shifting at 3500

I absolutely hate 7th... If I am driving 7th gear (highway driving) I find myself shifting down, accelerating, shifting back up, and repeating the process.

Yes, I get terrible gas mileage. Not driving a Prius

This!!

WarrantyTracker · 09-11-2012, 10:30 AM

I feel like Drive is part of the reason the car is so utterly street-able. I wouldn't hesitate to put it in D1 and slide one of my elderly relatives behind the wheel. The car isn't going to do anything to surprise them if they just drive it like a Buick. Well, actually, the first few stops will probably paste them to the windscreen, but after that . . . .

I cannot wait to finish break in so I can find out the dark side of this puppy.

09-07-2012, 12:46 AM	#1
SuicideM New Member 3 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	To drive or not to drive... So as I drive my car around and think about letting it do all the work and shift gears for me, I come across a thought. When the car is in automatic mode it changes gears 2500 or less. Last time I checked, these are high revving engines. Why would I want to drive 45mph in 7th gear?? Shouldn't it be switching at 3300 to 3500?? Here's the question. What rpm/mph and gears are most of you driving around in? IE: 45 mph in 4th or 5th?? Why go into higher gears if I'm only at 3000 rpm?? __________________ Nothing more dangerous than a Marine with a drug waiver and a rifle... Drive it like you stole it! H&R Springs/H&R Spacers/AFE Filter/RPI Scoops/RPI GTM Race Exhaust/ESS Tune
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-07-2012, 12:48 AM	#2
oldmarco Lieutenant 37 Rep 526 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Norwalk, CA iTrader: (2)	Regular automatic mode is built for fuel efficiency so it changes gear at the most fuel efficient point.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-07-2012, 09:25 AM	#4
abehwang Captain 36 Rep 547 Posts Drives: e90 m3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Is it more fuel efficient to drive at around 2500-3000 rpm? near optimal torque? __________________ 2008 E90 M3: Alpine White/ Fox Red Novillo/ Brushed Aluminum \| 6MT \| Premium \| Cold Weather \| Technology \| EPS \| PDC \| Ipod/USB \| Fuelly :: Adelei's Gas Mileage
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-07-2012, 09:38 AM	#5
Grail05 Putcha ang ganda... 281 Rep 5,441 Posts Drives: 17 F82 M4 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Los Angeles, Brea CA. iTrader: (10)	in my 6MT i switch every 2800 - 3200 RPM... __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2012, 01:33 AM	#6
Kradi Private 12 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2014 F06 M6 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	40 in 3rd, 60 in 5th, 70+ in 6th usually shifting at 3500 I absolutely hate 7th... If I am driving 7th gear (highway driving) I find myself shifting down, accelerating, shifting back up, and repeating the process. Yes, I get terrible gas mileage. Not driving a Prius
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-11-2012, 10:30 AM	#8
WarrantyTracker Track? What Track? I was just riding along . . . 46 Rep 694 Posts Drives: Alpine White E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: An Undisclosed Location iTrader: (1)	I feel like Drive is part of the reason the car is so utterly street-able. I wouldn't hesitate to put it in D1 and slide one of my elderly relatives behind the wheel. The car isn't going to do anything to surprise them if they just drive it like a Buick. Well, actually, the first few stops will probably paste them to the windscreen, but after that . . . . I cannot wait to finish break in so I can find out the dark side of this puppy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote