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??

Marco@McKennaPerformance · 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?

Sean05 · 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 Drives: 2008 M3 Coupé Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: SoCal Posts: 17 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
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09-07-2012, 09:25 AM	#4
abehwang Captain Drives: e90 m3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: US Posts: 427 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

09-07-2012, 09:38 AM	#5
Sean05 Putcha ang ganda... Drives: 08 MR E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Los Angeles, Brea CA. Posts: 5,018 iTrader: (9)	in my 6MT i switch every 2800 - 3200 RPM... __________________

09-11-2012, 01:33 AM	#6
Kradi Private Drives: 2011 e92 M3 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 59 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 __________________ 2011 E92 M3, Alpine White, Black Interior, Carbon Leather Trim, Black ZCP Wheels ...DCT, ZCP, ZCV, ZP2 Mods: ZCP Spoiler, ZCP Mirror Caps, Black Hood Vents, Black Grills, Black Side Grills, Black ///M Emblem, Macht Schnell Spacers, RPi Catless X-Pipe, Gintani Sport Exhaust

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09-07-2012, 12:48 AM	#2
Marco@McKennaPerformance Lieutenant Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Norwalk, CA Posts: 474 iTrader: (2)	Regular automatic mode is built for fuel efficiency so it changes gear at the most fuel efficient point.

09-11-2012, 10:30 AM	#8
WarrantyTracker Track? What Track? I was just riding along . . . Drives: Alpine White E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: An Undisclosed Location Posts: 377 iTrader: (0)	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.