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Question about downshifting on the highway

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wazawski
Posts: 756 - Karma: 159
I've just started driving a standard and just have a quick question. My car has 5 gears so say I'm on the highway in 5th gear and I get to a slope. I'll try accelerating and the gas is all the way down but I'm not speeding up at all. RPM's aren't going up either so it's not a slipping clutch. So should I down shift into 4th gear and then back up to 5th?
Nov 30 2010 9:58PM
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nkmo.
Posts: 3994 - Karma: 285
Yeah try to rev match when downshifting though. Sweet spot on most cars is 3-5k rpms.
Nov 30 2010 10:01PM
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Tha_Wizard
Posts: 836 - Karma: 1,249
if you are passing or need more speed then down shift to fourth and accelerate then you can put it back in fifth. fifth gear is pretty much only a cruising gear.

Hope it helps.
Nov 30 2010 10:01PM
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NW_Rider
Posts: 2580 - Karma: 314
yes, if you don't have enough power and your rpm's get low your engine will lug and you will not be able to accelerate or even maintain speed sometimes. Downshift and speed back up and you will be fine.
Nov 30 2010 10:01PM
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Inbred_Redneck
Posts: 2776 - Karma: 28
Yup, it shouldnt hurt the tranny at all. I have to do it constantly cus my S-10 has a weak ass four banger.
Nov 30 2010 10:01PM
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p-fo
Posts: 9372 - Karma: 6,155
when you hear the revs getting sluggish then downshift
Nov 30 2010 10:02PM
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wazawski
Posts: 756 - Karma: 159
ok thanks guys
Nov 30 2010 10:04PM
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Tha_Wizard
Posts: 836 - Karma: 1,249
if you are passing or need more speed then down shift to fourth and accelerate then you can put it back in fifth. fifth gear is pretty much only a cruising gear.

Hope it helps.
Nov 30 2010 10:04PM
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Tha_Wizard
Posts: 836 - Karma: 1,249
my bad on the double post, internet got fucked up
Nov 30 2010 10:05PM
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NW_Rider
Posts: 2580 - Karma: 314
Mega delay double post!
Nov 30 2010 10:05PM
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SteezyOhio
Posts: 6044 - Karma: 60
downshift to 3rd, then gun it till your back to speed, skip 4th hahaha im kidding. take their advice. but dont be afraid to run your rpms high. i use to drive never going over 3k now i love taking the engine up to 4-5k
Nov 30 2010 10:07PM
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Skinsummer
Posts: 186 - Karma: 13
Yea dude just go to 4th.
Nov 30 2010 10:08PM
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snwbrdmilf
Posts: 22441 - Karma: 2,805
I am proud of this thread. Really proud. Who knew NSG could make it this far without calling the kid something negative.

/my moment cause someone will ruin to spite me hahaha
Nov 30 2010 10:11PM
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MCIRONCOCK
Posts: 3094 - Karma: 30
Way to go NSG - group high five :D
Nov 30 2010 10:18PM
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SmokeyTheBear
Posts: 492 - Karma: 24
congratulations, gentlemen
Nov 30 2010 10:23PM
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wazawski
Posts: 756 - Karma: 159
this is how NS use to be...you could post a question and get some good answers. Now it's well...you know....
Nov 30 2010 11:04PM
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ShredTheGnarnia
Posts: 2544 - Karma: 79
like someone before said, 5th is just a cruising gear.

don't ever be afraid to downshift to 4th, you're not gonna overrev it. my 4th is good to like 100, on a stock 06 impreza 2.5i
Nov 30 2010 11:06PM
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p.hawks
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
i have tiptronic, but i can do 60 in 2nd gear. its pretty much what everyone else was saying, for cruising you want 2-3 for rpms, but to accelerate you should prbly be above 3, and not too high above 5 or 6 (depends where your engine redlines)
Nov 30 2010 11:07PM
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theblackrod
Posts: 2162 - Karma: 575
congrats NSG, you will only let everyone down later on with a hate thread...
Nov 30 2010 11:08PM
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I.Am.Lorde.
Posts: 1286 - Karma: 403
.
Nov 30 2010 11:10PM
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