Engine, Drivetrain & Forced-Induction
Have Technical Questions or Done Modifications to the G37? Find out the answer in here!

What gear do you top out at for city driving, (6MT)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:03 AM
  #1  
SteveG37's Avatar
SteveG37
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: South FLA
What gear do you top out at for city driving, (6MT)

Here is something I have wondered for quite some time. What gear are most of you using as your top gear when driving around in the city ( 50 MPH and under). I know some use 6th, but to me the car feels like it's lugging at 2k RPM's, so I never really go higher than 5th, also seems to make for and easy down shift to 4th if I need a bit of power, of course a quick shift to 3rd is always optimal for "passing power".

I know some that top out in the city in 4th, some that use 6th all the time and me I prefer 5th, I'm just curious as to what many others are using for city driving.
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:04 AM
  #2  
aliiin's Avatar
aliiin
BMW Defector
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 16
From: Texas
it does feel like 6th has a lot less power when you're doing city driving, but that's what i do since it's what the manual recommends, 5-6th gear @ 33 mph
but i'm usually in 4/5 cause there's a lot of traffic stops
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:06 AM
  #3  
wrathletik1's Avatar
wrathletik1
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
4th
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:10 AM
  #4  
bboysteele's Avatar
bboysteele
Premier Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,346
Likes: 3
From: Colorado Springs, CO
If 50 to 55 I am in 5th gear, lower than that speed I am in 4th.
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:14 AM
  #5  
SteveG37's Avatar
SteveG37
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: South FLA
Originally Posted by aliiin
it does feel like 6th has a lot less power when you're doing city driving, but that's what i do since it's what the manual recommends, 5-6th gear @ 33 mph
but i'm usually in 4/5 cause there's a lot of traffic stops
6th at 33 MPH, OUCH!!! I can't deal with that for sure, 4 cylinder prius would blow my doors off like I was standing still if I floored it from 33MPH in 6th gear. Driving the G in 6th at 33 MPH must really make it feel like a sled, it's already heavy enough, don't need to make it feel heavier, LOL!!!
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:17 AM
  #6  
SteveG37's Avatar
SteveG37
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: South FLA
Originally Posted by bboysteele
If 50 to 55 I am in 5th gear, lower than that speed I am in 4th.
This sounds optimal to me, so if you're going 50 and under you roll in 4th, which is probably perfect for most city driving, because 5th seems to be lugging for me at the 45 to 50 MPH range unless I have a ton of clear road ahead, which in south florida that doesn't happen.
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:20 AM
  #7  
aliiin's Avatar
aliiin
BMW Defector
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 16
From: Texas
Originally Posted by SteveG37
6th at 33 MPH, OUCH!!! I can't deal with that for sure, 4 cylinder prius would blow my doors off like I was standing still if I floored it from 33MPH in 6th gear. Driving the G in 6th at 33 MPH must really make it feel like a sled, it's already heavy enough, don't need to make it feel heavier, LOL!!!
haha true but hey what's wrong with following the manual?
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:26 AM
  #8  
oOmikeyboy's Avatar
oOmikeyboy
Florida G35 Club, Premier Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
i always end up in 6th gear... even if im just going along normally. If i need that power though its just a quick clutch in and downshift ;]
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:47 AM
  #9  
dean2900's Avatar
dean2900
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Triad of NC
I like keeping mine in a lower gear than required so I can accelerate quickly if needed or drop it down a gear for more power.

The car does have good acceleration from most anywhere but not from 30 in 6th gear. Heck, the car will go more than 30 in 1st gear.

Dean
Old 08-11-2008 | 02:58 AM
  #10  
SteveG37's Avatar
SteveG37
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: South FLA
Originally Posted by dean2900
Heck, the car will go more than 30 in 1st gear.

Dean
LMAO, great point!!
Old 08-11-2008 | 03:40 AM
  #11  
myk1013's Avatar
myk1013
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 19
From: Northside, Isle of Guam
I stay at 4th or 5th gear.
Old 08-11-2008 | 10:29 AM
  #12  
cskubis's Avatar
cskubis
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 4
From: The Woodlands, TX
I generally go as follows:
4th : 25-35mph
5th : 35-45mph
6th: 46+ mph

Of course, traffic conditions could merit a lower gear. Basically I try to cruise @ 2-2.5K rpm.
Old 08-11-2008 | 11:14 AM
  #13  
IP37's Avatar
IP37
Registered User
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
6th...
i live in the country
Old 08-11-2008 | 11:34 AM
  #14  
MaxToTheG37's Avatar
MaxToTheG37
Super Moderator w/ Boost
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,042
Likes: 4
From: Knoxville TN
+1 for 6th gear... Im in that bish quick...

I go 1st to 3rd to 6th and cruise... even in the 30s Im in 6th...

I just got used to skip shifting from a Camaro SS and its stuck with me...
Old 08-11-2008 | 11:38 AM
  #15  
dean2900's Avatar
dean2900
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Triad of NC
You guys all probably get better mpg than me but I believe in having more power when I step on the gas.

One good thing about the G37 engine is that you can basically drive it in 6 even at slow speeds. Some other cars I had to choke in 6th gear going 35mph.

Dean



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:37 AM.