Hey, sorry but I cannot find this ANYWHERE. What is a good shift point for the car, like RPM wise? My car is an 01 Focus ZX3 Hatch 5-speed. Aftermarket air intake, short throw shifter, and I think that is all of the engine wise mods. My friend suggested 3500-4000, but he drives an acura integra RS. This other guy I met told me 6000 but I could hear the car getting way too up there so I only went to 4000 before shifting. The shifting light doesn't work, or maybe I just havent hit a high enough RPM for it to work. Any help would be appreciated! Driving a stick is so fun, but a pain if you don't have someone to teach you right. :/
It depends. If you're looking for absolute max performance, shift at about 5500 rpm. If you're driving normally, maybe between 3-4000. If I'm just driving around town, running errands, etc., I usually go by engine sound, rather than RPM. I'm guessing I normally shift around 2800-4000.
Hope this helps you.
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Mr. Versatile wrote: It depends. If you're looking for absolute max performance, shift at about 5500 rpm. If you're driving normally, maybe between 3-4000. If I'm just driving around town, running errands, etc., I usually go by engine sound, rather than RPM. I'm guessing I normally shift around 2800-4000.
Hope this helps you.
Yep...... I second that....
Also the shift light comes on when the car thinks its time to shift for best fuel economy. THe buld was either taken out, blown, or the computer had it programed not to work.
It also dosen'r hurt to get the car up to 6000rpms every once in a while. I wouldn't do it at every shift tho.
Max HP - 130hp @ 5300 rpm
Torque - 135 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm
Basically this will give you the maximums - you can feel it when you're accelerating and get to these levels. At least I can & have w/ both of my Foci. Around the 5400 rpm mark I can really feel that the engine doesn't have anymore oomph.
Just remember, running at your high rpms all the time will definitely tax your engine, transmission and the fluids you're running. (oil breakdown etc.)
I recommend, in every day driving that you shift around 3-4k rpms.
You can't really compare the import engines to the Focus engines when it comes to rpms. The hondas & acuras and others are geared to take higher rpms.
Have fun.
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I just recently learned to drive a standard form my boyfriend and he told me to shift between 3-3500 rpm. I haven't gone any higher than that. Should I be??? I haven't used my light cuz it seems like it comes on constantly so I ignore the light and shift by the rpms. I still stink at it, but I'm getting there.
Last edited on Wed Mar 22nd, 2006 09:54 pm by tekslilbrat
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SMKNS2!!!!
The light only indicates when your car will be ready to shift at that rpm range. It is suggested for maximum fuel efficiency - not power.
I noticed myself today on my leisurely drive in this morning shifting my 2.3 Duratec around 2500-3k - I'm trying to maximize fuel milage. I have to travel double now since we moved to get to work and that's hitting the wallet a bit.
If you want power and torque or are merging onto the hwy you may want to let that baby get all the way up to 4-5k rpms. You won't hurt this engine at that rpm range.
If your around 6000 all the time it's not good on the wear and tear of your engine.
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Thanks.....I have the Zetec in mine.....Its an 01 ZX3 S2 .....it seems i shift better at the higher rpm and don't jerk the car as much so I've been going up aroud 3500 or so....for the little driving I do to work and school....I use prolly a tank a week if that.
____________________ Lovin' My ZX3!!!! I finally gave it a name
SMKNS2!!!!
That is a special and rare model you have there. Just remember that. There were only a couple thousand (I think) made and only in 2001 and the Liquid gray color only came on the S2 until they offered it as a normal color in 03.
Yea, My boyfriend reminds me everyday that it is a rare one and he still can't believe that he sold me his baby....I think he wanted to keep it in the driveway and his kids are gettin to big for it so its mine now.....I love it!!!!!
yes i have a 01 ford focus s2 hatchback and i ask ride revolution and the right rpm to shift is around 45 hundred if your trying to get up to speed fast and 3500 if your just driving
When you're just learning to drive a manual, a higher rpm is much easier to change gears at. As you 'master' the stick, you'll learn that you can hardly give your car any gas, in fact, I know a few ppl. who don't even need to use their clutch to change gears.
Just give it time, you'll find what's best for you.
PS - I used to have the 2.0 Zetec in my 2k2 ZX3 - I'm on my 2nd focus now. I used to shift my Zetec around the same rpms. Between 2500-3500 on average.
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Woah I can't believe I missed this post! 6200 RPM. Bar none the best shift point for performance.
I TRACK TESTED shift points ranging from 5800-6600 RPM. 6400 netted me a 16.1, 6600 got a 16.3, 6000 got a 16.1 and 6200 ran me a 15.9...
People people people. You don't shift at the PEAK hp. You shift to get the greatest AVERAGE HP! Which with the MTX-75 and Zetec combo seems to be around 6200 RPM.
Figure it this way-
If you shift at 5500, your shifting at about 110 whp and dropping down to about 3k RPM, about 80 whp. Average whp = 95
If you shift at 6200 , you're shifting at about 105 whp and getting down to 4500, which is about 100 whp. Average whp = 102.5 that's almost 10whp more.
I know, I am the Focus driving God. That's how I ran a 15.9 with only an intake and exhaust, on shitty tires, with driver weight at about 300lbs.
I as well shift around 6K for maximum power. My rev limiter is bumped up to 7200. The car reacts good in that range. First gear is almost a must to push to 6K for max take off. The car (at least mine) tachs up really fast and when I shift at 6K it drops to about 5k, ensuring good pick up in second gear. If you drop to far below 5k in the shift from second to third you'll loose a ton of pick up. And third gear in the focus is the "rice eater" LOL Most hondas stay pretty close until I hit third then I'm gone. LOL
boostedzx3 wrote: I shift around 6,200 to 6,500, then again i'm turbo too.
Yeah, but not on the way to the grocery store or the library.............I hope. I think the OP was learning how to drive mtx, and was confused by the tach. Besides, if you shift at 62-6500, your mileage really sucks.
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Mr. Versatile wrote: boostedzx3 wrote: I shift around 6,200 to 6,500, then again i'm turbo too.
I think the OP was learning how to drive mtx, and was confused by the tach. Besides, if you shift at 62-6500, your mileage really sucks.
Yes and yes Mr. V.
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that's almost 10whp more.
I think the OP was learning how to drive mtx, and was confused by the tach. Besides, if you shift at 62-6500, your mileage really sucks. 