OK manual transmission drivers at what speeds do you shift?

Question

I shift at 15, 25, 35, and 45mph, but my dad thinks I should switch to 20, 30, 40, and 50, when the RPM gauge gets to 3,000 before upshifting. I've tried it. It seems OK. Just interested in what my fellow stick shifters do.

Answer 1

listen to your motor first is about 15 to 25 second 25 to 30 and so on you was doing it right just listen to your motor dont over rev

Answer 2

Shift at just a low enough RPM so that the engine does not lug (sounds like it is overworking).  

Answer 3

your method will use less fuel and less wear on the engine.shifting at lower rpm without lugging the eng. is best ..your dads method is when you  want to accelerate faster....I drive an 18 speed truck and I know!  all truckers know this too. it is even taught in driving schools. rpm has a great deal to do with fuel comsuption. on modern cars giving  it  more throtlle does not supply to much fuel.. because the fuel is controlled by the computer . to match eng .rpm,--I you want to test this try driving on a highway trip without ever using your top gear,,, you will use a lot more fuel  rpm matters big time

Answer 4

He is correct in shifting a little later in my opinion.  It's not very good for the car to let it bog too low so when you shift, I would try to keep it at around 200rpm's after the shift.  Also, if you shift too low an have to give it more gas to get it up to speed, you are using more gas.  People misunderstand that RPM's have little to do with how much gas the car uses, it's how much throttle you are using.  So if you have to push on the gas pedal more at lower RPM's, it uses more gas than giving little throttle at a higher RPM's to get up to speed.