My new to me 2001 GT is a blast! All I want to do is drive the crazy thing. Anyway, since I purchased the car second hand I didn't get an owners manual. I was wondering where Ford says I should shift gears. Using the tach I seem to be around 2500 RPM in each gear. Is this about right for trying to ride the fence on fuel economy and enough power to keep from lugging the thing?
GT Shifting
- Thread starter woodly1069
- Start date
Twista
Active Member
Its easy with an nonpi.. i shift when my exhaust only gets louder, but im not gaining much speed lol.. damn non pi's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
2500-3000 is fine for a shift point.
2500-3000 is fine for a shift point.
Crzyhrse
Active Member
2000fordstanggt
Member
BlackGT4.6
New Member
That's what I am talking about. Is there any other way to shift?1 response in 52 views. Looks like we got alot of 5,000RPM shifters on this site.
Betrayer00GT
Member
My manual says to be in 5th by either 40 or 45 MPH, I don't recall which of those two it is. Either is pretty ridiculous, I do remember that. Basically, they want you to go to the next gear at ~1500RPMs, if I remember right. Obviously this is impractical most of the time. I have done it in the past, when you up shift, you end up a bit above idle. It does not bog if you are accelerating like a granny with a back seat full of eggs. That is the best fuel economy, though.
The thing Is, I don't drive like that. I have at one time or another, like when my gas light has been staring me down for the last, well, forever. Other than that, the manual can go to hell on shift points. Closest I do to their recommendations is shifting at the "shift tone" drone of my flows, ~2100RPM.
BTW, I have a T45 in my 2000, so there are some different gear rations involved if your '01 is a TR3650 and not a T45 like mine (some '01s are, some are not - that is the year they made the transition). I think it is only first gear that is different in ratio, though. Maybe not.
The thing Is, I don't drive like that. I have at one time or another, like when my gas light has been staring me down for the last, well, forever. Other than that, the manual can go to hell on shift points. Closest I do to their recommendations is shifting at the "shift tone" drone of my flows, ~2100RPM.
BTW, I have a T45 in my 2000, so there are some different gear rations involved if your '01 is a TR3650 and not a T45 like mine (some '01s are, some are not - that is the year they made the transition). I think it is only first gear that is different in ratio, though. Maybe not.
The manual sucks. It tells you to shift to 3rd gear by 20MPH.
If you want fuel economy, basically shift at 1500RPM.
But for normal Mustang drivers, usually 2000RPM for easy driving and 3000RPM for spirited driving.
If i'm cruising, i try to keep it around 2000-3000 RPM. If i go above 3000 i'll upshift a gear. If i slow and my RPM's drop below 2000, i downshift a gear
If you want fuel economy, basically shift at 1500RPM.
But for normal Mustang drivers, usually 2000RPM for easy driving and 3000RPM for spirited driving.
If i'm cruising, i try to keep it around 2000-3000 RPM. If i go above 3000 i'll upshift a gear. If i slow and my RPM's drop below 2000, i downshift a gear
twogts4us
15 Year Member
You don't have to worry too much about 'lugging' these V8 motors...they don't make tons of power down low, but they don't mind pulling from low RPMs. If you want fuel economy (and face it, these days we all are getting tired of $3+ a gallon), you should be shifting early.
eliteJAE
Member
I used to make it a habit of shifting at relatively low rpms, which felt crappy in a mustang and I thought it would save me gas. Nowadays, I shift at ~2K and I seem to get better mileage this way 
it probably has alot to do with the fact that Ill stay in one gear at higher rpms, than switching around two gears at low rpms trying to get around traffic.
it probably has alot to do with the fact that Ill stay in one gear at higher rpms, than switching around two gears at low rpms trying to get around traffic.In my 02 GT, I usually shift around 3000, just seems to shift and drive better for me that way, that is unless I am out playing around then its more like 5000-5500.
But with stock gears 2500 should be ok to shift at for normal driving. I personally try not to let the RPM drop under 2K for driving around town.
BTW, being in 5th gear at 45mph is just stupid IMHO.
~K
But with stock gears 2500 should be ok to shift at for normal driving. I personally try not to let the RPM drop under 2K for driving around town.
BTW, being in 5th gear at 45mph is just stupid IMHO.
~K
fast97gt
Active Member
geoffsgt
Member
The manual says 2nd gear at 12mph, 3rd at 20mph, 4th at 30mph, 5th at 40mph. Its pretty ridiculous, but that's where they recommend for the most efficient driving. And as you add mods that can take away from your bottom end but add to your mid and top end, it'll get ugly - car won't like it at all. You love the car, so drive it at the speeds (/accelerations) you like to feel, and the exhaust notes you like to hear. And if you want to save gas, just step lightly, and what rpm you shift at won't help nearly as much as how far you push the pedal.
deftsound
Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
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