My S is a daily driver. During normal "getting to work" driving, I tend to shift at 3.5 rpm before three bars. After the third bar has lit up I will usually shift at 4.5 rpm.

I've had other manual cars before and I would usually shift between 2.5-3.5k rpm. I'm trying to determine what is the ideal shift point at the tach, to keep the engine healthy. Not too concerned about gas mileage. My thought is
I would rather spin the engine a little higher before shifting. It just feels right to drive this car this way.

Opinions?

 

It depends on the traffic, the mood I'm in and what music I'm listening to, but generally about 4-5k rpm.

 

I travel the 'wrong way' both ways to wokd, and pre rush hour in the morning. As such, once i'm warmed up, I get about 10 redline shifts on the way to work - more if I add in some extra roads for fun. On the way home, only about 5 or 6 out of the tolls because of increased traffic. Car has 24K - no issues. My other car has been living the redline shift routine for 104K and no problems (plus countless autocross redline bounces and hiRPMs at the track).

 

average shifting, about 6, maybe 7K.. spirited shifting 2nd blink on the redline..

 

I shift when I do this ----->

 

Obviously, in traffic it's much lower, but if the road is clear, a relaxed easy shift is between 5-6k. If I'm having fun, it's much closer to 9k.

 

5-6k but I really try not to use that as a gauge , but rather as a minimum.. so I'll say from a minimum of 5k it depends on feel and sound and on traffic ahead

 

 

I usually shift between 5.5 and 6K (just prior to Vtec engagement). The power seems to transition better between shifts if the RPM's are above 5K.

I usually only engage Vtec on spirited weekend driving, or when accelerating on to the freeway.

 

Fortunately/unfortunately mine is a weekend car. I have a 89' Prelude that I gingerly drive during the week because of 180,000 miles on the clock. So I'm lucky if I take it to 60mph on the highway. So when I get to take my S out on the weekend, occasionally during the week, I enjoy my time in it. Casually shifting at around 4-5 on the tach. But when I need my fix, and to really appreciate the car, I'll hit the redline occasionally (2-3 times). Ah, I love this car!

Chris