how to drive a stick?

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by bobo333

im currently accelerating with about 50% throttle and changing up around 3000rpm (no tach so guessing a bit) my gears are really short though so i start in 2nd then go 3rd around 20kmh and 4th around 40kmh

Try shifting a bit sooner than usual and see what gives.
It's a 5.8L engine, so it should be able to pull off the low rpm as long as it isn't lugging.

[basjoos]

Normal acceleration, 80% throttle, shifting at around 2000 rpm (2500 to 3000 rpm when accelerating up a hill), going through all of the gears.

[SentraSE-R]

It's all in this thread about finding your best acceleration load.

[redpoint5]

I accelerate at 80% throttle and shift at 3000 rpm when trying to be somewhat brisk, but shift at 2000 when driving leisurely. At steady cruising speed, I'm into 6th gear at 25-30mph.

[Mustang Dave]

Originally Posted by basjoos

Normal acceleration, 80% throttle, shifting at around 2000 rpm (2500 to 3000 rpm when accelerating up a hill), going through all of the gears.

That's very close to my technique, except with my larger engine I shift about 500 RPM lower.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Pretty brisk until 3000 because then I'm getting close to the tubrbo, and coasting in neutral when I'm not actually accelerating.

Hmmm with forced induction I think it's harder to hypermile because you have to use as much engine load as possible but without getting boost, without continuously variable intake duration at least.

Maybe try shifting sooner? Spooling up the turbo at part throttle is really really bad with a throttle plate.

[agent00kevin]

It all depends on your vehicle. Keeping your vehicle in its most efficient power producing state is not keeping it in its most efficient fuel using state. I just had this discussion on an S10 forum, where they guy swore up and down the vehicle would be more efficient if I kept it in 4th at highway speeds because that put it in its power range.

While its true that it is producing the most power, its not using the least fuel at the point. The point of our conversation was that the extra power/torque is not needed, so its essentially going to waste. If its going to waste, why even bother to produce it?

You are on the right track when you say its taking more throttle to accelerate in a higher gear than just using the lower one a little longer. The key is to find the sweet spot where it takes the same or less throttle to continue accelerating after shifting up.

[slurp812]

2002 Civic Si, iv only got 132 ft/lbs of torque, and that is at 5000 rpm. When doing my best, I shift @ 2500 rpm and use medium throttle. Its a fairly light car, so its actually not all that slow like this. Much lower, the engine just doesn't have much to work with. 2nd and 3rd can come a bit sooner. Not saying this is optimal, but its what I do the best with...