Shift points
 

I have 1998 e36 bmw 1.6L engine with 5 speed manual transmission. Normally I'm trying to keep the engine between 2k-3k rpm for economy. I feel that I could get better mileage by even lowering the speed and rpm but I'm not sure if it's healthy for my plain bearings. On which rpm would you normally up shifts and downshifts? Which rpm range and load are safe to drive without compromising on engine longevity?

I shift my 1.7L 8V Mk1 Rabbit (Golf) around 2200-2500rpm. Nothing has blown up yet.

I will drive as slow as 700 RPM in 5th gear (about 20 MPH) under the right conditions.

As long as your oil pressure stays up, you should be good.

Run it as low as the engine is comfortable with, you will feel vibration or abnormal noise if the engine doesn't like it. I (what others might consider) lug my engine at cruise but then downshift to accelerate.

I'm a big fan of shifting early, or should I say shifting fast and early, for instance, at a stop sign I would shift from 1st to 2nd to 3rd before I have left the intersection, every time, all the time. I shift at 1500rpm unless I need to boot it then its 2000rpm.

That's how I accelerate with my Mustang most of the time.;) I beat most other drivers through the intersection. On a steep uphill on-ramp, I'll shift at 2500RPM so I can merge at the PSL.

I skip shift; there's no need to shift fast then. :thumbup: