When to change gear??

If you need to ask that question why have you got a licence.

G'day there, I didn't think it was a dumb question. I asked the same of my Nissan dealer, pointing out the owners manual doesn't suggest speed ranges and rpm ranges like the owners manuals in some of the cars I have had. The considered answer I got from one of the service blokes was a shrug of the shoulders and 'I dunno, when it feels right, I guess." In leiu of any better advice I change at about the top of the torque curve for normal driving and if the load is greater than normal I add more rev's. Hope this helps. Seeya

Just go by feel.......my 2.8 turbo gu...feels happy between 2000-3500...It red lines at 5000, but after 3500 all you are doing is making noise burning fuel and placing extra strain on the motor. Stay where the torque is!!!

Cheers Stefan

I rev the ring out of mine but that's cause I feel it does it's best up in that rev range. Others have beautiful torque down low and you don't gain much by revving the hell out of it. From the figures you give I would imagine driving yours past about 3500rpm would make not much sense at all?? depends on what you are doing with the car at the time. In sand? towing? or cruising up the freeway empty? each scenario requiring a different approach.

Cheers, Trevor.

On the last EO trip to the High Country I changed gear thrice in one day, now once was after I fell A over T into a somewhat large mudpuddle helping Des outta the muck, then I had to change per dinner cdause the replaced jeans were filthy and then I had to change again into my jarmies.

Now I am not sure what sort of torque you guys mean but just be careful Crazie has YOUR camera when he snaps a pic of you changing gear.

Hi .
This is not a dumb question
Flat road driving; no hurry
Up shift-2800-3000 in a hurry 3500
Hills; you will need to do some test drives for this, to find how much the revs change between each gear.
When climbing hills change down before you drop off the lower end of the torque curve or change down so that your down shift brings the revs to 2800 approx.
Up shifting, change up when you know that when you engage the next gear you will be about the middle of the torque band.
Kw or HP is for acceleration, speed
Torque is for work, hill climbing
Hope this will be of help and experiment with your truck as they all vavy a little
Ray

Depends if it is your own car!

If it is a company car or a rental anywhere prior to red line is about where you change.

If it is your own change somewhere below that.

Off-road. Anticipate the gear you will need (experience) and change to that gear before you need it.
OK it is simplified but that's the idea. No good reaching for Low Range second half way up a 40 degree slope.

i change between 1800 and 3000 any where over 3000 its not making much power !
If im in a hurry ill change just as the governer cuts in 4300

100 series 1hz turbo

When I bought the Trak Shak I asked Peter (the original owner of Trak Shak) when he changed gear 'cause he was driving a GQ like me.

He said change down 5th to 4th at 110k/h to keep the engine spinning.

The 4.2 Nissan diesel has a torque curve like a billiard table it climbs up one leg and just sits on top, but it generates good power from about 2300rpm (with a turbo fitted and in the GU that's when the turbo starts to really get going) and peak power is at about 3200 from memory. By keeping the engine above 2300 it keeps the turbo happy and that is what makes it sing. Changing down at 110 keeps the rev around 2500 (before the change).

If you have to go down to 3rd or 2nd keep the same prinicipal in mind. I find that if I concentrate on doing that it also helps control the GU's tendency to get warm. Oh and keeping the throttle light also helps make your fuel dollar go a little further.

Duncs

when you need to go faster?

The old 2H yellow lines at 3500 & redlines at 4000 rpm. Anything over 2500rpm in except in top gear sounds like I'm wringing the neck off it!. Usually change around 1500 to 2000.

try monday tuesday - - - - sunday

I like to change gears in my 1HZ just above the point where it does not labour and vibrate the vehicle.
I adjust this upwards for loads and hills.I guess it all happens in the 2000-2500rpm range.

I use the information from tractors and trucks which are pulling on high load most of the time. The basic rule is to maintain the revs at or above the maximum toque. The more you go above the higher the fuel consumption. Once the motor drops to the Max toque level then change down. It is not much point before then.

That is the principle I work on and that is why diesels are better for towing.

There is no such thing as a silly question. If you don't know then it is not silly.

Neil

It's only a silly question if you drive an auto.

Maybe just to make things easy an auto would be a good option.