2013 2.5 6spd shift points for normal driving. What's too low, what's too high

[RobMunach]

Originally Posted by Looby

Aerodynamic drag consumes 49% more horsepower at 80 mph than
at 70 mph, and should reduce mpg by about 30%. (Drag horsepower
goes as speed cubed; drag energy-per-mile as speed squared.)

On level ground at constant speed, weight makes absolutely no
difference -- but it hurts when accelerating and/or climbing hills.

...not just a good idea, them's THE LAWS!

Looby

True, but other forms of friction and resistance do not follow those rules - such as internal engine and driveline friction. As such, there is likely a linear component of friction in there as well which will make the 80 mph not as bad as you would think.

[BossMaverick]

Originally Posted by coastoutback

So maybe I wrote the question wrong? Or maybe you read it wrong. I was saying I don't care about mpg so much. Im perfectly happy with what im getting and 75-80 is pretty slow for my freeway at 6am. youll probably get flashed and flipped off if you go any slower. My question is the shift points and is it cool to go above 3k. At the top of 4th going up hill around 29-3k the car starts pulling nicely . Is it ok to take it to 3500+? I just want to take care of my new investment and don't want to harm the engine. Normally I shift in the 28-31k range. And has anyone mastered the hill assist. I find it weird and can't get the hang of it. But I am enjoying the new world of stick shift..

Sorry for getting off topic.

Letting it rev to 3,000+ while accelerating is perfectly fine. Once you get up to speed, find a gear that keeps the rpm at 2,100 to 2,400 rpm for the best fuel mileage (slightly less rpm at slow speeds). If in traffic, it may help to keep the rpm's a little higher so it is easier to speed up and down with traffic but your mpg will suffer a little.

What may help you learn is to completely ignore the tachometer. Focus on how the engine feels and sounds for when to shift. I've noticed that my 2.5 has a particular sound when it needs to up-shift when keeping a steady speed. Pay attention for sounds like this.

Unfortunately, there is never a set rpm for when to shift. You will need to let the engine go to higher rpm's if accelerating pretty quickly. Likewise, you don't need high rpm's if you are accelerating slowly. I'd suggest paying attention to how an automatic transmission shifts the next time you are in a car with an auto.

[coastoutback]

Right on guys, I appreciate the wisdom dropping!

[Looby]

Originally Posted by RobMunach

True, but other forms of friction and resistance do not follow those rules ...

"A little inaccuracy sometimes saves a ton of explanation.”
― Saki

[Slice]

Originally Posted by coastoutback

So maybe I wrote the question wrong? Or maybe you read it wrong. I was saying I don't care about mpg so much. Im perfectly happy with what im getting and 75-80 is pretty slow for my freeway at 6am. youll probably get flashed and flipped off if you go any slower. My question is the shift points and is it cool to go above 3k. At the top of 4th going up hill around 29-3k the car starts pulling nicely . Is it ok to take it to 3500+? I just want to take care of my new investment and don't want to harm the engine. Normally I shift in the 28-31k range. And has anyone mastered the hill assist. I find it weird and can't get the hang of it. But I am enjoying the new world of stick shift..

You have nothing to worry about. I recently had a 2013 CVT as a loaner car for a couple of days. When you accelerated with a sense of urgency, the rpms would jump instantly from 2300 to around 4500 rpm. The CVT wouldn't be programmed this way if the engine couldn't take it.

That being said... when I test drove the 2013 6mt I found that it revved quite nicely from 3 to 4k. Shifting prior to 3000 rpm would take all the fun out of the vehicle. Is it as fun to drive as my wife's 2006 5mt Impreza? No, but I found it much more enjoyable than the CVT. Can't wait for my car to arrive.

[str8up]

[Looby]

Originally Posted by str8up

str8 out of the manual ...

Yep, my 2011 manual sez the same -- but those shift points
look more like they're str8 from The Ministry Of Silly Walks.
Translated to equivalent rpm, they're all insanely low, AND
scattered all over -- with no apparent rhyme or reason.

... 1st to 2nd @ 15 mph = 2800 rpm to 1580 rpm
... 2nd to 3rd @ 25 mph = 2630 rpm to 1750 rpm
... 3rd to 4th @ 40 mph = 2800 rpm to 2100 rpm
... 4th to 5th @ 45 mph = 2360 rpm to 2010 rpm
... 5th to 6th @ 50 mph = 2230 rpm to 1880 rpm

Does the CVT keep it below 3000 rpm even under gentle
acceleration?

...but nothin' in TheRuleBook™ sez it has to make sense,

Looby