VN_350z

iTrader: (3)

Several people have told me that I should only use 6th gear on the freeway...not local street. They say by doing this, it's good for my tranny.
Is it true? How do you use your Z's 6th gear?

rythex

iTrader: (2)

I can't see how 6th gear would be bad for your tranny driving slowly... but I wouldn't use 6th anyways at anything slower than highway speeds anyways...
Your RPM would be too low.. and you would have pretty much no throttle response doing city speeds making yourself a hazard to yourself and others.

I just use 6th on the highway.... don't use it on normal street driving..

UK-Nissan

^^^^^ What he says, in 6th the throttle response would be lousy, while you have other drivers around constantly changing their speeds.

Mike

Wired 24/7

iTrader: (2)

Exactly. Having a quick car can get you out of sticky situations quickly, just like having good brakes can help prevent a rear-end collision.

Keep the car in the powerband when you drive so you can make quick decisions.

Santacruzslick

iTrader: (12)

Ehh...I go into 6th all the time if I know I'm not gonna be stopping any time soon or trying to make any meneuvers.

Wired 24/7

iTrader: (2)

Sure...true, many people have different styles of driving.

Since I live in LA, I'm more accustomed to heavy street traffic and keeping the RPMs in the powerband is very important to me...

It's not like driving an automatic where you just step on the throttle and it instantly downshifts... if you're not in the right gear at the right time with a MT, it could be too late. That's my take on it. Of course I cruise in higher gears too, occasionally. It depends on the situation.

Santacruzslick

iTrader: (12)

Yea, traffic here is pretty light in the summer so I've got ample time to change gears if need be.

undrgnd

iTrader: (2)

I use 6th all the time, at any speed, even in a 25mph zone. I almost always skip a couple of gears when accelerating. I don't feel I have to outrun everything next to me, and I get over 25mpg almost all the time. Your transmission will be fine as will your engine, just don't lug it under those conditions. If you need to pick up speed in a hurry, downshift. You all know how to do that, right? A hazard to yourself and others? WTF? The Z can keep up with most cars at low speed, even in 6th. Get real.

Zmazing03

iTrader: (9)

Every time I am on local streets over like 30-33 mph I am in 6th gear. And most of the time, I skip 5th to get there because they are so close together (like what, 300 RPM at that speed?). Anything under 33 or so is 5th, unless acceleration of course. Traffic isn't horrid here (on local streets that is, Highway is a different story) but it certainly is not good either.

Mazinger Z

iTrader: (49)

I use 6th all the time on local streets...save gas imo...i keep it around 2k, if it dips lower, i downshift

ReavTek

iTrader: (1)

I'm not really sure shifting into 6th for 50mph is going to save you much gas. If you are easy on the throttle and just cruise you'll be fine. I almost never use 6th on local roads. Let's say Joe Schmoe decides to enter the road 10 ft in front of me, if I'm in 4th or 5th I have the power to gas it around him whereas in 6th I would have to either brake, downshift, or try to swerve without any power (as we all know, it's easier to steer when you can use the throttle). Downshifting to 5th is an extra second that could result in your having an accident. That said, I get excellent mpg if I drive like a grandma and I'm never in 6th on local roads.

myZter

iTrader: (7)

i want to go to sixth but always hitting a red light or have to stop at fourth gear

abyss

I was always told keeping your tranny in a high gear while at low speeds causes excessive wear on the tranny, is this true? I was asking if it would be bad on the engine or tranny if I were to slow down from highways speed to city traffic speed then downshift and they told me having that low of RPMs even from the time I wait to downshift causes to much stress and wear on the engine. So there goes my shot at getting a stick in my Z *boo* no strength and no reflexes in right arm has me worried about driving a stick but still eager to go agaist doctor orders and try and drive one anyways. lol

roast

iTrader: (2)

In stock form the Z has absolutely no problems cruising in 6th gear at 35-40mph. It's actually considered ideal. I hate to say it, but read your owners manual. Always go with your owners manual over hearsay. Random people are very well known to pass around BS information.

Your tranny isn't going to care one way or another. Just because the output shaft is spinning faster than the input shaft (overdrive) doesn't mean you're putting more strain on it simply because you're travelling 40mph instead of 60mph. That's ridiculous. If anything you will be putting less wear on your engine and saving gas by cruising in 6th.

I hit 6th on city streets daily. If cruising I get to the tallest gear acceptable for that speed and maintain a steady speed. Lugging the engine is never acceptable. If I approach a steep hill, anticipate something ahead, need to pass, accelerate quickly, or just want to play.... I will downshift to a lower gear. Match the gear to how hard you need to accelerate.

Please quit wasting natural resources because your brothers friends mothers uncles cousin said it's being nice to your tranny. That is simply not true.

thawk408

iTrader: (16)

I am in 6th by 30mph. I skip shift and my gas milage thanks me.

3hree5ive0ero

iTrader: (95)

+1 on what zmazing03, roast, thawk408 said

redmike_02

iTrader: (15)

I use 6th when i'm crusing above 35. But i drive a lot of light traffic country roads.

Wholey Smokes

iTrader: (8)

The guy I carpool to work with jokes that when I sell my car, I can list 4th and 5th gear as brand new.

BrokeZ

iTrader: (1)

Just because the rpms are lower, doesnt necessarily mean you are saving gas. If you need to accelerate from 30-45 and you are in 6th, you are putting more load on your car than if you were in 4th, which makes you consume more gas. I rarely get into 5th on a local road and i barely hit traffic. If my speed gets to 50, then i hit 5th. (6mt)

Anyways, not knockin on how others drive..just thought id share my habits.

Starchecker

I think I've used 5th gear about 5 times since I've owned it. I have no problem using 6th gear when cruising the side streets, but that's at 45 or above. If I am doing less than 40, fourth gear is high enough for me.