When should I shift gears?
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From: Chillicothe
As for the terrible state of MO... Please I'm one state Northeast of you. We've had more politicians go to jail than any other state I believe. We could balance out budget and cut violence by 99% if we separated everything above Interstate 80 LOL
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From: Ohio
That was my thought on it. A carb'd motor is a different story(but still splitting hairs). It's a 4000# truck with a V8, the MPG difference will be so negligible that you won't be able to calculate it.
As for wearing out a clutch? Well, in over 30 yrs of driving I've never replaced a clutch due to "normal driving" (which includes downshifting when appropriate). But, I've done LOTS of brake jobs.
As for wearing out a clutch? Well, in over 30 yrs of driving I've never replaced a clutch due to "normal driving" (which includes downshifting when appropriate). But, I've done LOTS of brake jobs.
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From: Central Mississippi
All states have ups/downs/good/bad.
I love my state & a majority of the people that inhabit it, regardless.
Bless their hearts...
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From: Missoula
On the rpms like I said I'll check this afternoon.
As for the terrible state of MO... Please I'm one state Northeast of you. We've had more politicians go to jail than any other state I believe. We could balance out budget and cut violence by 99% if we separated everything above Interstate 80 LOL
As for the terrible state of MO... Please I'm one state Northeast of you. We've had more politicians go to jail than any other state I believe. We could balance out budget and cut violence by 99% if we separated everything above Interstate 80 LOL
That was my thought on it. A carb'd motor is a different story(but still splitting hairs). It's a 4000# truck with a V8, the MPG difference will be so negligible that you won't be able to calculate it.
As for wearing out a clutch? Well, in over 30 yrs of driving I've never replaced a clutch due to "normal driving" (which includes downshifting when appropriate). But, I've done LOTS of brake jobs.
As for wearing out a clutch? Well, in over 30 yrs of driving I've never replaced a clutch due to "normal driving" (which includes downshifting when appropriate). But, I've done LOTS of brake jobs.
Bless your heart!
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From: Chillicothe
My thought are the same. My 95 has 259k+ miles on the original rotors (still within spec) just put pads on it 50,000 miles ago. Lots of downshifting, and not waiting till the last moment to brake. As for the clutch I haven't done it myself but when I did the throwout bearing 100k ago it looked fine...(now that I'm teaching my 15yo daughter to drive it that may not be the case soon) But I have no reason to believe its not the original as everything on this truck when I bought it was factory. Hell the upper radiator hose is still dated 1-29-95.
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both my 1995 f150 and my daily driver mazda 6 are manuals so I drive manual only cars. I dont downshift as i am slowing down but i leave it in gear until I am going slow enough to lug the engine. I really dont notice any fuel economy benefits or reduction in the truck, but since my mazda is new, it shows my fuel economy displayed as a graph and you can tell it saves fuel. It also does not introduce any more wear to the brakes or the clutch since i am not downshifting through the gears as I slow down. I will agree that downshifting through the gears does produce extra wear but my opinion is that if you rev match as you downshift to get smooth downshifts you can minimize wear.
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From: Missoula
What would be considered lugging the motor in overdrive? Is 45 way too slow to use it?
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From: Airdrie Alberta
1500 rpm and lower I'd call lugging, you'll notice it doesn't sound right when lugging it. I liked the red line with my old 5 speed truck. Got about 185k miles out of that '99 Ram with the 5.2 haha.
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From: Chillicothe
If you are running stock height tires I'd say 45 is fine. I have 31s and if I'm doing over 40 I'm in fifth if its a flat stretch. I haven't seen a mileage difference at 40 mph between fourth and fifth, so I run in fifth if I don't have to accelerate fast.
With some time you will just know what your truck likes and you won't even have to look at the speedo. You'll just know where to put the shifter for the way the truck is moving. Heck, sometimes I wind second out to 2600 and go right to fourth then fifth
With some time you will just know what your truck likes and you won't even have to look at the speedo. You'll just know where to put the shifter for the way the truck is moving. Heck, sometimes I wind second out to 2600 and go right to fourth then fifth
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From: Black Hills of SD
A lot depends on the load. For instance my 7.3 six speed. No trailer and flat ground I'll be into 6th by 50 mph. pulling trailer and on an incline, I might be in 4th doing 50, or third tached out at 45.
One thing you don't want is too lug it, or basically be in too high of gear for the speed/load. We all develp our own style, just remember, don't use the clutch pedal for a footrest.
One thing you don't want is too lug it, or basically be in too high of gear for the speed/load. We all develp our own style, just remember, don't use the clutch pedal for a footrest.
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From: Skiatook, OK
I haven't used vacuum gauges since my '68 Chevy, and I was in high school, so I don't remember what business I had using one on an auto trans?
Originally Posted by DieselCamper;
What would be considered lugging the motor in overdrive? Is 45 way too slow to use it?
I didn't see it, but maybe you said it: do you have a tach?
Last edited by FoxFord33; Feb 8, 2017 at 08:19 AM. Reason: forgot to ask
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