Do you use fifth gear much?

**Santa Fe** · #1 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 03:12 PM

Most of my driving is on country lanes and some Interstates. I seem to find my self getting up to speed in fourth and then just shifting to sixth if I'm cruising. If I'm in the mountains I mostly stay in fourth as the highest gear because the two over drive gears don't pull as nicely. Does anyone stay in fifth much?

**Swampcroc** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 03:25 PM

Funny you should mention this. My tendency is to forget about 6th gear altogether....force of habit from useof a 5 speed. I catch myself and sometimes have to look at the shifter position to make certain I shifted to 6th. Getting better, though.

vthee · #3 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 03:59 PM

yeah i forget i have a 6th gear... i have to remind myself sometime. hahah [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/tounge_smile.gif[/img]

**smounic** · #4 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 04:03 PM

I've been driving an automoatic for about 10 years so I've been relearning as I go. I'm just as likely to hit 6th as 5th, it all depends on what I'm doing.

That said, is there any harm in running in 3rd or 4th gear for extended periods when I'm in the city? This is my daily driver so my speeds are up and down throughout my drive. I hate to put it in 6th to cruise at 40 mph. Any suggestions?

**fmarshall** · #5 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 04:09 PM

4K is where you ought to be, if you will be needing power - curvy roads, ramp acceleration, etc. Normal cruise should be 2,800-3,300 RPM. And its a good idea to remember certain rpm, mph, gear combos for in town.

**Santa Fe** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 04:10 PM

smounic - driving at 40mph in 6th will mean that you will be 'lugging' the engine too much. No harm in running in the lower gears.

**Aaron** · #7 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 04:17 PM

I do the 4th to 6th shift as well but 5th doesn't get ignored by me.

This is my first car with 6 gears and I love the feeling of downshifting from 6th to 5th.

**ploc36** · #8 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 04:21 PM

Mostly city driving, first 4 gears only. [img]/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/embaressed_smile.gif[/img]

K-Man-sculpture.net · #9 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 05:19 PM

I'll sometimes even go from second to sixth if I've punched it and third to sixth also happens. Forth to sixth is more frequent, so yes Santa Fe I'm with you and my 5th hasn't really got much use.

**Cayman Jason** · #10 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 05:52 PM

Unless Im driving in a spirited manner, I generally go from 2nd to 4th to 6th. Thus, I rarely see 3rd or 5th.

YLW GATR · #11 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 05:56 PM

Odd, I never skip gears on the upshift.

I spend time in 5th when on the freeway at a good rate of speed,60-80 mph,and with a high volume of cars. I don't go to 6th b/c I want higher rpms to manuever more quickly or pass if necessary.

**BiggerTwin** · #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 06:56 PM

I use them all. I will pick the highest gear without lugging the motor if I am just cruising and row through the gears to keep the revs and mechanical music up when having fun.5th probably doesn't get used a lot since 3rd and4th are more fun and 6th gets better mileage while cruising. I do pass through5th on my way up to 6th or down to 4th since the clutch, stick and shiftfeel so good.

Alan

PACayman · #13 (**permalink**) 07-13-2006, 08:01 PM

I live (and drive) a plethora [/quote]of roads from back country, to open highway, to gridlock. I run thur all my gears at one time or another. However 5th does seem to be onlyused as a transition on the highway to 6th.