[ZKJR88]

Hey guys

6 months in to the Camaro V6 RS and I'm loving it. Almost good with driving a manual now.

What RPMs should I be crusing at?

Non Expressway speeds (50mph/80kmh) - I try to keep it at 1500rpm, anything less it feels sluggish. I always go up to 6th gear to get to those RPMs.

Expressway speeds (70mph-75mph/110-120kmh) - Usually stays in between 2100-2400rpm. 6th gear.

Is this correct or should I be going a bit above 1500rpm at non expressway speeds.

Thanks

[RollaMo]

Your fine as long as your just "cruising".

The car really isn't doing much work maintaining that speed and rpm level.

But as soon as you need to speed up any, like passing a car or sometimes even a slight uphill grade, you can always shift down to 5th.
If your really wanting to overtake someone and punch it, shift down to 4th.

[ron scubadiver]

1500 RPM is around the most efficient speed for most gasoline engines as long as they have enough torque and the LT1 las lots.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by ZKJR88

Hey guys

6 months in to the Camaro V6 RS and I'm loving it. Almost good with driving a manual now.

What RPMs should I be crusing at?

Whatever lets the engine feel responsive enough for the conditions of the moment without being too many. Sluggish response (or worse, lugging the engine to the point where it bucks a little) means you're running too low an rpm. Too high of an rpm will (eventually) sound and feel like you just don't need to be running that high. This means you should NOT expect to always be running at the same rpms/in the same gear at any given speed.

It kind of comes back to your expectations of the moment. Running at lower rpms is more suitable for when you're in a laid-back cruising sort of mood, higher rpms fit the situation better when you want (or need) snappier response.

Try to learn how to gauge this without having to look at the tach, go by "the feel" instead. Maybe even cover the tach over with a piece of paper or cardboard for a while, and turn the radio down a bit so that the engine sounds will be easier to hear clearly.


Norm

[ZKJR88]

Good idea. I'll give that a shot