When to change gear??

[wee rocket]

I've just bought a 2 year old mini cooper s last week, before I used to drive a 306 turbo diesel, big big difference!
As I am still getting used to the brilliant performance of the mini and the new revs between gear changes, when should be the best time to change gear ie. at 3000, 4000 or 5000 revs.
I want to have a bit of fun but without doing any damage to the engine by using high revs, I know I am being over protective of my new car!!!
All advice welcome.

[TonyM]

Hi and welcome to MINI2.

Glad you are enjoying your MINI

I don't think you have to worry about over-revving because the ECU will limit the revs to a safe maximum (i.e you can't rev over the "red line")

For smooth acceleration you probably want to change up just before the limiter kicks in.

[Paul]

I've removed your reference to street racing, as it's not allowed or encouraged on MINI2. Take it to a track if you really want to play.

As for when to change gear, leave it late and change it fast.

[Smurfn]

I change near the redline

[Eelke]

If you want to drive hard, change near the red line. If you are just cruising along, change around 3000-4000. Of course, with a Cooper S you'd probably find yourself pushing the car whenever you can Just lay off it before it has had a chance to heat up properly (first 20 km should get you well in the clear).

[matt21]

i think its hard to judge.

i dont have an S just a Cooper and many people say dont change til 6k. this is something that will not damage the car and exploits the best performance so i do do this often on MINI runs and when I'm having fun.

however i probably only do this 1 or 2% or the time because it does prematurely wear components, its not always sensible to do it and it drink like a horse

i know that you wouldnt always change at 5 or 6k and i know what you were asking but my advice is just see what feels right. when i borrowed an S i often changed early and enjoy using the torque in most situations. u may start off changing up early but within a month or so ull know ur cars strenghts and weaknesses so wont take long to realise what suits you

enjoy your car and welcome to MINI2

[RVW]

When you cannot go any faster in the gear you are in

[wildsMCSC]

Driving my MCSC when ever i can (not often in london) i try to go for the 4500 5000 mark love the sound of the supercharger and the occasional pop that it makes, personally I say drive the car and see what makes you comfortable enjoy the drive

[Aqualung]

I've got a JCW/MCS and its torque curve peaks at ~4500 so I try to shift between 4000 & 4500 in "normal" driving....I'm averaging about 27-28mpg so I'm admittedly not driving it too hard.

Lots of threads on this topic around here and over at NAM, i.e. http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=20466
or
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=22874

[Paul]

If you want to "keep the power on", it's better to change after peak power so you can keep the revs up above 4k rpm I find.


There's more here too: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...al+gear+change

[Lawrothegreat]

It's understandable you don't want to hurt your new car. There's no harm in pushing the engine, the rev limiter will cut in and prevent you doing damage. Thrashing your car (hitting the rev limiter ten times a day everyday) probably means it won't hit the 100,000 mile mark, but a frequent revving will keep the engine running better, and will ensure you won't fail the emissions tests on your first MOT! thats my excuse anyway

[randap]

If the gearbox is designed correctly, then you should shift just after peak power, you'll then be at peak torque in the newly selected gear. Not sure if the MINI is set-up like this, but if you shift around 6000rpm (peak power), then the revs drop to around 4500 which is near peak torque (at least it is in my Cooper).

[BigGerald]

Being a (very) cash conscience law student, I often drive the Mini trying to get the best gas mileage possible. Therefore, I usually shift from 1st to 2nd around 3k, 2nd to 3rd around 3k, and 3rd to 5th around 2.5k... Unless you're really trying to push the Mini or merge onto the highway, I find 4th gear pretty useless... Shifting conservatively like that I get around 32-33 mpg around town.

Sometimes I do ask myself why I drive this way, though... When I visit my parents I have to do about 15 miles on a curvy backroad. Back there I really open it up and shift around 5k. And i STILL average 30 mpg... oh well.

Bottomline is: do what you want

[:: Jon ::]

just before it cuts out at 7500k

[justbob]

I always try to shift at about 3000, and jump from fourth to sixth. Unless I need to:

find a hole in traffic;

make it through a light;

change lanes to turn;

get through a traffic circle;

find an exit ramp in dense traffic;

enter a freeway or interstate highway;

find myself on a decreasing radius on or off ramp;

and so on....

Let your concious be your guide?