Im interested in knowing what everyone's manual shifting styles are. You never know when you might pick up a few good tips. So for right or wrong here are a few of my habits (feel free to critique!)

• When getting on the interstate, I generally stay skip 5th gear. Sometimes 4th and 5th.
• I never downshift when coming to a stop, just clutch in.

Also - I know some folks that can shift without using their clutch. I did it on an old duce-n-half back in the army days. I have tried it on my JK, and I can always get it out of gear but only have matched speeds well enough to get in gear about 25% of the time.

 

In town, I shift around 3K RPM. Getting on the highway I shift around 4K RPM and I'll skip gears on my shifts...usually 4th.

I downshift and let the engine slow me down and only use the brakes when necessary.

When cruising, I use whatever gear I need to stay between 2000 - 2500 RPM.

Never use 6th (3.21's and 35's), but that'll change once I re-gear.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the response. I figure I'd rather wear my brakes out than my engine. I noticed that the engine RPM goes down to about 800 while clutched in and coasting, vs usding the engine as a brake. I've considered downshifting only for icy conditions. That might not be right though.

 

Yep, it can wear your clutch out faster.

Can reduce that by downshifting one gear at a time and matching revs on the downshifts.

 

I do just the opposite on ice (the one or two days a year we actually get it). I just use the brakes.

 

I shift RubyDoo about 3000 when around town and use the clutch when trying to get going. when just putting along no clutch going up and down except to start in first or second.

 

X2

ABS will help keep things under control on ice, if you down shift you have better chance of losing traction.

 

Hardly ever use 1st on the street. Usually 2nd-3rd-5th-6th when accelerating to highway speed. Normally shift between 2,000-2,500 rpm. I don't engine brake when coming to a stop. I don't normally downshift to pass, probably because I'm usually the one being passed.

 

Thanks - I'll take that advice. We only get ice once or twice a year. I'ts good to hear from someone who deals with it on a frequent basis.

 

I pretty much never use 1st, that will prolly change when the 35s go on. I always clutch, but may start trying to learn not to, although I have always driven stick its still only like 4 years of expierence, nothing like what most of you prolly have. I also tend to skip 4th and 5th, get up to speed 2-3 then cruise in 6. again, will prolly change alot when the 35s go on