Driving Around Town Question - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

TheBlackPearl · 10-21-2013

I just got my first Corvette last week, which is also my first manual trans car. My question is when you're driving around town what are your shift habits, gears you usually use? How slow can you go in 3rd? Do you ever use 2nd other than tight slow turns?

Kevin · 10-21-2013

i usually shift around 2500 or 3000 rpm...as for the rest I don't really drive my car around town. too afraid of someone hitting me

WARP TEN · 10-21-2013

I also shift around 2500-3000 around town. I generally don't lug it down below about 1800. When I come to a stop I usually put it in neutral unless I am moving right away. If you are sitting in traffic putting it in neutral relieves stress on the throwout bearing as I understand it. When I want to run it I wait until oil temp is at least 150 degrees, usually 160. Your mileage may vary. --Bob

We Gone · 10-21-2013

Same 2500-3000rpms, sometimes up to 4500 just to hear it sing. neutral as soon as I know i'm going to stop.

tccrab · 10-22-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin

i usually shift around 2500 or 3000 rpm...as for the rest I don't really drive my car around town. too afraid of someone hitting me

I absolutely agree.
I HATE driving Girlfriend in town.
Each and every stoplight is an open invitation for some (pick distracted driver of choice) to run into the back of me.
I just know that Allstate would total my car if they found out that just the rear bumper corner trim of my '90 was made of unobtanium. (we won't even talk about the bumper cover or rear quarter panels)......
Open road, no problem.
The "Go Pedal" will save me from nearly all the other idiots on the road, no matter what they might try to do.
My real fear is watching that minivan in the rear view mirror at the stoplight that can't stop in time because she/he's on the phone or distracted by the 399 kids in the back.
Think I'll probably need therapy.......

Oh yes, shifting.....
Usually between 2500 and 7500 depending on the mood.
;-)

'Crabs

BigJohn · 10-22-2013

Just use what ever gear feels comfortable and don't let it lug or buck!!!

Bob Eyres · 10-22-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJohn

Just use what ever gear feels comfortable and don't let it lug or buck!!!

Exactly. Forget about the tach and just listen to the beast. After a while you will know where it wants to be.
The most common mistake that I see drivers do is lug the motor. It's not good for the engine, and it causes you to be vulnerable, without torque to pull out of a bad situation. Besides this engine just loves to rev, so keep the revs up.
But most of all, keep putting miles on it, and you will "become one with the Beast".

efnfast · 10-21-2013

The tach really dictates when to shift. 2500-3000 is a nice sweet spot, but don't be afraid of 7 grand.

8cam · 10-22-2013

Coming from euro engines, the idea of a car that can pull away cleanly from a stop in 3rd gear just amazes me. Not that I would make a habit of it, but that great big torque figure is definitely an asset. Sure winding it out is great fun but not practical most of the time. Sometimes after a long tiring day, even in the Ferrari, I just loaf along and short shift enjoying a relaxing drive. As long as you hit the next gear at least 1500rpm, you're fine.

Then again, hitting the next gear at five grand is fun because it means the last one was seven!

Schrade · 10-22-2013

As said twice, don't lug the engine. Dual Mass Flywheel does NOT like lugging, and will break.

And welcome onto the boards there.........

10-21-2013	#1
TheBlackPearl Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 50	Driving Around Town Question I just got my first Corvette last week, which is also my first manual trans car. My question is when you're driving around town what are your shift habits, gears you usually use? How slow can you go in 3rd? Do you ever use 2nd other than tight slow turns?

10-21-2013	#2
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,624	Re: Driving Around Town Question i usually shift around 2500 or 3000 rpm...as for the rest I don't really drive my car around town. too afraid of someone hitting me __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

10-21-2013	#3
WARP TEN Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lake Bluff, IL Posts: 2,145	Re: Driving Around Town Question I also shift around 2500-3000 around town. I generally don't lug it down below about 1800. When I come to a stop I usually put it in neutral unless I am moving right away. If you are sitting in traffic putting it in neutral relieves stress on the throwout bearing as I understand it. When I want to run it I wait until oil temp is at least 150 degrees, usually 160. Your mileage may vary. --Bob __________________ 2016 Long Beach Red Z06 #10281 "POPS Z" 1995 Polo Green #409 "WARP TEN"--Haibeck 350/510 package, 4.10s, Hurst, Stock Exhaust with QTP Cutouts --Sold but still running strong 1993 Quasar Blue #161 "HIL KING" --Sold but still running strong, now with more than 120,000 miles 1967 Marlboro Maroon/Saddle Corvette Coupe 300 hp/4-spd --Sold a long time ago ZR-1 Net Registry Founding Member #95 NCM Lifetime Member Favorite Quote--Attributed to Mickey Thompson: "Too Much Horsepower is Almost Enough"

10-21-2013	#4
We Gone Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,170	Re: Driving Around Town Question Same 2500-3000rpms, sometimes up to 4500 just to hear it sing. neutral as soon as I know i'm going to stop. __________________ Steve 1990 Steel Blue/Black #2355 1990 Red/Red #1473 1991 Quasar /Black #118 Sold 1991 Turquoise/Black #766 Parted Out 1993 Yellow/White #179 Sold 1990 Black/Gray #1361 Headers/4:10s Sold

10-22-2013	#6
BigJohn Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ledyard,CT Posts: 8,335	Re: Driving Around Town Question Just use what ever gear feels comfortable and don't let it lug or buck!!!

10-21-2013	#8
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,580	Re: Driving Around Town Question The tach really dictates when to shift. 2500-3000 is a nice sweet spot, but don't be afraid of 7 grand.

10-22-2013	#9
8cam Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 450	Re: Driving Around Town Question Coming from euro engines, the idea of a car that can pull away cleanly from a stop in 3rd gear just amazes me. Not that I would make a habit of it, but that great big torque figure is definitely an asset. Sure winding it out is great fun but not practical most of the time. Sometimes after a long tiring day, even in the Ferrari, I just loaf along and short shift enjoying a relaxing drive. As long as you hit the next gear at least 1500rpm, you're fine. Then again, hitting the next gear at five grand is fun because it means the last one was seven!

10-22-2013	#10
Schrade Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NC Posts: 1,783	Re: Driving Around Town Question As said twice, don't lug the engine. Dual Mass Flywheel does NOT like lugging, and will break. And welcome onto the boards there......... Last edited by Schrade; 10-22-2013 at 11:50 AM.