Gearbox RPM when to Change???

1. marcinm592 Newbie Joined: Aug 2012 gloucester Posts: 1 Ford Ka 1.3 2002 Citroen Saxo 1.1 2000 current

   #1 20th August 2012, 00:11

   Hi guys Im new to SAX.P and new to having a saxo before that I had a Ford KA and I feel the gearbox was a bit better there than in the Saxo but anyways my question is when do I change gear from 1st to 2nd gear at what RPM on a normal drive?? I keep hitting over 2.5k to 2.9k revs which I dunno if its good for the engine.
   
   
   Thanks
   Marcin
2. SaxoWM L-plater Joined: Sep 2007 West Mids Birmingham Posts: 93

   #2 20th August 2012, 00:17

   Just dont redline it haha
3. StealthSteve L-plater Joined: Jan 2012 York Posts: 66 1.5D 106 1.9TD 306 - current.

   #3 20th August 2012, 01:22

   To be honest a driver should be able to tell when a gear change is needed by the noise the car's making.
   
   Let's say however, you have that sound system up full blast.. just don't wait until it's redlining and blowing itself up.
4. CrouchyM Frequent Poster Joined: May 2011 Colchester Posts: 513 NHB Facelift EP3

   #4 20th August 2012, 01:39

   Think if you change at 2.5k its the best revs for good MPG
5. barwell1992 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2011 Rugby Posts: 752 saxo vtr 02, 150bhp yamaha FZ1:)

   #5 20th August 2012, 01:52

   If in doubt go flat out........ Naa Change when it starts to feel out of puf
6. Cam Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.

   #6 20th August 2012, 02:58

   Depends where you are driving i would not recommend 2.5k gear changes joining the motorway though....
   
7. user_57064 Established Member Joined: Jan 2012 south essex!! Posts: 2442 posi blue vtrs race car

   #7 20th August 2012, 03:12

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Cam Depends where you are driving i would not recommend 2.5k gear changes joining the motorway though....

   Could be a derv saxo... Then 2.5k is high...
   And its because ka's dont have revgauges... Unless its the sport or street...
8. devilsadvocate Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI

   #8 20th August 2012, 07:52

   Depends on what you want from the car.
   
   Redlining a 1.1 is not going to increase engine life though....
9. user_46658 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2010 Little Mill, South Wales Posts: 7547 Mondeo ST TDCI Saxo VTS

   #9 20th August 2012, 09:34

   If you need us to tell you that then I would suggest retaking your test.

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10. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

    #10 20th August 2012, 09:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by marcinm592 Hi guys Im new to SAX.P and new to having a saxo before that I had a Ford KA and I feel the gearbox was a bit better there than in the Saxo but anyways my question is when do I change gear from 1st to 2nd gear at what RPM on a normal drive?? I keep hitting over 2.5k to 2.9k revs which I dunno if its good for the engine. Thanks Marcin

    'dunno if it's good for engine' - They're made to rev to 6250 - so any where from 1k to 6k..
    
    Nothing wrong with changing at 3k in 1st.. You won't blow the engine even if you tried.
    
    Bought a 136k mile 1.1 saxo - abused the shit out of it for a month.. off roading / general dicking about.. Sold it to a mate on 140k.. he drove it like a dick too - was just cheap fun..
    
    He didnt blow it up either.. sold it on.. still driving around with over 150k miles!
    
    My 8v engine got abused for 40k miles over 4 years.. only engine problem was it spat a spark plug out.. Easy fix..
11. SaxoWM L-plater Joined: Sep 2007 West Mids Birmingham Posts: 93

    #11 20th August 2012, 09:50

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by saxova 'dunno if it's good for engine' - They're made to rev to 6250 - so any where from 1k to 6k.. Nothing wrong with changing at 3k in 1st.. You won't blow the engine even if you tried. Bought a 136k mile 1.1 saxo - abused the shit out of it for a month.. off roading / general dicking about.. Sold it to a mate on 140k.. he drove it like a dick too - was just cheap fun.. He didnt blow it up either.. sold it on.. still driving around with over 150k miles! My 8v engine got abused for 40k miles over 4 years.. only engine problem was it spat a spark plug out.. Easy fix..

    
    Lol looks like your engines have been fairly reliable then!
12. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

    #12 20th August 2012, 09:56

    Yup! Strong engine's to be fair!
    
    Was nothing wrong with the 8v either - took it out at 96k to replace with 16v.
    
    The 16v gets used too!
13. SaxoWM L-plater Joined: Sep 2007 West Mids Birmingham Posts: 93

    #13 20th August 2012, 10:00

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by saxova Yup! Strong engine's to be fair! Was nothing wrong with the 8v either - took it out at 96k to replace with 16v. The 16v gets used too!

    You do the engine conversion yourself?
14. m4tt274 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2011 Doncaster Posts: 2627 Fabia VRS, mk1 fiesta + some others

    #14 20th August 2012, 10:28

    my 8vs have always been reliable.
    and as said, the engine will rev 6250rpm, so 1K-6K is safe.
    if in a hurry rev it out if just commuting rev it to where ever you feel comfortable.
15. user_29491 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.

    #15 20th August 2012, 10:33

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SaxoWM You do the engine conversion yourself?

    Of course! Don't like paying anyone for anything
16. axsaxoman Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380

    #16 20th August 2012, 10:38

    correct time to change gear is at max bhp ,which on an 8v is around 5800rpm and a 16v around 6800 --presuming engines are std spec
    
    normal every day driving around 3 k

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17. user_39821 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2009 Uckfield, East Sussex Posts: 3362 Citroen saxo 1.4 furio

    #17 20th August 2012, 12:47

    Debatable. Depending on the engine and gearbox graphs you may want to pass max power so the next gear will drop nicely into 'band'.
18. burgin2011 Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2011 alfreton Posts: 533 saxoo vtr mk1, 104bhp

    #18 20th August 2012, 15:43

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Brettles1986 If you need us to tell you that then I would suggest retaking your test.

    What he said lol
19. iGareh L-plater Joined: Dec 2009 Chelmsford/Essex Posts: 41 Icelandic Grey Saxo Furio (52 plate)

    #19 22nd August 2012, 00:09

    I normally whack it in 5th from standstill and go from there. Maybe i should of got an automatic

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20. Dany4494 Established Member Joined: May 2012 West Yorkshire Posts: 1806 Civic EP2

    #20 22nd August 2012, 17:31

    Just bounce it off redline through all gears, heard its good for your engine too.
21. Cam Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Nov 2010 Kent Posts: 8439 Gen 7 Celica 190.

    #21 22nd August 2012, 17:33

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Dany4494 Just bounce it off redline through all gears, heard its good for your engine too.

    Hur hur funny guy.
22. burgin2011 Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2011 alfreton Posts: 533 saxoo vtr mk1, 104bhp

    #22 25th August 2012, 21:52

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Dany4494 Just bounce it off redline through all gears, heard its good for your engine too.

    are you being serious ?
23. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

    #23 25th August 2012, 23:14

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by burgin2011 are you being serious ?

    definitely not.