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5th gear.... do you use it?


usaf089

Active Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2015
Messages
39
City
'Merica.
Vehicle Year
1995
Transmission
Manual
It could be that I am still working on mine, maybe once I get it completely straightened out it will be used. But right now, if I get to 5th gear, I start slowly slowing down even with the pedal to the floor. (This was pre-PCM change which seemed to maybe helped some but still the question). How often do you actually hit it and stay in 5th? And is it bad to run it in 4th or is that normal for these lil 2.3s?

Just curious... I haven't drove a stick in a long long time so I am relearning this but it's not rocket science.

Thanks!
 
Usually i only use it if im going 45(in town) or 55(on the highway) on relatively smooth ground. When im in the country going up and down hills i dont bother with fifth even going up to 70mph.
Basically i just use fifth when im stuck crusing in traffic. I feel like i get better gas mileage which is just about the only reason. But i have no proof! Fourth is definitely much more usable with a four banger

Edit: i used to use fifth a lot less before i fixed up my 92 ranger std cab with 3.45 diff. It had a couple of check engine lights. Use to lose power at 2000rpm now the bottom is 1400-1500. This engine doesnt really start to 'go' until 2600rpm though.
 
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I use it all the time. The manual recommends using it above 45mph, but when just wheeling along, I'll put it in 5th if the road is close to level and the engine doesn't have to stress to maintain speed. If the engine starts to 'lug', I'll downshift.
I can cruise on the interstate at 70+ if desired, though I'm mostly not in a hurry. I will cruise at 60+ in 5th all the time, and rarely have to down shift on the interstate.
Per the tag, I have a 3.08, 14" tires, and a 2.3l 5-speed. Get 25mpg around town without trying, FWIW.
tom
 
Sounds about right to me, I appreciate it ya'll. I am about to trade tires and rims with someone because they want to go smaller and I want some different rims lol so I'm sure I won't find 5th for a while, at least until I get some more tires.

I just wanted to make sure it wasn't just me and I wasn't just going to tear anything up. I'll try to stay with it on level ground and all of course. Thanks ya'll for the input!
 
I used it on highways but not that often. Not too many flat roads where I was driving...well, you know...the road is flat but there are many hills...steep hills.

One thing I remember someone telling me when I first got the 2.0...do NOT run the engine revs too low in any gear...it was called something (still is) but I can't remember the term...

Always shift down if you get the revs too low because it is very hard on the engine...dang! Can't remember that term...

Anyone help me out on this? Running the engine RPMs too low where the motor starts to bog down and almost stall out...???
 
Lugging. Don't 'lug' the engine.

Running at lower rpm with the throttle wide open more or less. It is at the limit of the torque / hp produced, and the engine will have a hard time increasing the rpm. It will increase as the load decreases, but generally not before. Climbing a hill, it may be just slowing down .. slowing down ... and you have the gas floored or close and it still is slowing down. Downshift and it takes off and seems 'happy' again.
 
Lugging. Don't 'lug' the engine.

Running at lower rpm with the throttle wide open more or less. It is at the limit of the torque / hp produced, and the engine will have a hard time increasing the rpm. It will increase as the load decreases, but generally not before. Climbing a hill, it may be just slowing down .. slowing down ... and you have the gas floored or close and it still is slowing down. Downshift and it takes off and seems 'happy' again.

Bingo!

Thanks Tom...lugging the engine...whew...my mind was lugging on that one...:yahoo:
 
Sounds like too high of a rear end gear. Had close to same problem when I had a 2.5 with 3.45 gear.
Dave
 
My 3.0 is a real dog especially after increasing tire size from 215/75 to 235/75. Lots of hills here so I usually stay in 4th. Speed limit is 65 but usually drive 55 due to the rough, frost-heaved roads. Happy with the 3.0 overall...just don't need to haul-ass at this stage in life.
 
Been some years since I have driven a 5 speed. Other than that I had an MGB with a 4 speed. My little ranger is under construction and its a five speed. Usually over speeds of 50 mph the five speed will start to kick in and put you in cruising speed. Its designed to keep the rpms down and less labor the engine at higher speeds.
 
Thanks for the info everyone... "Lugging"... sounds about right! I def know what that is. I have to put a cat back in this thing since someone cut it off and re-wire my 02 sensors. Not sure how much effect that has (if any) on power/accel but still want to fix it. I've also got a small valve cover gasket leak that I'm taking to the shop hopefully soon to fix.

But, this thing has 31x10.50x15's on what I'm assuming is a stock rear end. may be a little big for it causing some issue? I'm wanting to go smaller tires but does anyone have any issues from weight on a bigger rim? 16/17? Or is that a little too big. (I am fine with staying with a 15") (<---- off topic lol sorry)
 

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