When to go from 1st to 2nd to 3rd and so...

[yaristhebest]

Hi,

I own a Yaris 2012 Sedan with 5 speed manual transmission. Mine is in kmph (not mph) because I'm from South America. This is my first car and never before drove anything except my bike :biggrin:

I actually have my driver's license and I'm already driving my Yaris but I still find it a little hard to get used to the manual speed. When I was on the driver's school I was instructed on both manual and automatic cars and I have to say that I was in love with automatic cars but since those are $1,000 than the manual version and eat more gas, I bought a manual. So far I have to say that I'm a little disappointed about the comfort (I live in a traffic-intense city) but since it has been only one week driving my car I still hope to get used to the manual speed :cry:

Since I know that 1kilometer=0.62miles it's ok to me if you reply with values in mph (I'll do the conversions at my end). I have heard that it's not about mph when you have to shift from 1st to 2nd and so but it's all about RPMs however since we all have Yaris I believe that we can safely speak about mphs because I guess that all our cars have similar RPMs at each speed (since all are Yaris) or at least all the Yaris 2012 should be, if I'm wrong please let me know.

Well now please tell me what are the best moments to go from:

1st -> 2nd = XX mph
2nd -> 3rd = XX mph
3rd -> 4th = XX mph
4th -> 5th = XX mph

And also the reverse:

5th -> 4th = YY mph
4th -> 3rd = YY mph
3rd -> 2nd = YY mph
2nd -> 1st = YY mph

If you have some spare time and can tell me more about the RPMs and how should I use that indicator to use my manual speed I'll really appreciate your help.

Finally the Toyota guy told that since it's a new car I should not drive it at more than XX kmh until I reach 1,000km. Issue here is that I don't remember what speed limit he told me :mad: How it was in your case? What was your mph speed limit until you reach a certain amount of milles on your new Yaris?

Thank you!

[WeeYari]

Shifting at XX kph is irrelevant. It's all about load on the engine.

For casual, every day driving, shifting would occur between 2,500 and 3,500 RPM, regardless of gear. You'll soon learn to recognize optimal shifting points by the sound of the engine, and how the car responds when you've released the clutch.

[edmscan]

I shift about 2500 rpm and it seems to work for me.

[ciscobear]

Your driving instructor should refund you. During training these questions should have been resolved. In any case, get to know your car. Drive it, take your time and you will soon learn how/when to shift. Forums won't teach you this.

[nookandcrannycar]

Your driving instructor should refund you. During training these questions should have been resolved. In any case, get to know your car. Drive it, take your time and you will soon learn how/when to shift. Forums won't teach you this.

^^^^^ This

[nookandcrannycar]

Shifting at XX kph is irrelevant. It's all about load on the engine.

For casual, every day driving, shifting would occur between 2,500 and 3,500 RPM, regardless of gear. You'll soon learn to recognize optimal shifting points by the sound of the engine, and how the car responds when you've released the clutch.

^^^^^ and this

[nookandcrannycar]

I shift about 2500 rpm and it seems to work for me.

I would guess I shift at about that point (I don't have a tach, but have had one in most other cars I've owned). I try to shift at the lowest rpm point I can without 'bogging' because......I'm thrifty :biggrin:.

[yarisugi]

You can also shift by sound, especially if your car doesn't have a tachometer. Here is a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAjavKwcCjk) for reference.

[nookandcrannycar]

You can also shift by sound, especially if your car doesn't have a tachometer. Here is a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAjavKwcCjk) for reference.

That's what I've done in other low horsepower, small engined, no tach cars I've had where I've had to 'work the gearbox' to get the most out of the torque curve to keep the car from 'getting in its own way'. I've never felt that way re my Yaris.

[matti]

I have the 2012 Yaris 5MT and I shift just before I get to 2,000 RPMs. I've done this in all of my other MT cars, and it seems to work well.

[junorico24]

Well, the yaris isn't exactly responsive from low end, first to second gear isn't smooth.This is why you find it

a bit harsh. I hear the mazda 2 and 3 have smooth and precise shift due to a much suave and sexier gear box.

To answer the question maybe around 2500 grand to 3000 rpm should be enough. But you can't keep looking at the rpm.You

will know with experience when to change. Gracias Amigo!

[Hershey]

The MAZDA 2 has silky smooth shifting and clutch . Best encountered for now . A synthetic GL-4 75w-90 gear oil such as REDLINE MT-90 ( http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/transmission-fluid/manual/manual-transmission-and-transaxle-gear-lube-75w-90/ ) or AMSOIL MTG (http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/transmission-fluid/manual/manual-transmission-and-transaxle-gear-lube-75w-90/ ) will help the shifting immensely . Maybe the 2 uses a synthetic gear oil , the last generation Pontiac VIBE did ( Corolla , Matrix , XD too ? ) . That was second to the 2 . The KIA Soul had the worse shifting .

[WeeYari]

I have the 2012 Yaris 5MT and I shift just before I get to 2,000 RPMs. I've done this in all of my other MT cars, and it seems to work well.

A newbie would probably stall out at 2K. Shifting that low comes with experience which, as we've stated, will come as he learns the car.

[nookandcrannycar]

The MAZDA 2 has silky smooth shifting and clutch . Best encountered for now . A synthetic GL-4 75w-90 gear oil such as REDLINE MT-90 ( http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/transmission-fluid/manual/manual-transmission-and-transaxle-gear-lube-75w-90/ ) or AMSOIL MTG (http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/transmission-fluid/manual/manual-transmission-and-transaxle-gear-lube-75w-90/ ) will help the shifting immensely . Maybe the 2 uses a synthetic gear oil , the last generation Pontiac VIBE did ( Corolla , Matrix , XD too ? ) . That was second to the 2 . THe KIA Soul had the worse shifting .

The Mazda 2 is great, it just doesn't quite cut it (IMO) re real world combined MPG from the numbers I've gleaned from owner posts on other sites.

[hmck]

from owner's manual ;
—1219 m (4000 ft.) or lower
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 or 2 to 1 24 (15)
2 to 3 or 3 to 2 40 (25)
3 to 4 or 4 to 3 64 (40)
4 to 5 / 5 to 4 72/64 (45/40)
High altitude
—Higher than 1219 m (4000 ft.)
Upshifting
gear km/h (mph)
1 to 2 24 (15)
2 to 3 64 (40)
3 to 4 75 (47)
4 to 5 87 (54)
Downshifting
gear km/h (mph)
2 to 1 24 (15)
3 to 2 40 (25)
4 to 3 64 (40)
5 to 4 64 (40)

[Hershey]

The Mazda 2 is great, it just doesn't quite cut it (IMO) re real world combined MPG from the numbers I've gleaned from owner posts on other sites.

Should be able to milk 40 out of it on occasion . Do like the design .

[matti]

A newbie would probably stall out at 2K. Shifting that low comes with experience which, as we've stated, will come as he learns the car.

What do you mean by "stall out?"

[edmscan]

What do you mean by "stall out?"

:bellyroll::headbang:

[junorico24]

The Mazda 2 is great, it just doesn't quite cut it (IMO) re real world combined MPG from the numbers I've gleaned from owner posts on other sites.

The Yaris brand new was a zippy unit but after 5 years it has lost a bit of it's shine and luster.

I notice now that when I switch from 1st to 2nd gear there is hesitation she's not as eager as before. I assume it's because of the Kumho tires, they are inferior compared to Dunlops sports tires which came with the Yari. Toyo tires I recommend as well.These tires get the Yari scooting along beautiful.

I haven't changed the transmission fluid in 5 years. I just changed the spark plugs, cleaned the TB and MAF. But that didn't really make much of a difference.Her engine note is a bit harsh.Guess she's getting old.

[nookandcrannycar]

Should be able to milk 40 out of it on occasion . Do like the design .

I like the design as well. What I've come across is anecdotal, but the highest usual combined MPG I've read an owner report is 35 and i've only read posts from two owners who reached that level. I haven't tried putting 'Mazda 2' in the search box on a hypermiling site though :biggrin:. If my Yaris slumped to only being able to milk 40 out of it on occasion, I wouldn't be very happy about it. The 'on occasion' for me is when I get less than 40 MPG combined on a tank.

[Hershey]

The base model 2 can be purchased for under $14,000 . Wonder if they'll make a 2 with the Skyactiv technology for around the same price ? Be nice .

[nookandcrannycar]

The base model 2 can be purchased for under $14,000 . Wonder if they'll make a 2 with the Skyactiv technology for around the same price ? Be nice .

Was that the base model 2 for the 2012 model year? The Mazda USA website shows the 2013, and only shows a ssport model and a touring model :frown:. The sport is cheaper, and shows $14,720 with an asterisk.....and I can't find the explanation/reference for the asterisk.

[nookandcrannycar]

What do you mean by "stall out?"

Letting the car 'bog out' to the point where the engine stalls and you have to restart it. Only applicable re a manual transmission car.

[tooter]

Shifting at XX kph is irrelevant. It's all about load on the engine.

That reminds me of an Uncle who had a Datsun pickup which he thought he would be saving gas by shuddering along in 4th gear at low speed. He destroyed the main crank bearings.

Although I run the engine between 2,000 and 3,000 and rarely above 3,000, it never goes below 2,000 under load. Any long downhill stretches get 5th gear regardless of rpms. (whee!... :smile: )

[nookandcrannycar]

That reminds me of an Uncle who had a Datsun pickup which he thought he would be saving gas by shuddering along in 4th gear at low speed. He destroyed the main crank bearings.

Although I run the engine between 2,000 and 3,000 and rarely above 3,000, it never goes below 2,000 under load. Any long downhill stretches get 5th gear regardless of rpms. (whee!... :smile: )

:thumbsup: I keep the RPMs low, but high enough so the engine doesn't shudder/bog. I'd guess my RPM range is about the same as yours, but don't know for sure re lack of a tach.

[mazilla]

redline everytime muahahahaha

[Hershey]

Nook , yes the base is the Sport . Should of stated that .

[malibuguy]

I located the speed limiter within a few days of buying my Yaris...

Average shifts for me are around 2000-2500. When im hypermiling its more like 1400

[nookandcrannycar]

Nook , yes the base is the Sport . Should of stated that .

Does that mean that the asterisk means 'including destination charge' ($14,720 minus 'destination' charge = under 14K ?) ?

[TLyttle]

I've been driving small cars since 1958. The only time I have ever damaged an engine was when someone said to keep the rpms down. My old Minor ran 15mph/1000 rpm, ie 60mph/4000rpm. I never had a problem with that engine. There is no real problem with running high rpms on a small engine as long as it is serviced regularly!

The Yaris engine is dead reliable, regardless of how it is treated; it is likely designed for 500,000 miles or more, so worrying about it is pointless...

[nookandcrannycar]

The Yaris engine is dead reliable, regardless of how it is treated; it is likely designed for 500,000 miles or more, so worrying about it is pointless...

^^^^^This. If my Yaris pretty much maintains the same level of reliability I've seen so far, I'll likely get another one when 'the time comes'.