[jeffblue]

i usualy end up skipping 5th and go straight to 6th if i'm on the highway and i was just hooning around. if im' already going like 80 or 90 or w/e in 4th why bother shifting into 5th if you're just going to return to 'normal' speeds?

[srezzo]

Yes, All jokes aside I do use 6th gear on the highway. I put it in 6th as soon as I reach the desired cruising speed. This helps a lot with fuel economy.

[TwinTuning]

Originally Posted by srezzo

Yes, All jokes aside I do use 6th gear on the highway. I put it in 6th as soon as I reach the desired cruising speed. This helps a lot with fuel economy.

I need to start driving like that, if it going to help me save money.

[tigermack]

Redline every time... so I don't go to 6th much.

[GMe90]

I went into 6th when cruising on the interstate without much traffic around. If there was a lot of traffic on the interstate, I would keep it in 5th or 4th.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by Bear From Jax

Yes... As standard.. when not driving spirited, be in the gear that your speed is... 20=2, 30=3, 40=4, and so on. at 60 or above, switch to 6th....

+1

[gtaccord]

I never used 5th. I always went from 4th straight to 6th regardless of the speed especially after I was tuned.

[MGT81]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

The N54/N55 engine has so much low end torque that you can be in 6th gear at 45/50mph and still be able to pick up speed without having to downshift... In a way, it drives like a fat lazy V8

Not many 6 cylinder cars can do this in 6th gear...

Yup. The 6 MT paired with the torque of the N54 makes me drive so lazy. I can toodle around in 6th at low RPMs without lugging my engine. I usually just skip 5th and shift directly from 4th to 6th unless I'm trying to accelerate quickly

[mashimarho]

I don't understand why you wouldn't? They gave you a 6th gear for a reason.

[adriang]

^ that's the way I see it also, 6th is there for a reason on the car. The only time I would imagine not needing all your gears is in super cars where they could very comfortably go 60 in 3rd and 4th gear

[driverman]

Most of you responding have N54 or N55 engines with lots of low end torque.

I have the N52 (328i). So 6th gear at 60 mph is a bit of a stretch unless I'm on a level road and not trying to accelerate. I'm in 6th gear most of the time from 65 and up.

I've been driving manual transmissions for decades and the rule of thumb I use is: "If you are in the right gear, the car should respond with smooth power when you press on the accelerator. If not, down shift".

[Texase34]

Originally Posted by driverman

Most of you responding have N54 or N55 engines with lots of low end torque.

I have the N52 (328i). So 6th gear at 60 mph is a bit of a stretch unless I'm on a level road and not trying to accelerate. I'm in 6th gear most of the time from 65 and up.

I've been driving manual transmissions for decades and the rule of thumb I use is: "If you are in the right gear, the car should respond with smooth power when you press on the accelerator. If not, down shift".

I have the n52 also and won't go into 6th til about 65 or 70.

[MonacoBlueE90]

Originally Posted by driverman

Most of you responding have N54 or N55 engines with lots of low end torque.

Yeah. i can drive 40mph with 6th gear, but only if it level road otherwise i use 5th gear. I use 6th all the time when going over 45mph, but i have 320 diesel, so its different.

[Kolyan2k]

I am in 6th gear past 50 even on s2k. Have enough torque for regular driving, if I need to quickly merge on hway then 5th or even 4th is needed...and by quickly I mean quicker then most on the road

[CJ421]

I usually stick (pun intended) to whatever gear keeps the engine between 2-2.5k RPM. I like to have reasonable power on demand without worrying about needing to go down a gear.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by CJ421

I usually stick (pun intended) to whatever gear keeps the engine between 2-2.5k RPM. I like to have reasonable power on demand without worrying about needing to go down a gear.

I'm the same way, especially on the highway with other cars all cruising along at a good pace. I'd rather be in 5th to be able to get on it if I have(want) to, without having to kick the clutch and drop a gear. 6th seems to bog too much for me unless i'm really up in speed (70ish). Which isn't to common in my area.

I've had my car for a few months now, and i'm pretty sure i've used 6th about 10 times.

[stanlalee]

Is this a serious question

why wouldn't you, like buying more gas than you have to?

[R608]

Originally Posted by Texase34

I have the n52 also and won't go into 6th til about 65 or 70.

Same for me. I prefer to keep the RPMs in the mid-to-upper 2K range at highway speeds. I see no reason not to use 6th though. It's not there only for Autobahn speeds.

[Miller335]

I run around with 100+ octane, wedge flash and map7 everywhere I go so 6th gear feels like 3rd gear on other cars when it comes to acceleration.

At freeway speeds I don't ever need to be out of 6th unless traffic slows to a crawl.

[CrippledLucifer]

Like many of the other guys, I put it into 6th on the highway. Gives much better fuel economy, so why the hell not?

[canusaybimmy]

This thread is making me want to go out onto the highway and drive faster than usual...I have no idea why lol

[justpete]

Sixth on the highway? Sure. But it's not an overdrive gear anymore.