Best gear change point - 150 CDti

[FinestJammy1]

When is the best point, rpm, to change gear for maximum acceleration?

I know maximum power is at 4,000 rpm so is it best to change at this point? The rev counter turns red at 5,000 rpm so would holding on be better?

[Ste]

in order to accurately answer this you will need to know 2 things.
1. The engine power / torque curve
2. Gear ratios


The ideal point is where the torque at the wheels in the next gear up is just higher than the available torque in the current gear.

[Ste]

it is normally just where the torque tails off near to max revs

[FinestJammy1]

Thanks Ste. So it's more about the torque than the bhp?

[Ste]

torque is what accelerates the car, not power directly

[nutron]

If you have a standard car then I would change at about 4000 as it dies quickly after that but a tuned one I'd usually hold until around 4750.

[spoons]

If you have a standard car then I would change at about 4000 as it dies quickly after that but a tuned one I'd usually hold until around 4750.

..... I change around 5000... but I'm gonna start changing slightly lower, I just get too carried away and keep forgeting..

[BigMan]

My Uncle does that with the M5... driving along and he'll change at the rev limiter when the peak power is way before... he even sings when doing it "just keep revving, just keep revving, just keep revving" My family aint normal

No Sh!t Sherlock!

[FinestJammy1]

Standard, company, car. I thought it would be best to change at a touch over 4,000 rpm. It does tend to die much above this.

[DeathStar]

I would say a touch over 4k is you want to keep the revs close to the powerband...the high torque's help get the car going initially as its all about inertia.