Question: When Sonic Says "Shift Me" You Say?

[atx_sonic]

I see the sonics with manual transmissions come with a shift indicator to let driver's know when the sonic thinks it might be nice to chose a new gear.

I've noticed that the sonic often wants to be shifted early which forces very low RPMs. I suspect GM programmed it this way so we maximize fuel efficiency. But often I fear I will force a stall if I shift at those low RPMs when the indicator lights up.

Does anyone out there follow the shift indicator religiously?

 

[Fry]

That shifty light? I really like the little bugger, though I don't use it anymore. It's helpful when you're new to the car or a MT.

And to your implied question, yes you can shift at those points without stalling as long as you're not going up a hill or something. The light isn't so much for accelerating, but for when you're cruising and therefore might as well maximize fuel economy. So if you're intending to maintain your speed down a road, I'd say listen to the little fuel miser light. If you're still accelerating or about to do some whacky loop-de-loops, tell the light to go away!

opcorn:

 

[SONIC1.4]

Its for mpg use, and I use to use it up until I got tuned.

 

[Swordsmith]

To answer your question, I say "man, I keep forgetting to put electrical tape over that light"... if I say anything at all. Mostly I have learned to ignore it so completely I don't even see it.

The other thing I say is "Why can't they put a light there that tells me which gear I am currently in, instead of that lame shift thing"

The light does not tell you when you should shift if you want to max out power, it is very very early. It does not tell you when to shift if you want to max out economy; depending on terrain it is usually a bit late but sometimes still early, and only right in the same sense that a stopped watch is right twice a day. In short, it is relatively useless, unless you are new to driving an MT, in which case it is a fairly safe middle of the road suggestion of shift point which leans a bit towards economical driving.

I keep hoping Vince figures out how to reprogram it and offers that as a part of the Trifeca tune, in the same way he reprograms the shift points of the automatic. I would love to have that little light be actually useful, even better, to have it switchable along with selectatune, so that in power mode it suggests shifting up around 5500 rpm and in eco mode it suggests shifting down around 1800. Still would be non optimal (since actual shift points still vary based on conditions), but would be closer to useful and serve as a reminder if I was waiting too long.

Or just tell me what gear I'm in, I know this sounds crazy but I shift into neutral and back into first a lot more often than you'd think, because I am often not quite sure if I'm in first or third, when suffering through some stop and go.

 

[Fry]

To answer your question, I say "man, I keep forgetting to put electrical tape over that light"... if I say anything at all. Mostly I have learned to ignore it so completely I don't even see it.

The other thing I say is "Why can't they put a light there that tells me which gear I am currently in, instead of that lame shift thing"

The light does not tell you when you should shift if you want to max out power, it is very very early. It does not tell you when to shift if you want to max out economy; depending on terrain it is usually a bit late but sometimes still early, and only right in the same sense that a stopped watch is right twice a day. In short, it is relatively useless, unless you are new to driving an MT, in which case it is a fairly safe middle of the road suggestion of shift point which leans a bit towards economical driving.

I keep hoping Vince figures out how to reprogram it and offers that as a part of the Trifecta tune, in the same way he reprograms the shift points of the automatic. I would love to have that little light be actually useful, even better, to have it switchable along with selectatune, so that in power mode it suggests shifting up around 5500 rpm and in eco mode it suggests shifting down around 1800. Still would be non optimal (since actual shift points still vary based on conditions), but would be closer to useful and serve as a reminder if I was waiting too long.

Or just tell me what gear I'm in, I know this sounds crazy but I shift into neutral and back into first a lot more often than you'd think, because I am often not quite sure if I'm in first or third, when suffering through some stop and go.

First part: This is where I'll imitate my daughter and say, "You can DO THAT?"

Second part: This seems more impossible, but I agree, it would be very nice. Sometimes I forget which car I'm in and think, "oh crap, what gear am I in?" Or in the Mazda I think, "Oh crap, where'd the clutch go??"

opcorn:

 

[sonic007]

I dont even see it anymore lol. I shift when i want.

 

[ChrisJ]

I also shift when I want, however the upshift light rarely lights up on my commutes. I very often have the little 1.4 chugging away at 1200-1500rpm and no, it won't stall.

You don't risk stalling unless you get below 1K.

 

[Dragcamaro]

I tell it to shut up and get a higher redline

 

[poncho167]

I like it, especially because I am new to the car. My 1992 Chevy S10 had it as well.

 

[Beastlick]

I tell her Shhh, I'm getting close....

 

[sx sonic]

The stock shift light is a function of RPM and throttle position.
Using more throttle makes the the shift light come on at a higher RPM.

If I'm going for gold the light might come on at 3,000+ RPM and I ignore it.

If I'm going for great mpg, basically most of the time, I never see it.
Even at very small throttle openings it won't come on until about 1,600RPM.
I shift before 1,500 and I've never stalled it shifting gears.

In fact on flat ground you can go from 1st to 6th gear without ever touching the throttle. AND then cruise at ~31mph in 6th gear...

The only way you're stalling this thing is by short shifting and skipping a gear or 2, or seriously short shifting the crap out of this thing while going up a grade; Unless you bugger a shift it'll self throttle itself to cruising idle RPM (~950RPM).

 

[Swordsmith]

The stock shift light is a function of RPM and throttle position.
Using more throttle makes the the shift light come on at a higher RPM.

Hmm I did not know this. That's interesting because it means the shift light becomes more and more useless as we increase the power available on the engine; at least assuming you mean "torque demand pedal" when you say "throttle" (which we can't access directly)... with a more powerful engine we press down less and less on that pedal, meaning the shift light comes on at lower and lower rpm.

And it also screams out even more loudly for a Trifecta modification.

 

[ecohauler]

SX, what is this flat ground you speak of? Must be nice living out west.

 

[sx sonic]

SX, what is this flat ground you speak of? Must be nice living out west.

:blankface: only when driving for mpg. There are so many days I crave some winding mountain roads for some slice and dice driving.

Oh and I'm in the "midwest", get it right

 

[ChrisJ]

Hmm I did not know this. That's interesting because it means the shift light becomes more and more useless as we increase the power available on the engine; at least assuming you mean "torque demand pedal" when you say "throttle" (which we can't access directly)... with a more powerful engine we press down less and less on that pedal, meaning the shift light comes on at lower and lower rpm.

And it also screams out even more loudly for a Trifecta modification.

Yep,
If the light comes on, giving a hair more throttle will make it go out until load becomes light on the engine again.

 

[Chrish051873]

light, what light ?
Who listens to that thing, LOL

 

[sdgdf]

It doesn't compensate for hills or anticipating traffic so I don't follow its advice very often. Usually if I'm cruising on flat ground I'll get it up into 6th before the shift light tells me to .

 

[RSTURBO]

Ive noticed if you stay around full throttle the shift light leaves you alone

 

[ctenc001]

coming from a 5 speed, i find it helpful. Its a good reminder to pop it into 6th after getting up to speed and merging onto the interstate. aside from being a reminder in this situation, I rarely ever see it.

 

[Insanika]

I don't pay much attention to mine.

I've forgotten to downshift a notch through a small town once and cruised nicely at 27 in 6th in my RS.