Under normal acceleration, i find myself shifting when the RMP's are between 2,000 and 2,500. I usually skip 5th gear, heading from 4th to 6th, around 40-45mph. The car kinda luggs a little bit in 6th around 40 mph, and i downshift at any speeds lower than this.
2 questions -- Will skipping gears like this bring any harm to the car? I'm assuming no, due to CAGS. Also, will any harm come to having the car in 6th gear at 40mph? It's almost lugging at that speed, and anything short of 40 is pretty much below idle speed.

Thanks!
Tim

 

Good question on the running sixth at 40mph... I am curious about the same thing. I have been running in 5th at 40, turning about 1200 or 1300rpm. As for skipping gears it won't really cause a problem. In my mazda I go from 1st to 2nd to 4th, then 5th quite often or 1st, 2nd 5th. I am wondering also what speed to use good ol' 6th gear. My uncle suggested only using 5th unless I was doing 50ish or better.

 

I'm pretty sure the owners manual says to go into 6th at 65mph.