Low Speed Overload - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

XR_Strider_GuY · 02-17-2002, 02:05

Just read a tiny article in the 1st issue of Australian Muscle Car about the GenIII's with the T56 having Low Speed overload.

Basically when in 6th the GENIII SS revs like 1500rpm and can cause more damage to the tranny that high speed driving. A suggestion as a guide is at 100km/h a minimum rpm should be 2000. As a guide when my speedo shows 100km/h my car revs at 1950rpm.

I have to admit when i'm driving day in day out i tend to shift as higher gear as possible ie i shift to 5th at say 70km/h.

Just wondering for manual drivers here what rpm does everyone shift at as a guide, and what speed they shift into 5th. I find in my car cruising on flat 1700rpm in my EF is more than adequete torque change up gears. Obviously i tend to shift at higher revs cause i liek to feel the engine.

xr6wgn · 02-17-2002, 02:41

It's not just the Gen III that's had that problem, I think this has been around since H____n (yeah that word) started fitting the 6 spd with the VN GrpA.

With my wagon i use 5th above 60 but it's a little toey (prefering 4th) If I'm in cruise mode (usually Mon morning on the way to work) I short shift from 1 - 2 give it a bit 2 - 4 and then 5 about 60-65. If I want to have a bit of fun, Short shift 1 - 2, gun it in 2, 3 and 4 and then 5. Just depends on how I feel and who's beside (behind) me

see Yah

Paul B
XR6WGN

smciner1 · 02-17-2002, 02:44

I don't usually change to 5th in the XR6 until over 80 km/h. General driving I usually shift around 3000 rpm.

I don't shift into 5th in the G.T because it doesn't have a 5th gear!

EDXR6 · 02-17-2002, 02:49

I don't shift into 5th until over 80km/h. for some reason it doesnt like 5th if im under 80km/h.

smciner1 · 02-17-2002, 03:24

I don't have a problem that it won't shift down. I just think the car feels to sluggish & doughy down that low.

XT500 · 02-17-2002, 23:40

When dad got his VS the dealer said for normal driving, 1st: 0-20, 2nd: 20-40, 3rd: 40-60, 4th: 60-80, 5th: 80 and over. But it's a personal thing, whatever suits you. When I drive it, it's like 1st: 0-35, 2nd: 35-60, then 4th. :s3

Jase_ELXR8 · 02-18-2002, 00:41

If you change into 5th at a too low speed you will damage your gearbox. Because it's all aluminium cased, when in 5th the load is on the rear bearing. If your road speed is too low you will wear out the rear bearing retainer and sometimes the casing.

ST170ish · 02-18-2002, 01:06

Yep I killed a T5 in me old XF, it was kinda stuffed when I brought it(35k/km on it)cost me a shit load to fix it.
The 5th gear itself hand granaded!!!the box was totaled, which in turn took out the tail shaft as well, not to mention the body/chassis damage...and a pair of dirty jocks!
Was a sad day for me, I killed my new Ford.

Mr Jucy · 02-18-2002, 04:06

My TX3 had the suggested speeds in the manual I would of thought the Falcon had the same thing . My XD only has 3 speeds & with the 4.11 rear end revs its tits off at any speed

Venom XR · 02-18-2002, 04:16

I tend to change over 3000rpm. I rarely use 5th under 100k's unless I'm in a 80+ zone and cruising for fair distances.