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My GMC Canyon has a shift light that tells you when to shift in order to get the best fuel mileage. It depends on the gear but it usually turns on in the 1500-1900 rpm range. But I don't really even look at my RPM's that often anymore I just listen the motor. I usually end up shifting about the same as when the light kicks on anyways.
I tried short-shifting my Ford Fusion today as an experiment, upshifting at 1500 rpm. Imagine my surprise when I ran out of gears and I was still only going 30 mph! I could deal that for piddling around on El Camino Real with its 35 mph speed limit, but I do a lot of freeway driving and if you want to merge onto a freeway in California, you cannot do it at 35 mph.
I tried short-shifting my Ford Fusion today as an experiment, upshifting at 1500 rpm. Imagine my surprise when I ran out of gears and I was still only going 30 mph! I could deal that for piddling around on El Camino Real with its 35 mph speed limit, but I do a lot of freeway driving and if you want to merge onto a freeway in California, you cannot do it at 35 mph.
You dont start out from a stop on the freeway to begin with. And if you do 35 on the freeway, youre asking to either get shot, pulled over, or both!
You dont start out from a stop on the freeway to begin with.
Several of our freeways have timing lights, so yes, you do have to start from a dead stop. And even if they don't, it's usually a sharp curve which puts you around 25 mph.
and shifting early doesn't always = better gas milage either, it all depends how your motor delivers it's power. if it struggles below 2500, and you shift at 2, it'll take alot longer to get to cruising speed, for example, with made up figures, 1 minute using 2 gallons of fuel an hour, or 5 minutes using 1.5 gallons of fuel an hour... which works out more efficient?
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And if you do 35 on the freeway, youre asking to either get shot, pulled over, or both! 
