For me, I find that the smoothest shift between 1st and 2nd normally occurs near the 5000 rpm mark.

For every other gear, I tend to upshift around 3500 rpm.

 

7MT here, and I usually upshift between 4-5k RPM in city/ daily driving.

 

You guys are absolutely right.

I think my driving/shifting habits are congruent with some of the earlier comments; that I immediately assumed anything lower felt like "lugging" the engine.

I took test today and 1800RPM shifts didn't necessarily lug the engine on flat/downward planes. But I found myself just slightly above 1k post shift (unless I speed shifted- then slightly higher) accelerations. I am not sure how this might help in a stop/go city situation as it will increase the amount you clutch, shift, clutch, shift, and etc...then the wear factor. But that only lends to driving preferences, and I am never one to anyone how to drive their car.

Just a note on engine load: I recall while researching 991s, engines are broken-in at factory. They can actually run the car at a good speed at the end of the production line (on a roller) to determine the competency of the engine with the married suspension and chassis. This is allowable due to the lack of engine load (kinetic force). The motor and trans never hit high temperatures to stress any damage.

So yes, engine speed is definitely a very important factor. And thank you for allowing us to consider that.

It also makes sense why our cars have the AUTO START features available for use upon delivery. I can only imagine how a brand new engine would settle while the car shuts/starts the engine at every RED light you hit.

 

For me it is all a feel thing, I go to around 2000-2500 rpm in first. I just squeeze on the throttle as smoothly as possible. I let out the clutch again smoothly but positively. You can tell if you are doing it right. The engine sound will tell you and as you go through the gears the power should be again applied smoothly. Try to accelerate without high revs and keeping up your momentum. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast!

 

With the PDK that is broken in, I find the shifts to be so easy and quick, that I shift much more often than I would with the MT or single-clutch transmission. I mean, it is so easy to just hit the downshift and go down a gear to stay in the perfect range for sporty driving, and also upshift pretty early when trying to be economical. I just find the ease of the PDK to allow me to shift earlier (both up and down, depending on the driving).

Generally speaking, for daily economical driving, I would say around 2,000 - 2,500 would be the range that I find myself shifting without really thinking about it.

 

I'm not really sure there is breaking in at the factory..

I recall from my tour, there is a basic functional test of the engine and I seem to remember there is a chassis/dyno functional test.. But I don't think there is any kind of break in at Porsche... But I'd probably characterize these as test and not breakin which would take hundreds of hours. Although I do remember there is a selective sampling where they do more extensive testing for QA purposes..

I will admit mixed messages about the break-in period.. I seem to remember reading in the manual the official recommendation is to keep the Rev's under 4000 or 4500 for 2000 miles with the avoid prolonged cruise at a constant speed. But then I've talked to more than one dealer and mechanic who was knowledgeable that said, eh... don't worry about it.. drive it the way you want, just be reasonable about it...

I myself just keep it reasonable for the first 2K miles, and as I get closer to the 2K allow myself a little more spirit.. I think it's sort of like the human body, you can do what you want but just do things in moderation.

Could you clarify your comment about the why autostart? I think this is just part of Porsche strategy for dealing with European requirements and EPA requirements..

They set up a "default" mode of operation of the car which is pretty boring... Autostart, very tame shift and gutless throttle characteristics to meet the MPG claims.. I'm ok with all of that (although I'd rather not have the autostart and coast features, as it adds to the overall complexity, lowers reliability and increases cost of the car.)

But it royally irritates me that they don't allow setting the defaults to anything other than "normal" operation (although you can turn off the autostart in the menus). First hack I can find to get over this I'm going to go for.

I'm sure they do this for reasons of substantiating (and insuring) the MPG claims... but why interfere with someone who willfully wants it otherwise..

 

991S with PDK and X51 - I never drive the car under 2,000rpm except when very cold and very light use. Normally shift up, in the city, around 3,500 RPM and about 4500 - 5000 rpm on highway on ramps

 

with the engine warmed up, shifting from 1st to 2nd in a calm manner (light pedal) around 5000 rpm produces the most wonderful pops and cracks. I enjoyed myself thoroughly this morning playing around 5K in town without hammering it.

Good grief, these cars are amazing.