At what RPM should an automatic transmission car shift gears?
2 Answers
After starting an automatic transmission car, when the speed reaches 20 km/h and the RPM is between 1500-2000, shift to 2nd gear. When the RPM exceeds 2000, shift to 3rd gear, which is equivalent to about 30 km/h. Shift to 4th gear when the speed reaches 50 km/h. More details about RPM are as follows: 1. Starting is very important; it's essential to develop the habit of starting in 1st gear, which is beneficial for the engine, clutch, and transmission. Especially for heavier vehicles like Audi, overcoming inertia requires greater torque. Therefore, the 'fixed throttle' method can be used: after depressing the clutch and engaging the gear, slightly press the accelerator to maintain the engine at around 1500 RPM, then slowly release the clutch using the 'fast, pause, slow' method. This ensures a smooth start with no body vibration and low noise. 2. Shifting gears at 2000 RPM can lead to more severe carbon deposits. A more fuel-efficient and engine-friendly RPM range is between 1500-2500, with frequent use of neutral gear. For example, immediately shift to neutral after overtaking or when seeing a red light or needing to decelerate. 3. The prerequisite for upshifting is acceleration, while downshifting requires deceleration. Higher gears are more fuel-efficient but don't necessarily increase speed. Lower gears can also operate at high speeds, providing strong power for climbing but consuming more fuel. Whenever road conditions permit, higher gears should be used as much as possible.
I've always driven automatic transmission cars, and the upshift RPM is not fixed—it depends on how you drive. When driving casually for fuel efficiency and smoothness, the car typically upshifts between 1500 and 2500 RPM. For example, when accelerating from standstill to 50 km/h, the upshift points for each gear vary within this range. However, if you press the accelerator hard for rapid acceleration or when climbing a steep hill, the system delays upshifting, allowing the RPM to rise to 3000 or even 4000 before shifting to provide extra power. The driving mode has a significant impact: in Eco mode, the upshift points are lower, while in Sport mode, they are higher. From my experience, it's best to observe how the tachometer responds in different driving conditions and get familiar with your car's habits—don't just memorize numbers, as the car adapts automatically. In practice, fluctuations in the tachometer are normal, whether you're overtaking on the highway or stuck in city traffic, as the responses vary.
