-Warning-what Im about to say may make you fall out of your chair so be careful lol

Anyways I just got my 08 lancer GTS with sun/sound/Nav/CVT last week from the number 1 mistu dealership in Baltimore MD. This is my first financed car keep in mind Im only 19 and my other cars in the past were able to get me from point A to Point B and thats about it.

Now my problem . . . I have never driven a stick before so Im completely ignorant to the way it works. I know how to shift the gears by using the paddles but when to shift is the hard part for me, I feel like when i go out and try to use it im messing up my car because im just shifting at random times :(

I would like to know the logistics of shifting, when i get shift to get maximum engine power, or when should i shift to get better gas millage? I know downshifting is fun too but again i have no clue on how to do it so if someone could help me here i would greatly appreciate it!!!! :liebe011:

Correction: "When should I shift to get maximum engine power"

Usually, experienced manual transmission drivers are relying much with their instincts on when to shift by listening at their engines. Others are using the red line as their cue to shift.

While others are using speed as their guide to shift, this might help you on the theory of proper shifting.

First from 0 to 15mph tops
Second 3 to 25mph
Third 15 to 45mph
Fourth 30 to 65mph
Fifth 45 to 85mph

Personally, I only use the paddle/manual mode when I'm on a challenge mode with the car beside me to race through red-greenlight start. ;)

I have the manual not cvt, but it usually takes a few days to get totally used to it. Just shift when you feel the gear that you are in is maxed out. With my car, I can feel and hear the engine and know when to shift it. Also you can look at your speedometer to use as a guide . If someone with the CVT can give you speeds to refer to when to shift, it should help you. My old car used to be about every 15mph. IE 15mph, 30mph, 45mph, and 60 mph. If all else fails, drive it like an automatic.

Thanks guys, I usually use the automatic but i have been having alot off people wanting to race me from red light to green light lol as Lancer 08 said lol and i find myself embarrassed because Im trying to beat them with the automatic when i have an amazing feature with the cvt but cant use it :( but I will take your advice thanks for the replies it was greatly appreciated! :liebe011:

I have had manual transmissions all my life, from a 79 toyota corolla hatchback carburated, nissan 300zx, nissan estanza, 3x mustangs GT 87-88 and 90... you can shift gears in different ways, either by speed per gear, or RPMs per gear or engine sound. The latest mustang i had, my 90 GT, i had a new crate motor with racing clutch and tons of other goodies (dynoed at 340hp at the real wheels), i would shift between 2500 to 3000 RPMs to conserve gas and not abuse the engine. Now, when i raced it either on the street or the 1/4 mile, i would rev it at 7000 RPMs, I even put a tachometer with a shift-light at the beginning, but once you get used to the sound and the way the engine feels, you will know when to shift, either at low or high speed.
the best thing i can tell you is, do not rev engine high all the time, you will put too much stress on the engine, specially in a brand new car, since you have to brake it in slowly.
my 08 lancer is not a GTS, i have an ES (with sun and sound) with CVT, which it does not have the option for me to shift... so, perhaps one of the other members with your car specifications can give you pointers.

I see. Red-greenlight street racing is fun. The trick is knowing when at exact time does the red goes to green. Here's my usual trick, when the pedestrian red hand on my right or left will stop blinking (steady) I will count 1001...1002 up to 1005 (approx 5 seconds) then the green light should go the same time as you hit your accelerator. An intersection with left turn is a different story because it takes 10-15 seconds to green after the red hand goes steady, I usually watch the left turn light goes red then hit the the gas pedal. A split second delayed will make your head so itchy or your opponent's. :laughing:

About the paddle shifter, Don't floor the gas pedal at numbers 1 & 2 because it will not take you anywhere but 2nd place. Nos. 1&2 should be on a quick shifting moment with enough gas to act like they are really manuals, then in the third shift I usually almost floor the gas, depending on the speed of my opponent. If I smoked him out right from the greenlight start then I'll just turn signal going to his lane and close it at the next red light. Meaning, you are the one and he is no. 2. :clap:

Practice and feel first your ride and when the moment comes you can be one with your engine.

Hint: I usually do it when my fuel tank is 1/4 full, just to eliminate the weight of a full tank. Lastly, lookout for any cops nearby or you will be sorry. ;)

it sounds like you have the racing thing down to a science. I try to avoid racing as my insurance is already 170 a month. I just race my self not other people.

I dont think the question posted was for "how do you street race?", but i believe on how to shift his new 08 GTS Lancer... :offtopic:

Well I did ask if anyone had any advice on how to shift or the best ways to shift with the 08 lancer cvt I ask this because i have this $2,500 feature that I cant use :(

I would like to know how to use this feature for little street races but also for saving gas while driving long distances, we may have gotten a lil off topic but im happy with the feedback i received :)

I was flooring it from 1st to 2nd gear and found out very fast that it was getting me no where but the gas station the next day lol

I raced my lil bro in his 1989 Acura Integra 5 spd (keep in mind he has done nothing to this car) the other day it was probably a little shorter then a 1/4 mile maybe 1/6 mile and it was just a straight away He beat me from the begging his car accelerated faster then mine and because of the short distance i had no time to catch up. I was pissed, we both have a 4 cylinder Im thinking its because his car was lighter then mine . . . ?
I know if we were to race for a mile i would dust him soon as the mivec kicks in lol

just try this is the simplest thing and how to shift and cannot go wrong with.

You are right with the question, but the author's underlying motive is to learn how and when to shift because he is always smoked-out at the red-greenlight street racing. Simple as that... :cigareta: :hyper:

how about not using the steering wheel gear shifts at all, a car with 113kw of power shouldnt come with such stuff. but anyway when i drive mine in tiptronic mode i usually chagne gears at 3 to 3 1/2 thousand revs. sounds nice proberly even nicer if i had a sports exhaust.

I'm pretty much in the same boat as the original poster :P Have never driven a manual, although have ridden with people who could and know the method of driving a manual. Just tried the paddle the other day and it's pretty fun. 1st gear is almost useless, 2nd comes quick, so is 3rd, 4th and 5th is when you feel like you are going anywhere. Wasn't on the highway so I didn't go to 6th. Would like to try that next.

i hate how the Cvt is..in D mode the gas is so irresponsive but when you put it in sports mode it pickes up a lot quicker..

and does anyone else have the problem like say you take off from a red light in sporst mode and turn..that your steerting wheel kind of locks up in the middle of first gear?

Sorry if this is a repeat post, but here's a video of how this CVT works. Might help with understanding shift points.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kNtFu9kbEY

heres how to drive it....

Place selector in "D".
step on gas.


the end. The amount of ratio altering will be adjusted per load and RPM. Your car accelerates faster this way than choosing ratios.
it may not sound faster, but it is.

/\ listen to this poster.

those paddle shifters are pretty pointless (even though i have them haha)

wow, 19 and you are still driving like a 16 year old who just got his license? how about not street racing before you kill someone.


CVT's manual mode is not for usage all the time, its just for quick stints of fun.


Are you planning on breaking in the motor or just breaking it? Read the manual!

I am pissy because street racing should not be condoned on the boards, grow up!