Shift ranges for 2.5L manual

[jimmyz49866]

I just picked up a 95 contour, just under 200K miles and seeming to run fine. The car has the 5 speed manual but it's been a while since last I drove a stick, so I'm wondering what the manual says about shifting patterns, etc.

Of course, there is no owners manual in this very used car. Can anyone tell me what Ford originally recommended, if they did so, and then what you guys have found to be the best pattern for engine longevity.

Any other ideas on keeping this thing on the road for as long as possible would be appreciated.

Jimmyz
Negaunee, MI

 

[Tony2005]

Welcome . Download the 1996 Owners Manual (free) as it is similar to 1995. www.fleet.ford.com.

Familiarize yourself with the Duratec Maintenance, Duratec How to, M&M How to and Troubleshooting Forums. Most maintenance items are listed there. Have at it and the Contour should give you many more years of good service.

From 1996 Owners' Manual
During Acceleration. 1-2 14 mph, 2-3 25 mph, 3-4 33 mph, 4-5 45 mph
During Cruise ........ 1-2 10 mph, 2-3 20 mph, 3-4 31 mph, 4-5 40 mph

Edit. Read this thread on clutch life
http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=6533

 

[TRicker]

now that you have the real shift patterns, i'll throw my own shift patterns in.

neutral-1 - 3000 rpm
1-2 7000 rpm
2-3 7000 rpm
3-4 7000 rpm
4-5 7000 rpm.

just kidding

 

[Tony2005]

now that you have the real shift patterns, i'll throw my own shift patterns in.

neutral-1 - 3000 rpm...

You may want to consider the Throttle Hang Fix. :laugh:

 

[TRicker]

hahaha..... yeah i looked at the how to on that


(take your foot off the gas pedal)

 

[Ray]

The RANGES are like:
1 - 33
2-59
3-88
4-112? (115?)
5-top gear
In an SVT, for maximum acceleration, you should be shifting at redline (those speeds)

 

[csvtjohnga]

1.35ish
2-61
3-92
4-120
5-.......when it ends-brake

 

[Kremithefrog]

now that you have the real shift patterns, i'll throw my own shift patterns in.

neutral-1 - 3000 rpm
1-2 7000 rpm
2-3 7000 rpm
3-4 7000 rpm
4-5 7000 rpm.

just kidding

That's close to mine, but with some differences
1-2 7400
2-3 7400
3-4 7400
4-5 2800 (I lost the race way back in third gear, no reason to keep on)

 

[theSCHAFF]

Isn't the SVT trans geared lower/different than a reg. 2.5 Contour ? :shrug: