Where Should My RPMs Be At?

Fellas-
Complete newbie but would someone help me understand how to figure out what my RPMs should be at various speeds and in various gears? I think I saw there is a formula to figure this out but I can't find it and probably wouldn't be able to figure out how to use it if I could. The Tacoma in question is a 2011 Access Cab, v6, TRD Off-Road 4x4 with a 5-Speed Manual transmission. It has 265's on 16 inch rims if that matters. Any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Doug

 

u have a 5 speed manual v6?

calculators can be used to help on the RPM, but we need to know if u have a 5sp auto, or a 6sp manual..... Im looking up info still

 

find ur trans...... get the ratios

http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_help/2011/Toyota/1997-2011_Toyota_Transmissions.htm#R155F


then run the numbers through this

http://www.crawlpedia.com/rpm_gear_calculator.htm


I hope that works

 

Justus-
Thanks for the reply. In the link you sent me for the formula on how to calculate RPM's, it asks for the transmission ratio. Do you know where I can find that for my particular vehicle?

 

http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_help/2011/Toyota/1997-2011_Toyota_Transmissions.htm#R155F

u just need to tell us what transmission u have

I dont think a 5 speed manual V6 was an option

 

or u can get real in depth here

http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

 

Drive it and let us know.

 

I thought the manual would tell you? Just need practice OP, that's how we all learned. You'll find grinding gears is the worst noise ever.

 

Fellas-
Thanks for the help. Last question and then I'll go try to get some data and see if I have reason for concern. For a 5-sp manual transmission there is 8 different possible transmissions listed. What is the easiest way to find which one I have, look in the manual or look for a part number on the transmission itself? Thanks a bunch. Doug

 

You don't have a 5 speed manual with a V6 on a second gen. You have a 6 speed manual option or a 5 speed automatic.

As far as when to shift and cruise, it just depends on what you're doing. Just practice and go with it.

 

If you have a manual trans. with a v6 TRD, then its a 6spd. I usually cruise around the 2000 rpm mark in mine when driving around town. No matter what speed limit is, i choose the best gear to keep close to that rpm. Not sure if its the most best option (im sure others have opinions) but its what I use and feel comfortable with.

 

Just like this guy said, the V6 only comes with the 6 spd manual or the 5spd auto. The 4cyl comes with the 5 spd manual or the 4 spd auto.

So either you have a 6 spd, or you have a 4 cyl motor. Or the previous owner of your Tacoma killed the 6 spd and dropped a 5 spd into it, in which case we have no idea what tranny you have and can't really help you...

Use this link that Justus posted: http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

Step 1: select the tranny:
The 6 spd manual is the Toyota RA60F
The 5spd manual is the Toyota R155F (which you will have to type in manually)
R155F
First Gear: 3.95:1
Second Gear: 2.06:1
Third Gear: 1.44:1
Fourth Gear: 1.00:1
Fifth Gear: 0.81:1

Step 2: Select Tcase:
Just put in 1 for the high range

Skip Step 3

Step 4: Axle Gear ratio
If you have the V6 then it should 3.73
If you have the 4cyl (6lug) it should be 4.10
If you have the 4cyl (5lug) it shoudl be 3.31

Step 5: Tire size
Put in your tire size

Then hit calculate, and towards the bottom you can choose different RPM to see how fast each gear goes, or what RPM different gears are at at a specifc speed.