3000rpm to go 70mph?

[Duffy1006]

This may be a stupid question. But I'm new to stick shift cars. I have driven stick shift trucks but cars seem to be a little different. I'm driving and 06 ford focus st zx4. Is it normal for it to take 3000rpm to go 70mph? Or is this a sign that something is wrong like clutch slipping.i hope I'm just worrying to much.

[Sponsor]

[Chris_HT]

it's normal :)

[#1fordfan]

sounds about right to me.

[whynotthinkwhynot]

You must be more familiar with GMs where you have intergalactic cruise gears. Ford optimizes final drive ratios for the engines. Your engine makes the most power around that rpm, so that's where it's set for this vehicle. Ford tried taller gears in earlier Duratec engines, but better fuel economy was achieved with lower gears.

[barker1964]

I have a 2002 SVT and in 6th gear I'm around that rpm

[Duffy1006]

Awesome that's what I wanted to here! Nope no gms I had an old 91 with a inline 6 and a 5 speed.

[sailor]

Nice Ride! ST vs. SVT is a fun battle we've had at prev. FocusFests.

For an RPM comparison, my first car was a Triumph TR4A and it was running 3,000 at 60 2,000 at 40 etc.. If you lost the tach. or the speedo you could easily guess the other reading 'cause you'd just double the first numbers from the tach to get the speed!

No surprise that an overdrive unit was an option to drop rpm when cruising. Not a big issue when the top speed limit on the interstate was 60. These days many collectors swap in a Toyota 5 spd to keep up with traffic at lower rpm in their TR 4's & 6's.

(grin)

[mainest]

If your first car was a TR4A (w/IRS?) you must be an "Elder". My first car was a TR3A, so I may be even elder. I just loved cruising along with the top down and the side curtains off, seemingly 6 inches off the ground, but it sure rode like a truck!