It depends on what my rpm'* are, but if I am cruising @ 60 and going to pass, I always drop it into 3rd. Takes alot less throttle and if someone new is in the car they usually crap themselves. I find it more "refined" then just pushing the pedal to the floor to get it to shift.

drag racing, I start in 3rd and when it shifts into 2nd I pull it down to 2nd. it all depends if I am getting a shift into 3rd at the end of the race. pulling it down to 2nd after the 2nd shift seems to hold 2nd longer.

The only car I shift manually is my mom'* Acadia. That 6-speed has the WORST shift programming. It shifts way too low and it gets very annoying when it shifts 4 times getting to 35.

That'* why I like my 4 speed

I'd like to comment on this one...

Moderator please move where it belongs, I appologize for putting in the wrong category. I use mine for one hill in particuar leaving my home. If I go down in OD I push about 53 in a 35, If I drop it down into second, she sings down the hill at about 41 mph. Sometimes I will drop it into D when coming off of a highway exit ramp for more control and carving ability on the curves.

Only manual shifting I will do is from 3 into OD at highway speeds.

x2, I do the same. I also downshift (when stopped) to 2nd when I'm in city traffic as the 4T80E doesn't handle itself well in slow stop and go city traffic. Otherwise, under normal circumstances I let the electronics that I paid for do the deciding.

While stopped at a red light or in traffic I keep the shifter in neutral or park. Driving in the city under 45 I keep it in D, above 45 I keep it in OD. If I want a Mustang to wonder where I went I put in in 2 and go from there.

Why? We've discussed this before, and people have varying opinions on the matter, what is your reasoning behind shifting to neutral while stopped in traffic?

I'm afraid I'd forget and just rev away like an idiot

i'd rather burn my breaks than overheat my transmission going down a pass....

my opinion.

I do. If I am preparing for some "spirited driving" I shift it into first at about 30-35. This prevents the downshift lag. Then just let it shift itself into 2nd and possibly shift it manually into 3rd if the "spirited driving" calls for it. These better gears really wake up at that speed in 1st. I like to surprise passengers with it. Normal everyday driving just gets the D and go.
Grant