# Information about manual shifting speeds **URL:** \ **Category:** Driving/Drivers\ **Tags:** fiesta, ford\ **Created:** [September 10, 2020, 8:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792 "2020-09-10T08:36:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Travis-43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f19dbf/32.png) [@Travis-43](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Travis-43)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2020, 8:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/1 "2020-09-10T08:36:18Z")
Hello, i retrieved an owners guide for a car i owned several years ago (Ford Fiesta 1978), and at the manual shift speeds page, i’m wondering what is the meaning of the letters “U” and “R” in the table, as it’s not explained anywhere in the guide. (see image) Any ideas ? Thanks. ![fiesta](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/5/6/569d7bd93e7a262160732da2d2f0dc079b7568d7.jpeg) Best regards, ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2020, 9:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/2 "2020-09-10T09:26:16Z")
U means upper speed range R means recommended speed range ---
**Author:** ![Travis-43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f19dbf/32.png) [@Travis-43](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Travis-43)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/3 "2020-09-10T23:08:00Z")
Thank you very much Mustangman ! It does makes sense, now 😃 ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2020, 12:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/4 "2020-09-11T00:10:48Z")
Our 1978 VW Rabbit Diesel had the shift points marked on the speedometer.Probably was in the manual as well. ---
**Author:** ![Travis-43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f19dbf/32.png) [@Travis-43](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Travis-43)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2020, 12:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/5 "2020-09-11T00:21:53Z")
Interesting, there were some « aids » or reminders like that in some models, i also remember the Mercury Lynx of a friend, (1981 or 1982) wich had an orange UP arrow light on the instruments cluster, it illuminated to indicate when to shift. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2020, 12:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/6 "2020-09-11T00:26:15Z")
Seems like Honda’s had that feature as well. Mom became one of those drivers who could shift by ear, none of her stick shift cars had a tachometer so it was all by sound. We all piled in her car for a road trip and she asked my dad from the backseat “how do you feel about 5th gear?” dad got the hint and shifted up. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2020, 12:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/7 "2020-09-11T00:58:18Z")
Yeah I just shifted by ear. I don’t remember having a tach for anything I drove. ---
**Author:** ![tcmichnorth](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tcmichnorth/32/25126_2.png) [@tcmichnorth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tcmichnorth)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2020, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/8 "2020-09-11T01:53:27Z")
I usually shift by my left foot and right hand. The ear seems uncomfortable. 😏 ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/9 "2020-09-11T02:51:39Z")
> [@tcmichnorth](#): > > I usually shift by my left foot and right hand. Yeah except in England. ---
**Author:** ![B.L.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/848f3c/32.png) [@B.L.E](https://community.cartalk.com/u/B.L.E)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2020, 9:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/10 "2020-09-11T09:49:55Z")
Automatic transmissions are programmed to vary shift points according to throttle position or intake manifold vacuum, the less gas you give it, the lower the shift rpm. That’s how I drive my manual transmission vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2020, 1:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/information-about-manual-shifting-speeds/169792/11 "2020-09-11T13:05:21Z")
> [@Travis-43](#): > > orange UP arrow light on the instruments cluster, it illuminated to indicate when to shift My 93 Saturn had that as well. It helped the EPA mileage ratings for the manufacturer as well as helping the newbie know when to shift.