When do you upshift?

3 lights on the LED for me (458) in the example you give above.

That's my favorite combo of sound/speed/fun.

 

For the F8 at low speeds, the RPMs build so quickly, I find it advantageous to keep it in auto mode. At highway speeds, I prefer manual control..

 

auto mode Joe?? what the heck?? I'm the biggest P**sy with my car but even I can't use that crap.... I shift between 4500 and 7500 in all gears after it's warmed up... I downshift at 3k as this is when it's smoothest when slowing down. I keep It around 4-4200 rpm while just cruising.

 

Rpm is dependant on if I got a beer in my hand.

 

when you shift on the road depends on so many factors as it depends on so many things, traction, are there cops around, do i care about how loud it is, am i coming into a corner, is it up or down hill etc etc... is your question around like a full throttle up shift when racing or going on an onramp? I've never driven a 488, I would shift when you feel the power has died off, every car/engine is different, it's not always at peak torque/hp.

 

The power curve of the 488 is almost flat from 6,300 to 7,300 rpm - so you're better off shifting at about 7,200 rpm (because if you try to go further there's a chance you hit the limiter) so that after the shift you still have as much power as possible. In most cases (for most cars) it's also better to shift after the peak power; it may seem frustrating to feel the decrease in power before the shift, but there's typically a gain after the shift (otherwise the power drops too much).

 

You should shift a microsecond before you start bouncing off the limiter. Not at peak power way before the limiter- ignore that data it’s not relevant for this. As far as shifting as 2 lights or 3 lights….nonsense. You’re not even close to hitting the limiter and you’re leaving power on the table.

Practice shifting as close to the limiter as possible until you can consistently shift literally 5 rpm below the limiter without hitting it. You’re faster this way, not that it matters since you’re just doing spirited driving…but it’s also more fun.