listen to the engine...if it sounds like it's lugging ( hopping and sluggish ) up the RPM's you shift at...if it's screaming...lower the RPMs...(actually shifting without watching the Tach is better than shifting watching it, because you don't need to take your eyes off the road to shift and drive....if you're racing thats different. Theres no others to hit, no traffic.)All std shift cars have a 'sound' that lets you know when to shift...after you drive for a few yrs and drive a few hundred cars...you might get the feel/sound....