This is a general answer 'cause I don't have my Civic any more so I can't test the RPMs.First, check the manual. Often a recommended RPM vs gear shift points are given. If it isn't given make up your own. 3000-3500 RPM is a good average shiftpoint, but slow city driving may dictate 2000 or less. and racing would be close to redline, whatever that is for your vehicle. If the car is lugging, jerking, etc it is too high a gear and it isn't smooth. If it isn't smooth shifting it isn't the "right" RPMs.My gut feel - of course accelerating from the lowest RPM will be stressfull. If you are cruising at 1500 in 4th and want to accelerate - downshift - its a load thing.1st - 1000 to 30002nd 1000 to 40003rd 1500 to 40004th 1500 to 50005th 2000 to whatever max speed you can get away with.Second, braking has nothing to do with shifting. If you need to brake it is because you want/need to slow down. Of course, downshifting will also slow you down, and downshifting on hills is very wise - saves brake pads.Normal downshift goes one gear at a time unless you slow down significantly and need to go from 5th to 3rd, 2nd or even 1st. This can be very "regular" driving.Irregular driving:I think you can get 60MPH out of 2nd, so you can do this without braking, but you must put the clutch in and rev up the engine to the point it matches the 2nd gear speed. -- not "regular" driving.Two potential problems.1. you over rev, exceed red line and blow the engine.2. you don't rev and when you release the clutch, you find a need to extract yourself from the windshield.HAVE FUN