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with out bringing the holy thread revival

I've been driving a manual for the last 6 years. I'm not new to it, but looking to improve my habits. In terms of shifting technique and prolonging my engine/transmission life and best fuel economy, when is the best time to shift?

Before you get started, i'm not concerned about getting the most power out of my acceleration. when there is traffic around I'll accelerate at the speed of surrounding traffic. When there is no traffic though, i like to accelerate slow and coast when possible. what is the lowest rpm threshold that would be safe for the drive train to accelerate?

disclaimer- i'm well aware of manuals recommended shift speeds. please don't tell me to read the book

 
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3k-3.5k is when i shift, it's the best mix of power and economy i've found. a friend of mine swears by 2k aka shifting as low as possible. its killing his clutch, transmission and gas mileage too, but he won't believe it.

 
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why would it be hard on clutch and tranny? Correct me if i'm wrong but if he is rev matching wouldn't it cause same wear and tear as higher shifts?

 
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oh, but he doesn't rev match. he just lets the clutch out way too fast and then floors it to have a decent acceleration from such a low rpm, thereby straining the drivetrain.

 
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Roger, Roger.

If then one were to shift early, rev match and just avoid lugging at 1200rpm ish, is there any harm done to the drive train?

 
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probably not, but you're not gonna accel very quickly at all. alot of fuel mileage depends on you're cruising speed. air resistance becomes a huge factor the faster you go. 75mph is much worse than 65 is much worse than 55. at highway speeds, it doesn't matter how you got there, it pretty much just matters your cruising speed.

 
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2800 rpms is best for mileage

 
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Are you guys talking about rev-matching while upshifting? Cause I have to do that in my car.

 
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There's no set truth like "2800 is best." For example going up a hill it's better to reach a high rpm rather than shifting early. You will save more gas that way. Going up a hill in 4th gear and you can't accelerate because your cars power is maxed results in poor gas mileage. It's like peddling a bike uphilll in high gear, you face a penalty.

 
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yeah i shouldve specified on flat road, normal driving.