Tips on driving a 6-speed manual?

My mother bought a 2012 Honda Civic (EU model) a month ago. Her old car was a 1.6 with a 5 speed manual, so I understand it's a little different for her coming into a 1.4 6 speed manual. But the problem she's having is that she can't get the power down when overtaking or going up hills. She keeps saying that her old car was faster which, spec wise, it's not. The Honda is slower to 60 by half a second, but it has 20 more horsepower and a higher top speed, so I don't think it's the car that's the problem. I personally think she's shifting too early, and I keep telling her to stay in gear for longer but she doesn't like going over 3,500 rpm, despite the fact that the car red-lines at 7,000. However I'm no expert. She has been driving a 5 speed all her life so I understand that it will be hard to get used to. She'll be used to the classic 1-10, 2-20 rule, but I know this doesn't really work with a 6 speed. Does anyone have any advice on a), how to drive a 6 speed and (b) how to get the best acceleration out of one?

Power comes near red line. This will not harm the engine. What your friend does is fine for normal driving, and will help with fuel economy. But for passing and going up hills you want the rpms higher.

I would say you are correct about the problem - your mother needs to adjust her driving style to suit the car. A small four needs to rev higher to make it's power than a larger engine does, they don't have as much torque. If she stays under 3500 she is never taking advantage of the power that engine has - Honda engines love to rev. The fact that it's a six speed vs a five doesn't really matter - your mother needs to adjust to the car's engine and gearing. I've had manual cars from 1.6L fours with 6 speeds (my current car) and V8's with 3 speeds, you need to adjust to the car. Tell her if she wants to baby the engine don't go over 6K, that's still 1000 under the red, she'll see a big difference in the power vs what she's experiencing now.

Honestly driving a 5 speed isn't all that different than a 6 speed. When I'm driving I just think of it as another gear. Also I look at my rpm gage but I like to hear the sound of the engine more and when it hits a certain note i shift. In reality she probably is shifting too soon. Tell her to listen for the loud vvvrrrooom of the engine before shifting (obviously not redlining it). Cars i've had usually make the noise at 5 rpms. And always remember to downshift if on a steep hill to get the most power out of the car

She is not shifting too early. Just the opposite… Too late.a 6speed box means the engine is revving lower in 6th and the engine will not pull as well.so for overtaking its not unusual to drop down to 4th gear…5th gear if going over 55mph… She should not b e revving over 3500 in normal driving conditions

Definitely shifting too early. Hondas like to rev and she won't get any power out of it at 3000 revs. It has a 6 speed box so you can keep the engine in what is, compared to many cars, a fairly narrow power band.