I drive hard. I drive off the rev limiter. I use ABS. I squeal the tires on turns. I.e., I drive on the track.

For daily driving, I don't sprint, but after getting to operating temps, I only drive in the power band

Mine says 8.7 this morning. But I was at the track last weekend. One intestesting thing, I reset my trip odometer this before I went to the track - my weekend miles driven was just about 400 miles. And that took me 2 tanks of gas (one complete tank per day).

-td

 

I'll frequently accelerate rapidly from a stop (not a launch, mind you), run it up to 6k RPM in a few gears. I use the brakes firmly for the fun of it. But I don't corner excessivly on the street (i.e. no tire squeal).

Basically, I try to be well behaved on the street...

On the track, it'll be a different story (I haven't tracked the 996 yet).

 

Thanks all for the lovely suggestions and opinions. I will surely open her up a bit more as I gain in confidence and know the limits a bit more. Will look at the Autocross and the PCA chapters and choose.

I was averaging 22 MPG and now I average close to 19!! I am ashamed.

On another note I thought tire pressure at 36f/44r was a bit too much (harsh ride) and eased it to 35/37 on the 18 continentals. The ride is much more comfortable. Anyone else doing that?

Thx.

MiCkEy

 

Pedal to the Metal as often as possible ... drive it like a PORSCHE is meant to be driven

 

nope. I drive it like I own it.... lol

 

Just lift off the gas all the way and coast down.

 

I learned with all my past cars that driving them hard keeps the engine in good shape and responsive; never felt that it would harm the car; just give the engine/oil time to warm up.

As LJpete said, take it to Summit Point http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/. On their web page you'll find an event calendar with links to the car clubs that perform DE events. I do DE events with a variety of clubs, no need to limit to PCA.

For the tire pressure on 18 inch street tires: If you drive her really hard (e.g. track), then the hot pressure is relevant. I bring the cold pressure down to 30-32 front, 32-34 rear and measure at the end of the session 40psi or slightly more which I think is perfect for my driving style. I learned that this cold-warm pressure difference also depends on the tire brand. If I'd start a DE session at 35/37 cold, then I'd end up way too high. The 35/37 can only be meant for relaxed street driving but even on the street I prefer to run lower pressure; important: keep at least 2psi difference between front and rear pressure.

See you at Summit Point soon!

 

Cracks me up to hear people talk about "saving" their engine, or "protecting" it by keeping the revs low.

Once it's warmed up, use the engine like it was meant to be. When accelerating fast, shift at 6800+. Engine brake when coming to a stop to suck the crap that blows by the rings back out to help keep the internals clean. Those blow-by gases/substances can eat up your engine from the inside out. Never accelerate hard from low rpms! That's bogging the engine, and is hard on everything from the engine to the drivetrain, and causes carbon deposits to build up on the pistons! How in the world can you keep the engine running strong and clean by not taking over 4000rpm's?!?!? Keep the engine in it's torque band when driving hard and/or accelerating at more than a moderate rate.

The engine was designed to run, not to bog around town like a granny. You guys live in fear of the engine blowing up, and end up hurting the engine more by babying it. It's like taking a great athelete and telling him to just sit on the couch and never do more than a fast walk, because you want to keep him healthy.

I drive my car hard without abusing it, and it loves me for it. 104k miles and counting and it doesn't burn one drop of oil, drip anything, no rms, and just passed california smog check with excellent emmission numbers.

The people that have issues with high oil consumption and drips and leaks always seem to be the people that say they drive very carefully - "carefully" generally meaning the type of driving that actually isn't good for the engine at all.

 

Watch Walter Rohrl drive his Porsche around the track...he's one of the few that really can drive like he stole it.

 

+1 Here, Here.
Big Fun with GT3's

 

If I didn't hit the rev limiter at least once per trip, I'm not sure why I'd own a Porsche. It's a multi-valve flat-six...it loves (er, NEEDS?) to be revved.

I do find it interesting that you shift your Porsche at a lower RPM than the engine in my other car turns while cruising on the Interstate (4k RPMs).

 

I may not drive it like I stole it, but I do drive it like it's paid for.

 

Mickey6,
As soon as you participate in a DE event you will feel MUCH more comfortable regarding stepping on your gas pedal (and your brake pedal too). Prior to my first DE, I was much more conservative. Now, I love to find myself the only car on a long entrance ramp to a highway (assuming the car is warmed up).
Best wishes,
Andy T

 

Andy,

1+ on a DE letting you know what the throttle and brake pedals will do. My shifts happen much later than they used to after tracking the car at a DE. Something fun about being in the power band and getting it up to redline every now and then when safe.

 

Race car always,street car never.