RPMs vs longevity
02-03-2016, 03:39 PM
#16
There is a reason that racing engines - which operate near the top end of their RPM range, don't last very long. When you get near red line, the stress on the operating components (pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft, camshaft, etc) are literally shaking and vibrating themselves into oblivion.
02-03-2016, 04:04 PM
#18
Race Director
My Acura is now nearing 220k miles. Gets redlined at every opportunity when warmed up. Car sits at 4000+ RPM for 10+ miles at a time every time I drive to snowbowl when climbing the I-17. I've never babied the car, and it gets driven aggressively all the time. Longevity is unaffected.
2. It may have gone 220k miles, but what is the condition of the engine? How much power has it lost? Whats the condition of the bearings? It may not have failed yet, but who knows what condition it is in.
02-03-2016, 04:18 PM
#19
But it could also have died of boredom in exactly the opposite way.
02-03-2016, 04:38 PM
#21
No its a car...
The point is there is no definable end, no right or wrong, the OP suggests this as they lit the blue paper and retired a safe distance.. It is easy to slow drive an engine to death my mother in law does it on a family hatch 1250cc its clogged up, chocked up and chucks out so much crud when its taken up to anything above 5000 revs it is as I say dying from boredom.. In human terms the heart attack waiting to happen couch potato..
As you say - quite rightly - the thrashed / high revved car is likely to die from stress
Both end up in the same position - in need of repair no right or wrong!
OS_R
The point is there is no definable end, no right or wrong, the OP suggests this as they lit the blue paper and retired a safe distance.. It is easy to slow drive an engine to death my mother in law does it on a family hatch 1250cc its clogged up, chocked up and chucks out so much crud when its taken up to anything above 5000 revs it is as I say dying from boredom.. In human terms the heart attack waiting to happen couch potato..
As you say - quite rightly - the thrashed / high revved car is likely to die from stress
Both end up in the same position - in need of repair no right or wrong!
OS_R
02-03-2016, 04:57 PM
#22
Race Director
No its a car...
The point is there is no definable end, no right or wrong, the OP suggests this as they lit the blue paper and retired a safe distance.. It is easy to slow drive an engine to death my mother in law does it on a family hatch 1250cc its clogged up, chocked up and chucks out so much crud when its taken up to anything above 5000 revs it is as I say dying from boredom.. In human terms the heart attack waiting to happen couch potato..
As you say - quite rightly - the thrashed / high revved car is likely to die from stress
Both end up in the same position - in need of repair no right or wrong!
OS_R
The point is there is no definable end, no right or wrong, the OP suggests this as they lit the blue paper and retired a safe distance.. It is easy to slow drive an engine to death my mother in law does it on a family hatch 1250cc its clogged up, chocked up and chucks out so much crud when its taken up to anything above 5000 revs it is as I say dying from boredom.. In human terms the heart attack waiting to happen couch potato..
As you say - quite rightly - the thrashed / high revved car is likely to die from stress
Both end up in the same position - in need of repair no right or wrong!
OS_R
That said, we all know thats not why we bought the cars, so you trade off some life (how much is anyone's guess) for the fun of opening the throttle and giving it some rpm.
There are extremes at both ends and then the happy medium.
anecdotally, My grandfather had an Audi 80 that he would upshift at 1500rpm. Car lasted 200k kilometers and drove reasonably well. It was a bit down on power, but ran relatively smoothly.
02-03-2016, 05:24 PM
#23
Rat Balls
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I will not own my current car much past 40K miles. I'm fairly certain it will last until then, so I'm not very concerned with the subject.
I own my Porsche because of the performance AND the fact it is a tremendous daily driver. It serves 2 wonderful purposes.
There are times when it feels sluggish. Usually that's when it had been daily driven far more often than opened up on the freeway. That's always remedied by a few quick on ramp sessions and 75(+)MPH cruises in 4th. Yes, an Italian Tune Up. But it works.
Owning a 911 but worrying about engine wear under load is counter productive to the experience. That's why God made Honda Accords...
I own my Porsche because of the performance AND the fact it is a tremendous daily driver. It serves 2 wonderful purposes.
There are times when it feels sluggish. Usually that's when it had been daily driven far more often than opened up on the freeway. That's always remedied by a few quick on ramp sessions and 75(+)MPH cruises in 4th. Yes, an Italian Tune Up. But it works.
Owning a 911 but worrying about engine wear under load is counter productive to the experience. That's why God made Honda Accords...
02-03-2016, 05:27 PM
#24
Addict
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How about using all of the RPM range? That way you get the advantages of low wear (let's say on the highway you slap it into 6th gear) but around town you run it up to the redline to have some fun with the car?
Just like everything else I see moderation as being the key. So by exploring all parts of the tach you're in many ways moderating the use of the engine.
I've got 160k on mine and I still drive it as if it only had 30k. Sometimes I hit the redline, other times I shift at 3k RPM - just depends on the situation and whether I want to feel some of the additional power or not.
Just like everything else I see moderation as being the key. So by exploring all parts of the tach you're in many ways moderating the use of the engine.
I've got 160k on mine and I still drive it as if it only had 30k. Sometimes I hit the redline, other times I shift at 3k RPM - just depends on the situation and whether I want to feel some of the additional power or not.
02-03-2016, 05:42 PM
#25
Three Wheelin'
To the OP, once warmed up it's your car so drive it anyway you want. Personally I find my car most fun to drive between 3,500 - 5,000. I rarely go above 5,000 rpm and not for extended periods of time. Cruising on the highway for a long trip maybe it's sitting at 2,400 rpm. You are probably correct that the sweet spot is 3,000 - 4,000 rpm
02-03-2016, 05:43 PM
#26
Race Director
Do you honestly think that that your car is building up so much carbon due to daily driving that it is having a noticeable impact on how the car runs?
Back when carburetors were popular, cars didn't run as well when cold, at low rpms, and small throttle openings. Hence the italian tune up would work reasonably well.
Its placebo on a modern car.
02-03-2016, 05:52 PM
#28
Race Director
No, it doesn't.
Do you honestly think that that your car is building up so much carbon due to daily driving that it is having a noticeable impact on how the car runs?
Back when carburetors were popular, cars didn't run as well when cold, at low rpms, and small throttle openings. Hence the italian tune up would work reasonably well.
Its placebo on a modern car.
Do you honestly think that that your car is building up so much carbon due to daily driving that it is having a noticeable impact on how the car runs?
Back when carburetors were popular, cars didn't run as well when cold, at low rpms, and small throttle openings. Hence the italian tune up would work reasonably well.
Its placebo on a modern car.
02-03-2016, 05:53 PM
#29
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Comes into the shop later with misfires at idle, rough running, etc. Take the head off a fuel injected V12 that doesnt get pushed at all, with running issues and good fuel, its all carbon.
So much so, Mercedes had a special fuel additive. The other part of the repair instructions was an Italian tune up.
So, yes, the Italian tune up does work on fuel injection cars.
