Learned something new about my pdk
02-11-2010, 01:04 PM
#46
Three Wheelin'
02-12-2010, 02:53 PM
#50
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I'm a 6-speed guy but am chiming in on the "lugging" and "milage" points in this thread. I find them interesting as after I drove a pdk recently, noticed how it changed up very early compared with my normal technique but also how much better the milage was, I tried the same approach in my 997.2 C2S.
So rather than changing up at 3500-4000 rpm I started changing up at 2000rpm and just using light throttle to avoid loading the engine unduely. And what I found straight away was several things:
So rather than changing up at 3500-4000 rpm I started changing up at 2000rpm and just using light throttle to avoid loading the engine unduely. And what I found straight away was several things:
- The milage improved dramatically. From 15 or so (in US mpg) to over 20 even around town
- Anything above 1000 rpm and the car drives very happily, even on moderate hills
02-12-2010, 03:24 PM
#51
I'm not saying I drive this way all the time but it has for much of my regular commute and it's certainly changed my perceptions of how these cars need to be driven. Hell, these are 180+mph capable true world class sports cars that can be driven to the shops like your grandma's Corolla. Amazing.
The longevity thing is illusive. Mine will be sold long before the engine wears out. Nobody here owns a car museum and, given todays's situation, who is realistically going to own the same long-lived car in 20 years?
Heck, just my opinion. I'm sure I'll suffer for having it.
02-12-2010, 05:52 PM
#52
Rennlist Member
I think the only time that you can possibly damage a Turbo motor with a PDK tranny is if you take it out of gear and free rev it quickly to redline. The momentum of such a high, free-reving engine would carry into territory above the redline. With the car in gear it would appear to be impossible to do a "money shift" or anything like that.
Porsche most likely programs these PDK transmissions for performance as opposed to fuel economy. (Isn't that why the Porsche is purchased?) But a conservative driver can certainly make his conservative nature known by the car as it learns that driver's driving characteristics. If you by nature are a conservative driver, shifting early without winding it out, the PDK will keep note of that. Of course, driving a turbo 911 is significantly different than driving a 997 without a turbo. There is so much excessive torque in a turbo motor than there is little to gain by winding it out.
Porsche most likely programs these PDK transmissions for performance as opposed to fuel economy. (Isn't that why the Porsche is purchased?) But a conservative driver can certainly make his conservative nature known by the car as it learns that driver's driving characteristics. If you by nature are a conservative driver, shifting early without winding it out, the PDK will keep note of that. Of course, driving a turbo 911 is significantly different than driving a 997 without a turbo. There is so much excessive torque in a turbo motor than there is little to gain by winding it out.
Jay
02-13-2010, 02:45 PM
#53
Three Wheelin'
I'm a 6-speed guy but am chiming in on the "lugging" and "milage" points in this thread. I find them interesting as after I drove a pdk recently, noticed how it changed up very early compared with my normal technique but also how much better the milage was, I tried the same approach in my 997.2 C2S.
So rather than changing up at 3500-4000 rpm I started changing up at 2000rpm and just using light throttle to avoid loading the engine unduely. And what I found straight away was several things:
So rather than changing up at 3500-4000 rpm I started changing up at 2000rpm and just using light throttle to avoid loading the engine unduely. And what I found straight away was several things:
- The milage improved dramatically. From 15 or so (in US mpg) to over 20 even around town
- Anything above 1000 rpm and the car drives very happily, even on moderate hills
Great post. 
