Luckymba

Hi all. Proud new owner of an atlas gray 2005 C2S. Newbie question for you. The last manual transmission I drove was a 67 VW convertible. I just knew when to shift based on the sound - car didn't even have a tach. I've been reading this forum about the high reving engine on the 997 and it seems that I should keep the rpms > 3000, which is later than instinct would tell me to shift. For instance in a 25 mph zone should I keep it in second at around 3000 and just hold the course? Obviously don't lug the engine but just want to make sure I'm driving the car as intended. Thanks in advance

Skibum

I always do 25 mph zones in second.

Luckymba

And in general do you shift around 3000 rpm or higher for standard daily driving?

USMC_DS1

As these are high performance engines... low RPMs wears harder on the motor then higher RPMs. I prefer to drive and shift above 3k RPM. Added bonus... that's where the fun begins.

Zeus993

Yep. Keep the revs HIGH. Soon you'll experience the intoxicating howl that occurs up in the 4500 - 6000 range. Sorry, but you'll not get out of 2nd gear in the city, maybe occasionally 3rd. But don't lug it. You've bought a loud get up and go sports car. Congrats and enjoy!

Skibum

Daily driving I shift around 4000 or so. No need to be absurd with the RPM's
Onto the highway I like to bring it up to near 6000.

Spoddle

While warming the car up I shift at around 3k, once warmed up I shift at 3.5k-4k and around 6k when getting on the highway.

utkinpol

for street driving optimal rpm range is 2.5-4.5k. after 4k you may or may not upshift, it only depends of how much you want to save gas. those motors prefer 4k-6k rpm range and they do not like at all to be under 2k rpm, those are not V6 or V8 motors.

FiatCoupe

My girlfriend despairs at me and wonders why I have a 5th and 6th gear as I'm often driving around at 4k. Sounds great and is very responsive there. She says I'm hurting the engine - I keep quiet!

Don't drive it like a diesel, you've bought yourself a sports car!

John

Luckymba

Exactly the info I was looking for. Appreciate the input.

USMC_DS1

Send her this link if she wants proof that higher RPMs are better for your p-car... BTW, this is not the case for mere mortal cars as they are designed for DD(low RPM). The 911 engine is unique in that it was designed for high RPM performance: http://www.hartech.org/docs/buyers%2...20part%205.pdf

Edgy01

It depends. If your manual transmission experience comes from a 1967 Volkswagen then you have an entirely new experience to work with. Porsche engines are high reving engines and require higher RPMs for optimal performance. However today's 997s are considerably different than the 911 from the 70s and 80s. Those engines were small displacement engines and required much higher RPMs for operation to maintain adequate torque throughout your driving range. Always remember that it is all about adequate torque for a given condition. Years ago you had to keep your RPMs north of 4000 all the time to extract as much torque from the engine as possible. For example, as you are accelerating to 100 mph from a stand-still, you would run it up to just shy of redline in first and shift to 2nd, with the resultant shift causing the RPMs to drop to just about 4000 RPMs--keeping you in the optimal torque sweet spot. You would then accelerate again through 2nd on your way to 3rd and shift just shy of redline and watch your RPMs drop to just over 4000 RPMs again. You had to keep the RPMs above 4000 to make sure you have optimal power. But that was years ago.

Today's higher displacement engines are a far cry from a 2.4 or a 2.7 liter flat 6 911 engine. With about 3.6 to 3.8 liters of displacement these things do not require such extreme driving because you get the torque from a much broader range than ever before. Rarely in the 1970s or 1980s would you ever permit your RPMs to drop below 3000. Today, you can actually drive them satisfactorily below 2000! But it all depends upon what you're doing, and want to do. Years ago Porsche used to include a couple of charts in the back of all of their owners manuals that shows where peak HP is developed, and peak torque. Do a search for those figures and discover for yourself that peak torque is no longer just below redline. It's more like 6000-6500 RPM than 7300 RPMs. The only reason to keep the RPMs higher now is if you want the next gear (when accelerating) to start out higher on the RPMs when you shift (e.g., having it begin at 4000 RPMs vice 2500 RPMs) which gives you more torque in that next higher gear.

This doesn't mean that you should be afraid of approaching your redline of 7300 RPMs. Get comfortable with your engine. These things are very strong and can handle a lot. However, you don't need to waste fuel or oil by driving it like a boy-racer all the time because the torque is there now in a much broader band than ever before.

P0rsch3F113

+1 Definitely! My Indy advises to use 2500-3000 (at minimum) as a shift point. I tend to stick around 3000. The car seems to like it better and I smile lots.

utkinpol

2.5k is a shift point for downshift. Seriously, do not drive your car at 1k-1.5k rpms. It is bad for it, even on newer dfi motors.

Palmbeacher

So then what most of you are saying is, driving a PDK in AUTO mode is going to prematurely wear out the engine, because it often keeps the revs below 2000. And no, the PDK does not have a torque converter, so it's not as if there's slippage to "protect" the engine from lugging.

Most of the previous postings, with the exception of "Edgy"'s, is utter misinformation. If it's not lugging, it's not hurting the engine.

That said, if the IMS seal has failed or you have an LN bearing, both of which depend upon cam-chain splash to keep the bearing lubricated and flushed, then a fair mix of 2500+ rpm driving is advantageous. And, interestingly, I have not found any difference in fuel consumption in my commuter driving whether I keep the revs under 2000, or in the 2500-3000 range. The more 4000 and above upshifts the more fuel consumption rises dramatically.