Revcounters - who uses them?

[Sy1441]

I've set mine to flash at 6k, saves looking when your driving "with spirit"

[MarJay]

I use mine just to check I'm not going to smash into the limiter.

[jhonn]

Riley Blue said:

I question the need for one in a 05 1.4L Fiesta diesel but it has one - why?

Good question! and kind of the point I was making when starting the thread.

If anything, the responses have shown me that we all have different needs from our instrumentation - some Fiesta diesel owners will swear by the need for a revcounter, others not so much.

I suspect that the manufacturer fits it as standard to 'lift' the image, make it appear as a more premium or sporty product; for all of the cost of the gauge it may cost them more to engineer it out for lesser models, than leave it in.

[Pebbles167]

I dont really use it, in any of my cars or bikes (once I've got used to them of course) In my diesel van, I look at it more.

When I drive on track in a my 306 Rallye, I almost never look at the speedo or rev counter, I'm not going to pretend I know exactly what RPM I'm at, but I know when to change.

That said, I'd miss it if I didn't have one.

[V8forweekends]

Use mine all the time, have in all cars. Interesting to see where engine speed is in relation to other things happening. As I tend to use the full rev range (normally aspirated petrol V6) sometimes it helps to know when I need to change up - trying to judge by sound alone would be tricky.

I have fitted accessory ones in the olden days when they didn't come as standard.

[Pebbles167]

I agree, I do do that. I consider that working out a new car. Helps me find where the flat spots are and where the power is. Once you've had the combination of looking at the clock and listening out it no longer becomes constantly necessary, but is nice to have.

[chris1roll]

Back in the days of carbs and breaker points my mate used to thrash the nadgers off his car (aged 18/19). Then when he got a higher spec version of the same car it became apparent from the engine noise vs the rev counter he must have been hitting a good 7.5k+ revs on a 6k redline

[Baryonyx]

My motorbike doesn't have one. I make the changes by the feel of the engine, although there are gear position markers on the speedo. It takes some feel, getting to know where you are in the gearbox on a bike as there is often no gear indicator and nothing to reference like you have in a car.

[Pebbles167]

Baryonyx said:

My motorbike doesn't have one. I make the changes by the feel of the engine, although there are gear position markers on the speedo. It takes some feel, getting to know where you are in the gearbox on a bike as there is often no gear indicator and nothing to reference like you have in a car.

What bike is this? out of interest. Some sort of classic?

[deltashad]

I look a the rev counter and engine temperature probably as much as the speedo.

From cold I like to keep the revs low and when I'm giving it some abuse I like to know what speed the engine is spinning at.

[T0MMY]

56Lotus said:

No speedo only a rev counter in my Lotus

This means I'm getting quick at mental arithmetic, 600rpm = 10mph

30mph = 1800rpm
40mph = 2400rpm
70mph = 4200rpm

Before the questions, a speedo was an optional extra when first purchased in 1956 and not included when I used to have a MOT, not sure what the BIB would say if I was stopped.

Jon

I had no working speedo in my car for a long time and got very used to using the rev counter instead. Very easy as in 6th I just had to divide RPM by 100 to get my speed. Funnily enough now the speedo is working again I still use the rev counter to check my speed and it's actually more accurate.

[MC Bodge]

I learnt to drive without a rev counter and have driven cars and bikes without them.

I use the car rev counters all the time. If you are a keen driver in a Manual car and like to "exercise" the engine, why wouldn't you?

On my bike the rev counter is useful for normal riding, but is actually mounted a bit too low down for when looking well ahead whilst giving it the full beans in gears 1,2 or 3, so the very bright shift light(s) do come in quite handy.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

On a track when 10ths count I can understand the necessity of hitting the perfect revs,

However even spirited driving on UK roads I cannot see why you would possibly need to check the rev counter before you knew when to change gear.

[MC Bodge]

hora said:

I found that when you ignore ALL dials you relax and drive soo much more smoother.

Using "The Force"? Are your passengers as relaxed when you are driving in a stupor?

[Catatafish]

I use it a bit to calibrate my ears when new to the car, then less and less over time.

[anonymous-user]

I don't. Being a driving enthusiast i take car driving seriously, which is why i bought my racing honed SLK amg.

I wear thin soled shoes to ensure i have full connection with the car, as well as sit low in the seat. I also drive with the radio off so i car hear all the engine when on full power, the race honed diesel engine really does give you warning on up changes.

[entropy]

I generally shift at 2000rpm, higher for more spirited driving or if I'm flooring it then timing the shift right so as not to hit the rev limiter.

[BritishRacinGrin]

MC Bodge said:

hora said:

I found that when you ignore ALL dials you relax and drive soo much more smoother.

Using "The Force"? Are your passengers as relaxed when you are driving in a stupor?

What a curious response

[MrOrange]

Mines hidden off to the side, and as it revs pretty quickly I've been caught out running into the ratatatat of the soft cut driving in manual mode.

[MikeT66]

I use the Rev Counter constantly in the Puma. Between 2500-3000rpm is best for fuel economy - over 3000rpm and fuel economy drops massively. It means 30mph/3rd gear, 40mph/4th gear, and anything over 50mph/5th gear. I also keep an eye on it for when the engine is cold - making sure I don't push the revs too high until the engine is properly warmed up.