is Vmaxing a car bad for it?
Discussion
as above really. is trying to do a Vmax run (where permitted....of course) and staying there for 20-30secs or so putting the engine/drivetrain under a lot of stress; or is it something that may actually benefit it once in a while? as per another thread i made recently about redlining a car most people seemed to think it was absolutely fine....but what about Vmax....? so long as the oil is reasonably fresh and topped up to the max mark, the coolant is fresh and topped up etc....what's the potential for harm?
Ross.
Ross.
No harm at all over and above normal driving - Vmax will likely not be anywhere close to maximum engine speed for most cars anyway. If the car has been geared correctly Vmax will be at or about maximum engine power; if you can hit the limiter in top you're geared too low.
The big risk for Vmaxing is the tyres IMO; you need to make sure they're in good condition before trying, as a blowout at top speed won't be fun.
The big risk for Vmaxing is the tyres IMO; you need to make sure they're in good condition before trying, as a blowout at top speed won't be fun.
thanks chaps, as i suspected really. tyres are absolutely fine. hopefully no body parts will fly off on the E38....it is old but it's a pretty solid thing, now with 125k miles.
it's somewhat not impressive Vmax when new was either 140mph or 143 (can't remember exactly), i've done 135mph in it before and it was still pulling so pretty sure it's not really lost much power.
regards gearing - 4th gear goes to a theoretical 160mph and peak power is 5500rpm (6500rpm red line) but 5th is really tall....theoretical 220mph indicated!) so it'd stay in 4th for the run.
just curious really. thanks!
it's somewhat not impressive Vmax when new was either 140mph or 143 (can't remember exactly), i've done 135mph in it before and it was still pulling so pretty sure it's not really lost much power.
regards gearing - 4th gear goes to a theoretical 160mph and peak power is 5500rpm (6500rpm red line) but 5th is really tall....theoretical 220mph indicated!) so it'd stay in 4th for the run.
just curious really. thanks!
curlie467 said:
Colt91 said:
No i wouldn't say bad for it. Personally wouldn't Vmax a turbo car for 20-30 seconds though.
Why? not being an arse, just wondered why?
E38Ross said:
as above really. is trying to do a Vmax run (where permitted....of course) and staying there for 20-30secs or so putting the engine/drivetrain under a lot of stress; or is it something that may actually benefit it once in a while? as per another thread i made recently about redlining a car most people seemed to think it was absolutely fine....but what about Vmax....? so long as the oil is reasonably fresh and topped up to the max mark, the coolant is fresh and topped up etc....what's the potential for harm?
Ross.
I managed a sustained period of 140mph on the GPS (empty road for a good few minutes before lifting off for traffic) and cruising at 100/110 or so in my Mustang on the autobahn last week and if anything it's driving better than ever. Ross.
I have no idea if the 102 octane Aral made any difference other than the fact I averaged 27mpg over 1400 miles. Not bad for Alpine roads and autobahns although undoubtedly helped by the fact I stick to speed limits where they are in place. Seems like the decent thing to me given access to an environment where you can drive as fast as you deem prudent.
edit to add: vmax is some 15mph away I suspect but the car feels nose light to me at those speeds so as I had passengers I decided to err on the side of caution this time.
Edited by Motorrad on Sunday 16th September 18:21
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