Are high revs a sign of bad driving?

[HertsBiker]

All this talk of magic boxes reporting you, makes me wonder why the manufacturers bother developing revvy engines if you aren't allowed to use them. Surely if it is able to review, then let it rev. If you can't go higher than 4000, buy a diesel. If you can't go higher than 2000, you must be a hazard to other road users. And if you need to brake, surely better than a crash? I was taught to keep revs in the midrange!

[kambites]

Depends on what you mean. I'm sure there's an appreciable correlation between people who rev their engines hard and people who cause accidents; but high revs aren't a cause of accidents.

[Fittster]

Honda VTEC need a couple of revs.

[Rammy76]

HertsBiker said:

All this talk of magic boxes reporting you, makes me wonder why the manufacturers bother developing revvy engines if you aren't allowed to use them. Surely if it is able to review, then let it rev. If you can't go higher than 4000, buy a diesel. If you can't go higher than 2000, you must be a hazard to other road users. And if you need to brake, surely better than a crash? I was taught to keep revs in the midrange!

My GSXR 600 doesn't get going until 10000rpm

It all depends on the circumstances, but I don't see why it would be a sign of bad driving to be honest.

[DCLXIV]

My variable valve timing kicks in at 4500rpm. If I shouldn't rev that high, why design the engine like that?

[750turbo]

Fittster said:

Honda VTEC need a couple of revs.

<Looks outside, nods, and agrees>

[RobM77]

I think the sign of a good driver is one who understands their car's engine, its torque peak, characteristics, power etc. That usually means using reasonable revs.

Edited by RobM77 on Tuesday 19th February 19:50

[simon1987]

Depends on the situation.

[pboyd]

No one answer ...too many variables

[Tegis]

5k and slipping on the clutch to get away from a redlight indicates bad driving but using the full rev range when you know how to drive isnt.

[LukeSi]

My MR2 is gutless at low revs. All the power is high up in the rev range.

[Mr Sparkle]

Tegis said:

5k and slipping on the clutch to get away from a redlight indicates bad driving but using the full rev range when you know how to drive isnt.

Indeed, you should wait until the light goes green before lighting them up.

[Ari]

HertsBiker said:

All this talk of magic boxes reporting you, makes me wonder why the manufacturers bother developing revvy engines if you aren't allowed to use them. Surely if it is able to review, then let it rev. If you can't go higher than 4000, buy a diesel. If you can't go higher than 2000, you must be a hazard to other road users. And if you need to brake, surely better than a crash? I was taught to keep revs in the midrange!

What makes you think that using the full rev range is "not allowed" or makes you a "hazard to other road users"?

[otolith]

I don't think those boxes know what revs you are using, I think they are accelerometer and GPS based.

[GrumpyTwig]

My car barely moves below 2.5k rpm , normal driving is generally 2.0k to 3.5k rising to 4k if it avoids changing gear over small distances.

Red lines 7.5k but only goes up there on the odd occasion.

Most NA engines require some revs to get up and going, it's not really safe to enter motorways at 40mph having had to keep the engine below some 'safe' rpm level. Better to use revs and been safe.

[Ari]

GrumpyTwig said:

it's not really safe to enter motorways at 40mph having had to keep the engine below some 'safe' rpm level.

Where are you getting this "safe RPM level" from?

[130R]

I've driven a couple of new shopping cars recently (hire cars) and both of them had these stupid "change up a gear" lights on the dashboard. The one on the Corsa was bright green and just basically flashing non stop which made me keep thinking that something catastrophic had gone wrong with the engine. "2000 rpm? better change up a gear you crazed lunatic"

[GrumpyTwig]

Ari said:

GrumpyTwig said:

it's not really safe to enter motorways at 40mph having had to keep the engine below some 'safe' rpm level.

Where are you getting this "safe RPM level" from?

The kind defined by said 'black box' in the OP.

[McSam]

otolith said:

I don't think those boxes know what revs you are using, I think they are accelerometer and GPS based.

This, and there the thread's purpose ends!

[VinceFox]

If i didnt go above 4k in my m3 evo, there'd be no point having that engine.