Safe rev range for fast road use?
Discussion
I always try and maintain a level of sympathy for the cars components (clutch, engine, brakes etc, and responding to the road situation ahead well in advance, be it accelerating or decelerating), now although I feel comfortable driving for reasonably lengthy periods above 3000rpm, with the odd burst up to and maybe above 6000rpm, I stay a bit shy of the higher end of the rev range most of the time, for fear of a big engine bang from my new toy :P - how safe does everyone feel using the higher end of the rev range, and for what kind of prolonged periods? I want to enjoy my car to the most, and still treat the engine with some sympathy. What kind of madness does it take to make the engine blow? I'm referring to the 4.2 AJP.
your thoughts appreciated!
your thoughts appreciated!
I tend to find I'm between 3-4000 most of the time, sometimes up to 5k if I really need to get past something. When I first had the car I used to use 7k plus, but exciting as it was, it was too fast a lot of the time. Other road users don't expect a car to move so quickly 
I find that by using lower revs and thinking ahead I can make much better that average process and its more relaxing (by Cerbera standards
)
I find that by using lower revs and thinking ahead I can make much better that average process and its more relaxing (by Cerbera standards
)Occasionally to 7k, but not beyond out of mechanical sympathy. Only done with everything properly warm, although I wouldn't be surprised if the engine can cope with a bit more. Most of the time 5k is enough to make effective progress. The main thing is to make sure the oil is warm. I watch the oil pressure gauge and make sure that it has started to drop below its cold idle value, before I start pushing on past 3k to warm the engine up properly.
Steve.
Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Friday 6th July 09:55
a) If I'm on my own I love to crawl around at low revs letting the torque do the work. Say up to 3,000.
b) I'm out of 1st staight away, can't see much reason for it.
c) Spot a suitable stretch of road and its 6,500 in 2nd to feel the rear rubber chatter.
d) New passenger onboard and its redline in 2nd for a second and hold it hard in 3rd until I runout of road or they scream for mercy.
e) Wife/kids in car, normal speed limits apply.
f) When I overtake hard in 3rd or 4th, especially on a-roads, I'm staggered to see how fast they vanish in the mirror.
I love this car!
b) I'm out of 1st staight away, can't see much reason for it.
c) Spot a suitable stretch of road and its 6,500 in 2nd to feel the rear rubber chatter.
d) New passenger onboard and its redline in 2nd for a second and hold it hard in 3rd until I runout of road or they scream for mercy.
e) Wife/kids in car, normal speed limits apply.
f) When I overtake hard in 3rd or 4th, especially on a-roads, I'm staggered to see how fast they vanish in the mirror.
I love this car!
Normal use, barely any revs are required to make good progress, the odd dual carriageway moment, up to about 6800 ish, occaisionally a dab more... most weekends sprinting, right up to 6800/7krpm (our air rev limit) repeatedly.
As long as its warmed up and looked after, why not use the full rev range.
70something thousand miles with no engine/box problems what so ever, long may it continue. Agree with what has been said, get familiar with the car before really enjoying it.
Seven years on, its still an absolute missile/wouldnt swap it for anything this side of £100k. 
As long as its warmed up and looked after, why not use the full rev range.
70something thousand miles with no engine/box problems what so ever, long may it continue. Agree with what has been said, get familiar with the car before really enjoying it.
Seven years on, its still an absolute missile/wouldnt swap it for anything this side of £100k. 6500-7k revs is the norm before a gear change is in order after the standard 3-5 mile warm-up at sub 3k revs - with enough open road ahead, or red italian thingamies or eurobox german whattchamacallit's up your chuff.
Threads here report the engine goes pop at continued exposure to 10.5k revs - as measured by the ECU(stuck throttle).
Threads here report the engine goes pop at continued exposure to 10.5k revs - as measured by the ECU(stuck throttle).
Gazzab said:
And be careful sliding it round roundabouts with the kids in the back. They can smack their heads on the rear pillars (apparently).
...and beware braking when they smack their heads on the back of the front seats! 
My youngest used to wear a cycle helmet when he was younger!1st, 2nd, 3rd gear all used to get 7K plus action, and sometimes 4th Had it for about 2 years with no sign of engine trouble (only the starter went which was engine related). The car felt amazing when entering those areas, always used to get an additional kick at about 5K revs. and the noise! 
Had it for about 2 years with no sign of engine trouble (only the starter went which was engine related). The car felt amazing when entering those areas, always used to get an additional kick at about 5K revs. and the noise! Whilst you are playing about with working out change up revs and such, if you find yourself on a private test track try this;
Put it in 5th gear at 70 and floor it, it'll slowly pick up until about 90 where it starts to pull at a reasonable rate... keep your foot planted, you'll find at 130mph it starts to suddenly pull noticeably harder.
Put it in 5th gear at 70 and floor it, it'll slowly pick up until about 90 where it starts to pull at a reasonable rate... keep your foot planted, you'll find at 130mph it starts to suddenly pull noticeably harder.
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