Opinions on RPM's

[gmboxster]

My RPM gauge redlines at 6200 (roughly). I do NOT do the following but would like your opinions. Is it harmful to the engine to routinuely rev up to 5000 RPM's before shifting up to the next gear. A salesman told me during a test drive to only shift up after passing the 4000 RPM mark. That was with a 2005 Boxster, I have a 1998, if that makes any difference. I look forward to your opinions. Thanks..

My car redlines at 7,200 RPM. I do a lot of shifting north of 5,000. Except from 1st to 2nd. I don't want to get whiplash!

[Back2DTM]

Its safe. Reving it over 4000rpm once a day is actually healthy for the engine. Keeping it over 4000rpm all the time like road racing wears out the engine faster depends how good the motor oil you use.

[rdancd816]

I drive a '97 2.5. I wil not rev the car above 4000 RPM's until fully warmed up. After hitting the 180 degree mark I rarely shift below 4000 RPM's. That's the power curve sweet spot on the engine. Power mangement is what makes the 2.5 a lot of fun. It's not a rocket, but it does deliver good performance if managed properly. Experiment a bit but respect the machine. IMHO!!

[saaber]

My car is perfectly happy shifting at low rpms and it loves high rpms too. That is one of the things I like about these engines, they are so linear.

I was cruising in town the other day at 35 mph and pushed down on the gas, car accelerated fine, then I looked down and noticed I was in 6th! Unbelievable how smooth and how much power is available even at those low rpms.

I think the dealer that told you above 4k rpm just wanted to help sell the car. I would say you don't want to "lug" it by always being in too high a gear on a regular basis. But beyond that, these cars are made to both drive subdued and sportier high revving driving, so both should be fine. People often say that is one of the things about boxsters and 911s is that you can use them every day compared to some of the more high strung cars.

[texwayne]

like rdancd816 said, make sure your engine is up to temp before high revs. i personally shift at 3K RPMs until the engine is warmed up. then, it's whatever the situation demands. i hardly ever shift past 6300 RPMs because you can grab a higher gear and still stay around 4K RPMs where the torque peaks. although, i have to admit that i've hit the rev limiter in 1st gear several times just from having too much fun.

after im warmed up, i always shift above 4000 rpm

[RandallNeighbour]

The variocam kicks in at 4200 rpm on our 2.5's; the car is designed to be driven in the 4-5k rpm range.

I run mine up to 6k routinely when I take it out to drive the car for the sake of driving the car.

I don't keep it at 6k though while cruising at any speed. No sense wearing out the engine.

Conversely, wearing out my engine would give me a great excuse to put a 3.4 in it!

[rick3000]

When the car is warming up I shift below 4K and cruise at about 3k. Once the car is warmed up I shift between 4K-5k, unless I am out to just drive, then I'll shift between 5k-6k. I normally cruise between 3k and 4k.

the car is designed to be driven in the 4-5k rpm range

I didn't know that. It sounds like it would strain the engine to cruise at that high an RPM. But if you have a valid source, please post it. Maybe I should change my driving style.

[racer_d]

Originally Posted by gmboxster

My RPM gauge redlines at 6200 (roughly). I do NOT do the following but would like your opinions. Is it harmful to the engine to routinuely rev up to 5000 RPM's before shifting up to the next gear. A salesman told me during a test drive to only shift up after passing the 4000 RPM mark. That was with a 2005 Boxster, I have a 1998, if that makes any difference. I look forward to your opinions. Thanks..

As long as the vehicle is within the correct operating temperature ranges (typically between 160 and 240 degrees) feel free to use all parts of the tachometer range, up to redline. On my 2000, it had a 7200rpm redline and pulled great from about 4K rpm till redline. I could shift at 3k rpm or 7k rpm.

I would like to see quantified just how much you would "wear out the engine" by using the designed for operating range. Seems a bit hogwash. Like when the first V-8s were invented, folks wondered how you wouldn't "wear out" the bottom side of the pistons. It just doesn't happen.

[deano_123]

mines tiptronic so i put my foot down on the pedal, the needles goes all the way to the redline then it changes. im sure if this was a bad thing then all the boffs at porsche would have changed the gear change.

people that never go over 4000 revs on an engine that will go to 9000 dont deserve there car and i imagine drive like ****************e

[jmatta]

I don't know why you wouldn't use the upper rpm range (once properly warmed). The car is so much more responsive in the upper rpms. I honestly can't speak for the 2.5s, but the 2.7s and my 3.2 love the upper band; it also makes the sweetest sounds up there.

[Paul]

I'll say it until I wear out or blow up a Porsche, the car was made to run at high rpms on the Autobahn. Running a Porsche all day long at 140 miles per hour above 5000 rpms will not hurt it. In fact most old time Porsche mechanics will tell you it will keep the motor clean.

I've been flooring and shifting warmed up Porsches near redline for decades and have not yet blown a motor.

Bruce says this is not evidence that such activities do not make the motor wear faster, I agree, but I say who cares? I've had so much fun since the 70s that I feel sorry for 90% of the owners of these fine cars.

If you bought the car to enjoy it, then enjoy it.

If you bought it as a status symbol, then wax it and put it in your front yard.

If you can't afford it and are worried about it breaking, sell it.

But whatever you do, drive it regularly and maintain it to Porsche's specs.

[gmboxster]

I usually shift at 2000 rpm just because i'm in town .. But shifting at 4000 feels much better. I can feel the engine really kickin in.. I appreciate all the opinions and i think i'll start driving harder to enjoy this car...

Originally Posted by gmboxster

I usually shift at 2000 rpm just because i'm in town .. But shifting at 4000 feels much better. I can feel the engine really kickin in.. I appreciate all the opinions and i think i'll start driving harder to enjoy this car...

only 2000 rpm ,