driving below 2800 RPM = trouble?

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by vath2001

If I had to keep my car above 2800rpm most of the time, I would never use 4th or 5th with my Tip. I understand to not lug the engine down, but rolling down the road at 2200-2800rpm is not going to destroy an engine. If I need the extra boost, I drop down a gear or two to pass or climb a hill and run the revs into the 4000-5000 range. But once I'm done, I drop back to crusing range.

Is this wrong?

Nope. This is the way to better gas mileage and reduced wear on your car.

[Lil bastard]

Well, just to add a little more fact to the mix, here is what Porsche says about engine operation and gear shift points from the '99 owners manual:

"The specified maximum rpm figures should not be exceeded when shifting down, exceeding the safe operating limit can result in damamge to the engine.

For smooth shifting, observe observe the following shift points (applies to standard gear ratios only):

Maximum downshifting points

• 5th to 4th ... 120mph/193km/h or 5100rpm
  4th to 3rd ... 84mph/135 km/h or 4700rpm
  3rd to 2nd ... 56mph/90 km/h or 4400rpm
  2nd to 1st ... 35mph/56 km/h or 4000rpm

Minimum upshifting points

• 1st to 2nd ... 15mph/24 km/h or 3000rpm
  2nd to 3rd ... 25mph/40 km/h or 2900rpm
  3rd to 4th ... 40mph/64 km/h or 3100rpm
  4th to 5th ... 45mph/72km/h or 2500rpm"

Now it seems to me, by strictly observing this, you'll be in the 'disputed' range and not lugging the engine.

[Perfectlap]

Interesting...I don't think I've ever downshifted to 1st from 2nd.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

Well, just to add a little more fact to the mix, here is what Porsche says about engine operation and gear shift points from the '99 owners manual:

"The specified maximum rpm figures should not be exceeded when shifting down, exceeding the safe operating limit can result in damamge to the engine.

For smooth shifting, observe observe the following shift points (applies to standard gear ratios only):

Maximum downshifting points

• 5th to 4th ... 120mph/193km/h or 5100rpm
  4th to 3rd ... 84mph/135 km/h or 4700rpm
  3rd to 2nd ... 56mph/90 km/h or 4400rpm
  2nd to 1st ... 35mph/56 km/h or 4000rpm

Minimum upshifting points

• 1st to 2nd ... 15mph/24 km/h or 3000rpm
  2nd to 3rd ... 25mph/40 km/h or 2900rpm
  3rd to 4th ... 40mph/64 km/h or 3100rpm
  4th to 5th ... 45mph/72km/h or 2500rpm"

Now it seems to me, by strictly observing this, you'll be in the 'disputed' range and not lugging the engine.

Good stuff. thanks.\

[dennis]

My only confusion when reading all these posts is that everyone praises the car for being both a daily driver and high performing vehcle and I agree with that but if the rpm level is so sensetive I think less people would praise it around town, unless they all have tips?

[Lobo1186]

its not there are all too many failures out there I just think what this thread is trying to say that is IF there is a failure its in car that hasnt been pushed at all and is kept at very low revs.

[sasha055]

Something doesn't add up

1. TIP is not known for IMS failures. TIP usually keeps car at Very Very low RPM's, usually around 1500-2000 RPM's. If we take a driver that doesn't push the car.. it will never go above 4K PRM
-- This is very different from:
2. Driving a manual transmission under 2800 RPM = trouble

Logically.. to avoid IMS failures.. you should start in 2nd and rarely get to 2800RPM.. to simulate TIP.... (and of course don't push hard in low rpms)

am I missing something?

Sasha