What RPM range do you drive???

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by Meat Head

Here is my dilemma........My drive to work consists mainly of 50-55mph. In 5th gear I'm running around 2200-2500rpms. If I drop it into 4th, I'm at 2700-3000 (I have heard this is the hardest rpm range on our engines so I try to avoid this range for extended periods)..

Great post. I read in the below (65 MPH) post that "VarioCam changeover occurs between 2200-2500 RPM so you don't want to cruise in that range for fear of constantly readjusting cam timing, causing increased wear to the cam chain wear pads."

I have not heard that cruising at 2700-3000 RPMs is hard on your engine. I cruise on the freeway in that range most of the time.

There are so many opinions out there that I too am at a loss as to what is best for engine longevity.

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/43308-65-mph.html

[OHBoxsterS]

Once at temp, I cruise between 2800-4000 rpm. I try to keep it at 3000 or above, but sometimes I drop to 2800 or even 2600 rpm. But I never cruise below 2600.

[black_box]

On the highway, I am a mileage watcher, so around 3k in 6th is my sweet spot to maintain 25 MPG. On fun roads, I love to keep it in VarioCam mode over 4k.

Stop sweating it, your car will (probably) not blow up and if it does, try to have some fun first!

[tomc88]

a lot of people all agreeing to keep revs over 3K but I am sure most aren't actually knowing WHY?
I don't
can someone explain how putting more stress on engine saves parts or the IMSB?
I am keeping it at over 3K but have no idea why!

[heliguy]

Originally Posted by Meat Head

I thought this might be an interesting topic. When the weather permits, I drive my Boxster to work. This commute consists mostly with 12 miles of a twisty two lane country highway averaging 45-60mph. This puts my car at the 2500 rpm range the majority of the time. When everyday driving, I generally shift at around 3000 rpm. If I'm out having a little fun, I like to shift between 4000-5000 rpm. I rarely rev past 5000.

I'm just curious, what are your driving habits? What rpm range do you normally drive?

This is my practice also.

[CoBeerToad]

I'm certainly no expert. I read these threads often, but I really don't like commuting at those high rpm ranges (well, high to me). I won't go into 5th until I'm cruising steady at 60-65 mph, but Chicago rush hour traffic seldom allows those speeds. I try to keep it at 2500 when possible, but occasionally, I'll let it drift to 2000 (never below). However, when I'm between 2000-2500 and I need to accelerate, I'll either downshift or I'll ease into the accelerator.

[flybird]

I have a 2001 base model and I can't think of the last time I used fifth gear , and I don't drive slow!

[Bmod986]

You guys mean to tell me you don't always drive at red line?...

I'm just kidding I like to hit 6700 as often as possible but I can't city drive at 4k rpm. People are gonna think I'm crazy. Well like with everything in life its all a balance. I usually am cruising over 3k or at 3k but in 25mph zones I have to stay in the 2k zone in 4th or 3rd. Don't know if that is bad or not but the car feels smooth at that speed in those gears. Other then that I love to peg the rev counter until I hit the speed limit and maybe a little over. Open up the engine. At the end of the day high revs makes the good noises.

[black_falcon]

Can't believe all the people who drive around above 3k. Waste of gas and excess wear and tear on the motor.

30mph for me would be 3rd gear, but in the 35-45 range I'm in 4th all day long with the revs around 2k. No need for anymore if you're driving down a straight flat city road at a steady speed. Even the 2.5 is tractable in 4th from 1500-2500rpm.

[Mark_T]

Say, weren't you the guy with bits of metal in your oil filter?

[gavinyuill]

Originally Posted by black_falcon

Can't believe all the people who drive around above 3k. Waste of gas and excess wear and tear on the motor.

30mph for me would be 3rd gear, but in the 35-45 range I'm in 4th all day long with the revs around 2k. No need for anymore if you're driving down a straight flat city road at a steady speed. Even the 2.5 is tractable in 4th from 1500-2500rpm.

Maybe time to trade the Porsche in for a Camry.... Drive it like the good Dr meant it to be driven, between 4000 and redline.

[golonaus]

My idle RPM is set at 3100, so go figure

[jb92563]

Its a race car not a cargo hauler.
Its light, nimble and accelerates like a race car so thats how I drive it when the opportunity presents itself.

It loves 3k - 6.5k and when it doesn't anymore then its time for an upgrade or overhaul.

[Nine8Six]

I have no idea where you guys are rev'ing your cars but at 3,500RPM I am already far above the legal speed limits regardless of the gear I am in. Besides it looks/sound a bit silly to rev a "Boxster" on public roads no? (I can imagine other saying "look at the dangerous criminal LOL").

On a circuit, I normally keep it between 4~6k

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

I have no idea where you guys are rev'ing your cars but at 3,500RPM I am already far above the legal speed limits regardless of the gear I am in. Besides it looks/sound a bit silly to rev a "Boxster" on public roads no? (I can imagine other saying "look at the dangerous criminal LOL").

On a circuit, I normally keep it between 4~6k

Well, on the freeway slicing and dicing, 4-6k rpm is around 70-100 mph, which is this cars sweet spot, for both speed and rpms, so yes, a little over the speed limit but not excessive.

If im just droning on the freeway, then yes I put it in 5th at about 70mph, but thats just for constant speed driving, if I want to accelerate, I shift down to 4th.

And on the track, I keep it around 4.5- 6.5k rpm, which is the max torque on the low end and max hp on the top end. I dont see the point of hitting the rev limiter in each gear, since the hp is already dropping off well before 7.2k rpm.

[nobrakes]

Originally Posted by tomc88

a lot of people all agreeing to keep revs over 3K but I am sure most aren't actually knowing WHY?
I don't
can someone explain how putting more stress on engine saves parts or the IMSB?
I am keeping it at over 3K but have no idea why!

Keep it at 3000RPM and higher for better oil circulation which means less friction, less wear and better cooling.......