What RPM range do you drive???

[paintboy]

Life begins at 5000 rpm...

[rem503]

I've bought into the keep it over 3000 rpm idea. I usually run it between 3000 and 4000 with a few blips up to 5500/6000. No high revs when still warming up.

[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). If I drop it all the way down to 3rd I will be in the mid to high 3k range of rpms. Honestly, I don't like leisurely driving at near 4000rpms. It's a different story when I'm out for a spirited drive but not when I'm just cruising to work.

It is hard for me to believe that it is beneficial to my engine to constantly run at 3000-4000rpms vs 2000-2500rpm. I understand you don't want to lug the engine but the car easily cruises at 55mph in 5th gear. I'm not saying never drive in the high rpm range (these cars are designed for that) but it seems to me that driving any car that hard all the time would increase engine failures??? I'm not saying I'm right or wrong, I'm just wanting different opinions on the matter.

[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