I don't normally drive fast and hard.

My question, is it damaging to the engine to take it up to 4500 rpm before changing gears.
This still seems to be far off from the redline.

Stilo 1.6 16V

Would the engine last longer by never going over 3500 rpm or is it OK to push a little harder.

Cheers !

mines bin near the redline on the odd occassion, burns bit more oil but other than that has been fine. need to give it the beens occasionally to clear out the engine.

I try to keep it under 3000rpm before the engine's up to temperature, sometimes even under 2500rpm. I don't drive her that enthusiastically though, so tend not to rev the arse off her.

Saying that, even without an induction kit/exhaust, I reckon the engine does sound fairly sweet when utilised to it's full potential. So there has obviously been the odd occassion when I've went nearer the redline

Once on tempreture, is it OK to rev a litte without damage to the motor

I am amazed. Ofcourse the engine can handle 4500 RPM +. You still have 2000 RPM before the torque curve turns. Changing gears around 3000 RPM sounds worse than my father. I'm near the red line every day, and that's not very hard driving - I just like the sound and response from the engine at high revs. Having some torque while changing to higher gear is a good idea. And I've been doing it for years - and the engine is in top condition, and doesn't drink a drop of oil.

Wait until operating temp. before giving full throttle.

I sometimes hit 7000rpm in the 100HP :devil:

Morty Mort said:

...Changing gears around 3000 RPM sounds worse than my father...

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I like to drive economically most of the time

Obviously I don't always do that though, if I need to overtake for example, the rev happy nature of the 16v always helps Though I do wish I had about double the power on many an occasion

If you consistently take your engine to the red line on every occasion then there can be no question that you will shorten it's life compared to someone who doesn't - and you'll also use a lot more fuel too . Try to do this when it's cold and the reduction in life will be dramatic

Driving to the red line (and even beyond subject to the limiter) is purely about power. Very few times during day to day driving (if at all) do you need to demand full power from your engine but you shouldn't be reluctant to use it when you need it. For example, overtaking cars is best done as quickly as possible (unless you're truly confident of the road ahead).

On the other hand, revving to the red line on the open road, or in any situation where you don't actually need to get in front of something, is pointless as you're just creating a bit more engine wear and using a lot more fuel for no gain (unless of course you just like the sound of the engine )

Ever driven in Italy? A FIAT engine is made to survive abuse from Italian drivers far worse than you'll ever give it. I recall being passed by a 1.1 Uno obviously driven flat out for hours on end on the Autostrada..!

In my Alfa Romeo days I also remember my garage telling me they often got customers in complaining of rough running. They simply took the car round the block and gave the engine a good thrashing and performance was restored. 'They weren't designed to be driven like the English do' was the comment.

Yellow Peril said:

Ever driven in Italy? A FIAT engine is made to survive abuse from Italian drivers far worse than you'll ever give it. I recall being passed by a 1.1 Uno obviously driven flat out for hours on end on the Autostrada..!

In my Alfa Romeo days I also remember my garage telling me they often got customers in complaining of rough running. They simply took the car round the block and gave the engine a good thrashing and performance was restored. 'They weren't designed to be driven like the English do' was the comment.

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Word.

We drove the Ritmo Abarth at 5500 RPM for hours constantly in 5th gear when travelling to the Roskilde festival. And the Uno 1.1 (as mentioned) I had flat out at max speed (not very fast though) aswell. You can't break them if you take good care of them. An enthustiastically driven and well taken care of engine can be in better shape than a neglected engine driven at max 3000 RPM.

M.

Morty Mort said:

An enthustiastically driven and well taken care of engine can be in better shape than a neglected engine driven at max 3000 RPM.

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This could well be true, but like for like, there can be no question that holding extended revs will put a greater strain on an engine than if it's only (say) maintained at max torque during the same period.

I've driven in Italy and I have say my greatest concern is not the Italians over revving their engines (or simply driving fast) but more to avoid someone putting a dent in my motor (because to have a dent free motor makes you the odd one out )

This could well be true, but like for like, there can be no question that holding extended revs will put a greater strain on an engine than if it's only (say) maintained at max torque during the same period.

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You are right ofcourse. But you brits are propably used to Jaguars and (st)Rollers with 8 pots and high torque at low RPM.

I've driven in Italy and I have say my greatest concern is not the Italians over revving their engines (or simply driving fast) but more to avoid someone putting a dent in my motor (because to have a dent free motor makes you the odd one out )

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Haha! And un-dented little Fiat in Italy. That is extraordinary... But they are extremely good at parking though. They fit in everywhere.

Morty Mort said:

Haha! And un-dented little Fiat in Italy. That is extraordinary... But they are extremely good at parking though. They fit in everywhere.

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LOL

Change at 3500rpm to get best perfomance but as you've heard already some of the guys are going upto 7000 before changing............You tend to use a bit more fuel when you do give it the beens though.

The answer is No it's not damaging

StevenkSengwayo said:

Change at 3500rpm to get best perfomance.........

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You wont get very good performance changing at 3500rpm

.....and come to that you wont get really good economy either.

Argonought said:

.....and come to that you wont get really good economy either.

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why not..........trip says I'm averaging 41mpg.

I'm not just waffling

StevenkSengwayo said:

why not..........trip says I'm averaging 41mpg.

I'm not just waffling

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Not bad at all for a 1.6 I guess (I assume)

....but still reckon you'd do better still with an earlier change :chin:

Anyway, cost / economy regarding fuel is the least (and last) I think of. Owning a car is quite expensive, and the fuel is propably just a few % of it.

Argonought said:

Not bad at all for a 1.6 I guess (I assume)

....but still reckon you'd do better still with an earlier change :chin:

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It's a 1.2 actually and I don't dispute the earlier change as I often change early. I think it's much kinder on the car and the car seems to respond really well.........................oh well they're all opinions at the end of the day

i take mine to 6000rpm a few times aday. most times its 5-5.5k

if im conserving fuel its 2.5k haha.

as long as the engine is looked after you wont have many problems