Best way to drive

[Steve Woods]

This is kind of a generic question... and probably dumb.

I was told you can actually do more damage to an engine if you drive it too slowly, than if you open it up. Is this true?

I only ask as my driving style around town is normally to get up to about 30 (or 40 if theres not much traffic, you know how it is) in SECOND gear, and then just throw it into fifth straight away...

Am i going to cause any harm, and is there a recommended way to actually drive the engine??

S.

 

[Miroslav]

Gears

It doesn't do any harm to go through all the gears ). Don't drive too agressive (especially with cold engine) eg. over 6000rpm all the time, and not below 1500rpm. It's advised to push the pedal to the floor, on highways of course, from time to time, because in this way engine cleans itself.

Miroslav

 

[patrick]

Geordie drivers.....lol

I presume fiat put all those differant gears in for a reason?

When starting from cold, never go above 3000 revs until the oil temp has warmed yp and the temp needle is hovering on the normal point.

About once a fortnight or so, take it for a blast, keeping it in a lower gear than normal, just to help burn off carbon deposits etc, also do this, just before you go for an emmisions test as part of your MOT

 

[Nigel]

It aint a baby

All aero engines are "run in" at full revs and therefore all engines should be taken to their limit at all times otherwise evolution would not have taken place

thrash thrash thrash....its the Italian way (and Jaguar of course....... 152 today yeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh in RS! ...and then I **** myself!

cheers

N

Anyone for Mallory on Sunday for the Jag day???????

 

[patrick]

who is going?

Will ketchup be there?

 

[Anonymous]

THRASH IT

It's only a car - do you honestly think they put
high performance engines in a car - that are supposed
to last 200k miles , that they will BLOW UP if you
thrash it from cold ??
As long as you got decent oil in , kill it from the
off.
This - be nice to it when its cold is for old cars
with crap cheapo halfords oil.

I hit the rev limited in under 4 secs from pulling
off every morning - how else can you get in the right
frame of mind for the day !

 

[SchumaniaC]

Re: THRASH IT

Mr Anonymous,

I absolutely dont agree with your argument. The 'take care till warmed up' applies to all engines. Remember that no matter how good the oil is, there is always an operating temperature that you have to reach before you can fully exploit the oil's peak lubricating performance. Otherwise you will be tearing away at the shafts and pistons at a frightening rate which will force you to dump the engine in no time!
To prove my point check this out: The latest BMW M3's rev counter incorporates an F1 style rev limit flashing LCD display which lights up to warn you when changing gear is due. The M3 is so advanced that when the engine is cold the change-gear flash light comes up as early as 3500rpm and rises as the engine warms up!

 

[Schumaniac]

Re: Gears

Miroslav,

What do you mean by 'the engine cleans up'? I have heared this before and never really understood it. They say that an occasional pedal to the metal on 5th from low speed is healthy and helps the upkeep of the compression. Any light on this?

 

[patrick]

Schuey

I somehow think my engine and your engine will last a lot longer...dont you?

 

[Anonymous]

how long ?

Are you planning on keeping your cars - for the entire
life on the engine ??
F*ck it , I stand by my original argument - rev the
f*ck off from the start - let the poor sap in 4 years
time who ends up with it worry about the problems !

Also the M3 - the lights coming on are mearly a suggestion , as with most road signs and speed limits - doesn't mean you have to do as it says.
Christ I bet your car is wrapped in cotton wool.

 

[Schumaniac]

Re: how long ?

No anonymous, my bravo is not wrapped in cotton wool and I bet that I kick my cars ass more than you ever thought I did but still I take care of the fundemental procedures to take care of the engine and body. Its just that I dont like to drive around in worn out and f_cked up engines and get my ass wipped when ripping away from the lights side by side with a Pug 106 1.0.

It doesnt take long to start seeing the damage...your engine oil's viscosity is reduced to nil in a matter of weeks and thats where the **** starts.

And btw, how many times did you start jogging (sprinting) straight out of bed the second that you wake up?

and why the hell am i bothering about your engine anyway...happy walking!

 

[craig]

nice one schu

 

[patrick]

Whens the bus due?

Hey anonymous, dont bother asking shuey for a lift........lol

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Whens the bus due?

You didn't get the point really did you ?.
You have a car , thrash the ar5e of it for a year or two , flog it - get another one.
That way you have alot of fun and none of the consequences - sort of like pulling a bird , shafting her and skipping in the middle of the night (whilst
taking a tenner out of her purse for taxi).

As for the jogging lark as soon as I get up , I tend to go for a swim each morning - which is within 20 mins of waking up - never did me any harm , same for my car which I rev to the limits on the way to that said swim.

Tell you what I like , being anonymous by someone whos
goal in life is to give a tug on a schumachers fat one.

Anyway back to the point.

You drive your car the way you want , i'll drive mine and then hopefully flog it to some mug like you who will think its been well looked after.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Whens the bus due?

You may be anonymous mate but I think it's pretty safe to say most of the people on here have made a note not to buy a Bravo (or anything for that matter) from someone who works at Tag Electronic Systems in Woking..

So it won't be any of us mugs

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Re: Whens the bus due?

I am not anon - I just can't be bothered to fill that
in - so add to your note list someone called Craig

 

[patrick]

Moneys worth

How the hell do you get your moneys worth then?

Buying a car every two or three years is just pouring money down the drain, surely its better to have one for a fair while, get some decent milage plus wear and tear out of it, then replace it?

I give mine some fair stick, but only after its been warmed up and I look after the engine and oil etc.

that way it still looks good, sounds good, and IS good

 

[Anonymous]

WARMING UP

I treat my car as my wife. When I need her, I did not rush direct to her hole (I warming her up first)b'cos her hole need to lubricate. In return, she gives me good response & satisfaction. Less friction increase the engine torque! arrgh.

So as my car's engine. up to U guys

Cheers

 

[Rob D]

Re: It aint a baby

Speaking of other Motors I'm taking mine to York Drag way this Sunday? Hoping to get some thing under 14 seconds.

I'd given up all hope of getting it on the quater mile this year as I've been so busy during the weekends but it's looking like I'm gonna do it this weekend. At the very last of the York Drag way meets. As this one is a one off event.

Si if you fancy coming up give me a shout bud.

Rob D

what was the original post about??!?

haha

 

[Anonymous]

Re: WARMING UP

Never tried rubbing the misses with Castrol GTX - but i'll give it a go !

Also about money (think it was Patrick) - you don't get value for money - but you never do , cars are just a big financial drain.
I buy them one year old , sell them when they are three years old , sure you lose a bit of money - but the amount you sell it for is always enough to clear the car loan.
The you take out a fresh car loan and get a new car and the cycle begins again.