How do I drive my Porsche?
Discussion
Hi. Okay, hopefully I won't get slaughtered? But how should I be driving my Porsche?
I've recently acquired an 986 Boxster, which I absolutely love, as I've wanted a Porsche for as long as I can remember. However I've never driven a sports car before, just crappy little hatchbacks for tootilling around town, which is what I'm currently using the Boxster for, but I keep reading that when driving a sports car a different driving style should be adopeted.
When I Learnt to drive I was taught to change up through the gears as soon as possible so as to not place any unessarssery strain on the engine. As i understand it this is not how I should be driving a Porsche, 'giving it some revs' as I understand it means, once the engine has reached operating temperature, I should be changing up through the gears (2 to 5) as late as possible? Thus giving it some revs.
Have I got that right?
As I said, hopefully I won't get slaughtered here, everyone has to learn right? And I like to use the car properly as it deserves to be driven so any help would be appriciated.
Cheers.
I've recently acquired an 986 Boxster, which I absolutely love, as I've wanted a Porsche for as long as I can remember. However I've never driven a sports car before, just crappy little hatchbacks for tootilling around town, which is what I'm currently using the Boxster for, but I keep reading that when driving a sports car a different driving style should be adopeted.
When I Learnt to drive I was taught to change up through the gears as soon as possible so as to not place any unessarssery strain on the engine. As i understand it this is not how I should be driving a Porsche, 'giving it some revs' as I understand it means, once the engine has reached operating temperature, I should be changing up through the gears (2 to 5) as late as possible? Thus giving it some revs.
Have I got that right?
As I said, hopefully I won't get slaughtered here, everyone has to learn right? And I like to use the car properly as it deserves to be driven so any help would be appriciated.
Cheers.
Edited by 356A on Friday 10th August 07:49
Just use more of the rev range as you build up your confidence with the car. With a quickish car I often blockshift - ie if the road ahead is clear I might use virtually all of the rev range in 2nd gear but then change straight up into 6th (ie missing out 3,4 and 5). Its rare that I use that much of the rev range in 1st, so generally its only 2nd and 3rd gear where I use more of the rev range and I tend to keep the revs below 3k rpm for the first 10 minutes if I can (why didn't Porsche fit an oil temperature gauge).
As the roads are becoming more and more congested, whenever the car is up to temperature and an opportunity arises to safely use the performance/ rev range of the engine then I do so...
As the roads are becoming more and more congested, whenever the car is up to temperature and an opportunity arises to safely use the performance/ rev range of the engine then I do so...
Cheers guys, trying to get my head around it 
never paid much attention to the rev counter before! A High performance driving course is certainly something I'm keeping in mind once I'm happier with how I'm driving the car. When I said 'as late as possible' I did mean as close to the optimum time as my notice ears could assitain. Im pretty sure I can hear when I need to change up? To be clear in essence your saying, for example, when im second, I can drive it in that gear pretty much right accross the rev range (conditions and oil temperature allowing) before changing up, and the same applies to the following changes? Correct?
never paid much attention to the rev counter before! A High performance driving course is certainly something I'm keeping in mind once I'm happier with how I'm driving the car. When I said 'as late as possible' I did mean as close to the optimum time as my notice ears could assitain. Im pretty sure I can hear when I need to change up? To be clear in essence your saying, for example, when im second, I can drive it in that gear pretty much right accross the rev range (conditions and oil temperature allowing) before changing up, and the same applies to the following changes? Correct?On normal driving I would use 2nd gear on ramp acceleration opposed to 3rd to keep engine in good shape with more revs if you much slow city driving. Performance driving on the track is of course whole different chapter. You might also learn heal toe (rev match) down shifts if you have a manual for fun.
There are quite a few companies that offer advanced driving courses for all levels of ability on the road. These may be of more use than and track based event. A quick google found this one:
http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/performance-driving-men...
I have never used this one so have no idea if they are any good, but have used a company called Rapid Training for advanced Motorcycle road riding and learned a great deal about riding more quickly and safely. Others on here may be able to recommend specific companies that offer similar for car driving.
http://www.ridedrive.co.uk/performance-driving-men...
I have never used this one so have no idea if they are any good, but have used a company called Rapid Training for advanced Motorcycle road riding and learned a great deal about riding more quickly and safely. Others on here may be able to recommend specific companies that offer similar for car driving.
Any car can be driven across the whole rev range in any gear, in a manually operated gearbox.
It's been said a lot in this thread, but I'll say it again - only after the car is well and truly warm (20 minutes of good mixed driving - much longer in stop-start traffic). These cars are cooling critical, and the coolant gauge you have isn't that great in indicating what's really going on.
I don't believe any car engine likes being driven through only a small rev range, and being moved into the highest gear as fast as possible puts the highest strain on engine internals through lagging(in my opinion...).
Driving a car differently will probably also change how you view and use the road system, its more of a change in your driving philosophy; well, outside of stop-start traffic anyway!
If you are genuinely interested in your driving then I would also suggest visiting your local IAM/ROSPA club meeting - not to become an IAM/ROSPA Robot, but to see if there's anything you can take away from it that will help you to improve.
Welcome to the Porsche fold....pictures???!!
It's been said a lot in this thread, but I'll say it again - only after the car is well and truly warm (20 minutes of good mixed driving - much longer in stop-start traffic). These cars are cooling critical, and the coolant gauge you have isn't that great in indicating what's really going on.
I don't believe any car engine likes being driven through only a small rev range, and being moved into the highest gear as fast as possible puts the highest strain on engine internals through lagging(in my opinion...).
Driving a car differently will probably also change how you view and use the road system, its more of a change in your driving philosophy; well, outside of stop-start traffic anyway!
If you are genuinely interested in your driving then I would also suggest visiting your local IAM/ROSPA club meeting - not to become an IAM/ROSPA Robot, but to see if there's anything you can take away from it that will help you to improve.
Welcome to the Porsche fold....pictures???!!
Rugbyman said:
oh really .........
Where is that 'not sure if serious' picture.....you know the one with the joker on it ....?
Where is that 'not sure if serious' picture.....you know the one with the joker on it ....?
I know your all driving experts on Pistonheads which is why I asked.
As I said I've never driven a sports car before.
Thanks for he replies though, I'm trying to take it on board,
Raitzi said:
On normal driving I would use 2nd gear on ramp acceleration opposed to 3rd to keep engine in good shape with more revs if you much slow city driving. Performance driving on the track is of course whole different chapter. You might also learn heal toe (rev match) down shifts if you have a manual for fun.
This drives me up the wall. Rev matching IS NOT HEEL AND TOE. Rev matching is rev matching.Heel and toe is a technique that allows you to rev match whilst braking. Whilst related, they are not the same.
This is not only one of the saddest threads I have ever read, but is a sure indictment of modern Britain.
To learn (by asking a professional or track driver) how to get the full potential out of one’s self and vehicle is one thing; but having to come onto a forum asking the questions the OP has, well it’s just saddening.
What next? How do I put the nozzle of unleaded fuel into the filler cap? Because I've only ever owned a diesel before.
To learn (by asking a professional or track driver) how to get the full potential out of one’s self and vehicle is one thing; but having to come onto a forum asking the questions the OP has, well it’s just saddening.
What next? How do I put the nozzle of unleaded fuel into the filler cap? Because I've only ever owned a diesel before.
V8KSN said:
Agreed. In the meantime, don't take it above 4k revs until the oil temp is on or around 90.
90? The temp gauge on mine seems to stop at 80. A small point but if they wait till 90 it may never get there. The points a good one though.Mine is a 987 not a 986 so it could be different.
Wozy68 said:
This is not only one of the saddest threads I have ever read, but is a sure indictment of modern Britain.
To learn (by asking a professional or track driver) how to get the full potential out of one’s self and vehicle is one thing; but having to come onto a forum asking the questions the OP has, well it’s just saddening.
What next? How do I put the nozzle of unleaded fuel into the filler cap? Because I've only ever owned a diesel before.
So if you don't know something, you are not allowed to ask then?To learn (by asking a professional or track driver) how to get the full potential out of one’s self and vehicle is one thing; but having to come onto a forum asking the questions the OP has, well it’s just saddening.
What next? How do I put the nozzle of unleaded fuel into the filler cap? Because I've only ever owned a diesel before.
I think you comments are a little condescending!
Timbo_Mint said:
So if you don't know something, you are not allowed to ask then?
I think you comments are a little condescending!
lol, to wire an electrical socket yes, but the basics of driving, and it being a high performance motor vehicle? I think you comments are a little condescending!
Tell me did you need to ask, or did you just use common sense?
It's more a knock at modern Britain than a knock at the OP.
Wozy68 said:
Timbo_Mint said:
So if you don't know something, you are not allowed to ask then?
I think you comments are a little condescending!
lol, to wire an electrical socket yes, but the basics of driving, and it being a high performance motor vehicle? I think you comments are a little condescending!
Tell me did you need to ask, or did you just use common sense?
It's more a knock at modern Britain than a knock at the OP.
coanda said:
It's been said a lot in this thread, but I'll say it again - only after the car is well and truly warm (20 minutes of good mixed driving - much longer in stop-start traffic).
I'd say 20 mins is massively conservative. I don't go above 3000 rpm until the temp gauge gets up to the mark, but that's usually after about 5 mins. I realise that the oil temp will be lagging behind, but it's really not that critical. Only high revs on a truly cold engine are damaging.
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