Change-up RPM - make some noise
Discussion
Here's one that is (hopefully) preaching to the choir on this forum, but has frustrated me on observed runs with several different people recently - I'd be interested in other Observers' views....
Several recent associates (in petrol engined cars) have changed up at 1800-2200 rpm. Hence, the car never gets into the (3000-4500-ish RPM) power band and spends most of its time sluggishly bogged down. When questioned, the reason is usually "the engine was starting to get noisy!". Their cars (a variety from BMW 3srs to 406 to Daiwoo somethings) get a new lease of life as "quite nippy" when they are encouraged to make a bit more noise and change up circa 3000 rpm or even (shock horror) hang on to 4000.
Anyone else seeing this? Interested whether it's a Nottingham thing or more widespread.
Several recent associates (in petrol engined cars) have changed up at 1800-2200 rpm. Hence, the car never gets into the (3000-4500-ish RPM) power band and spends most of its time sluggishly bogged down. When questioned, the reason is usually "the engine was starting to get noisy!". Their cars (a variety from BMW 3srs to 406 to Daiwoo somethings) get a new lease of life as "quite nippy" when they are encouraged to make a bit more noise and change up circa 3000 rpm or even (shock horror) hang on to 4000.
Anyone else seeing this? Interested whether it's a Nottingham thing or more widespread.
I think there's a common misconception that "advanced" driving means "slow" - and it ain't necessarily so.
I remember one of my associates years ago, with a Mk1 golf GTI, following a moped for bleeding miles in the NSL because there wasn't a long enough straight to pass on - I persuaded her to insure it for me for an evening... and then proceeded to blatter about with full commentary, passing everything in sight - she had no idea her car could do that...
I remember one of my associates years ago, with a Mk1 golf GTI, following a moped for bleeding miles in the NSL because there wasn't a long enough straight to pass on - I persuaded her to insure it for me for an evening... and then proceeded to blatter about with full commentary, passing everything in sight - she had no idea her car could do that...
StressedDave said:
I've had clients do it in Caterham 7s. I'm sure part of it comes from when they learn to drive and the top two-thirds of the rev range is a strictly no-go area...
Noone I know, I hope.
Had someone driving my car the other weekend (as you know) -- seemed reluctant to get past 3.5k. Which is a shame as that's where it gets fun. In the wet.
GreenV8S said:
Laboring the engine like that is actually very bad for it, the engine will last longer if you use more revs and less torque. It's also safer as you have more throttle authority.
I entirely agree that labouring the engine, i.e. using too much throttle opening at low engine speeds, is bad for the machinery. My gear change points vary a good deal, according to the circumstances. Driving about in a leisurely fashion in built up areas will probably see me changing up early and using quite small throttle openings generally. Our Peugeot 406 HDi seems quite happy with this and it yields adequate progress and it is quiet.
On the open road and in a bit more of a press on mode, I'll of course change up at higher engine speeds and apply a good deal more throttle opening. Even then, I don't normally exceed about 3000 rpm in the intermediate gears, and this still enables me to get reasonable performance (in relation to what the car can do) without overstraining anything. The car has now done just over 73,000 miles and it seems to be happy with the treatment it receives.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
StressedDave said:
But isn't your car a modern diesel where most of the joy has evaporated by the time it reaches 3000 rpm?
With only 90 bhp available - assuming they all report for duty - what joy?
I have to resort to low cunning and do the best I can with what there is.
Best wishes all,
Dave - a poor deprived OAP.
my point entirely Peter.At higher revs, the pistons travel a tiny bit further than at low revs. If never reved, and then one dy it is, you might break the piston rings.
To drive properly, in an Advanced Manner, the whole revs range should be used. My car pull to the red line, so I use it (not always at the red line, but it only pulls above 3800rpm, so it lives mainly between 4000 - 6000 on "average".
Anyone not using the engine properly, because it's noisey, does not in my opinion deserve to pass.
Martin
To drive properly, in an Advanced Manner, the whole revs range should be used. My car pull to the red line, so I use it (not always at the red line, but it only pulls above 3800rpm, so it lives mainly between 4000 - 6000 on "average".
Anyone not using the engine properly, because it's noisey, does not in my opinion deserve to pass.
Martin
Nick_Chim said:
Anyone else seeing this? Interested whether it's a Nottingham thing or more widespread.
I love revs, especially those over 4,000. Ooh lovely!
Edited to add that I am in Nottingham.
I seem to recall that you didn't suffer from this problem Emma!
I thought we weren't ever going to mention that on here
AquilaEagle said:
This is something I worry about in my car, It's a Honda S2000 which revs to 9000, and it performs best above 6000, but it is noisy
I'm interested in when you will be using 6k-9k rpm in your S2000 on your test (I assume you are doing an advanced driving test)?
In my last observed drive, my observer said I was making too much pace on the verge of aggressive! Now I was actually doing my best "granny-driving". I could have blown on the throttle and gone faster!
I had a trainee observer in the back and he disagreed with the observer and after a debate the observer agreed that maybe it was ok!
I'm left a little confused as to how/where one could use 6k-9k rpm in a s2000 when 2.5k-3.5k in a clio 182 with very light throttle use seemed to be verging on too quick.
Maybe it was something else I did!!
Graham
mph999 said:
Anyone not using the engine properly, because it's noisey, does not in my opinion deserve to pass
I agree. But anyone selectively choosing not to make it noisy in a village at 8am, but letting rip in the countryside in the afternoon deserves a gold star.
We took 6 Caterhams for a hoon round the Cotswolds one sunny afternoon. Another owner was in his garden and heard our approach from miles away.
7db said:
We took 6 Caterhams for a hoon round the Cotswolds one sunny afternoon. Another owner was in his garden and heard our approach from miles away.
I fitted the blower last christmas, and after getting it up and running I took it for a twenty mile shakedown run. It was a still day in the middle of winter and apparently the guys at the workshop could hear me clearly the whole way.
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