Red-lining the engine. How much damage (if any) it does?
03-09-2007, 12:24 PM
#31
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My Ride: E61 530d Touring, May 2004
I am not an engineer, but experience with previous cars has suggested that redlining when fully heated up does not do any damage.
Indeed, cars run by little old ladies and never reved over 3k often use more fuel and (in northern climates) the catalyst fails to heat up and therefore clogs up. Best practice before an emmission test in a lightly used car is to drive hard in 2nd or 3rd gear to really heat the cat.
Indeed, cars run by little old ladies and never reved over 3k often use more fuel and (in northern climates) the catalyst fails to heat up and therefore clogs up. Best practice before an emmission test in a lightly used car is to drive hard in 2nd or 3rd gear to really heat the cat.
03-09-2007, 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by new-kid' post='400873' date='Mar 9 2007, 01:24 PM
I am not an engineer, but experience with previous cars has suggested that redlining when fully heated up does not do any damage.
Indeed, cars run by little old ladies and never reved over 3k often use more fuel and (in northern climates) the catalyst fails to heat up and therefore clogs up. Best practice before an emmission test in a lightly used car is to drive hard in 2nd or 3rd gear to really heat the cat.
Indeed, cars run by little old ladies and never reved over 3k often use more fuel and (in northern climates) the catalyst fails to heat up and therefore clogs up. Best practice before an emmission test in a lightly used car is to drive hard in 2nd or 3rd gear to really heat the cat.
Indeed, cars run by little old ladies and never reved over 3k often use more fuel
Really? Can you provide a link to statistical data? Why auto box then does not rev up to 5000rpm if that's more economical?
03-09-2007, 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by uglybear' post='400890' date='Mar 9 2007, 02:18 PM
Really? Can you provide a link to statistical data? Why auto box then does not rev up to 5000rpm if that's more economical?
No statistical data, but here are a few links on the subject.
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=20943&hl=
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?se...article_id=2813
03-09-2007, 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by lawguy' post='400877' date='Mar 9 2007, 01:37 PM
Does anyone have a chart showing the power band for each gear?
Also, I've found that 4th gear begins to die and struggle at around 5000-5500 rpm. Shifting to 5th gear at this time yields much better acceleration.
03-11-2007, 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by SergeyM' post='399793' date='Mar 7 2007, 03:50 PM
I?d like to think of myself as someone who takes good care of his cars. I always follow break-in instructions and doing in-between oil changes. On the other hand I never hesitate before red-lining the car after it has 5-6K miles on the odometer. It do not do it every time I accelerate from the stop light but once or twice a month I get into a race like situation and naturally would keep the pedal to the metal until that punk in his G35 or S550 is left behind or my speed reaches dangerous levels (140+ mph). I always feel somewhat guilty afterwards for doing this to my car but I just cannot resist the temptation. I do believe that my car was build for higher speeds and exceeding 120 or even 140 mph should not do any damage to the engine, but what about red-lining it? The other day I?ve got into a mid-high speed (60-110mph) race with a Vette and for about 5 miles we were going all out (full speed ahead followed by maximum braking). There was a very strong burning smell coming from the car afterwards but I blamed it on brakes. So my question is ? does an occasional (once/twice a month) engine redlining damage these cars or they are build to take such abuse. A friend of mine owns 2005 530 and according to her she never revved her engine past 4,000 RPM. Her car is still in great shape whereas my 2005 545 died at a young age of 14 month and 15,500 miles.
Relax, your engine was designed with a certain lifecycle and I'm sure they contemplated a certain percentage of full rpm operation. I would think the larger the motor, the more stress on the components at full rev, but think of this: Dinan software raises the maximum revs by as much as 300 rpm, so clearly the OEM maximum is not the true maximum. Let your marvel of engineering rev freely. Life's too short.
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