Rpm
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New User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: West Bend, WI
Rpm
I've read on here that some guys drive their trucks never exceeding 3000 rpm's.
What's the therory behind that? What happens when you want to pass a vehicle? Might as well start 2 miles back to get a running start. Put it to the floor and get around the Chevy as fast as you can. I tried not exceeding 3000, and felt I could get out and walk faster.
What's the therory behind that? What happens when you want to pass a vehicle? Might as well start 2 miles back to get a running start. Put it to the floor and get around the Chevy as fast as you can. I tried not exceeding 3000, and felt I could get out and walk faster.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Hudson Florida.
I'm not too worried about speed, I want the economy instead. under 3000 rpms, you get better economy than at say 4600. I mean, if you think about it, you get better economy with low revs than driving at 90mph and 4000+ revs.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,978
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From: Alvin, Texas.
If you always stay under 3000revs, that's a recipe for disaster. Lugging the engine is never good.
When starting from a stop, 4000+ revs is okay. All the oomph you can get to get rolling is needed.
Basically, for best performance, stay in the engine powerband, between the revs for peak tq and hp.
I flip into OD at about 55mph doing 1900rpms. At that point, I have long since gotten rolling and it's just a cruise from there.
I will admit that when I was running on fumes trying to get away from Houston last week, I did shift quite lightly when the gauge got to reading low. As did I do the same the other night coming from work with the fuel gauge on E. I was a LONG way from gas either way, so if I was going to get way over 30mpg either time, that would be the time to do so.
When I feel like passing, I do drop into 3rd or 4th and let a 3500rpm shift rip.
When starting from a stop, 4000+ revs is okay. All the oomph you can get to get rolling is needed.
Basically, for best performance, stay in the engine powerband, between the revs for peak tq and hp.
I flip into OD at about 55mph doing 1900rpms. At that point, I have long since gotten rolling and it's just a cruise from there.
I will admit that when I was running on fumes trying to get away from Houston last week, I did shift quite lightly when the gauge got to reading low. As did I do the same the other night coming from work with the fuel gauge on E. I was a LONG way from gas either way, so if I was going to get way over 30mpg either time, that would be the time to do so.
When I feel like passing, I do drop into 3rd or 4th and let a 3500rpm shift rip.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
Some people think that by keeping the rpm's down they not only save gas but also promote engine life. So unless one's driving habits somehow require that they keep their foot into it constantly and not upshift at the proper time, there is no real reason to drive around in too low of a gear. Unnecessessary reving does in fact use gas needlessly. On engine life, I've noted that my former Ranger (bought new in 94) used not one single drop between changes when sold with 182K on the clock. Ditto on a T/A I had with 245K on the clock. Both were run at well over 3K when needed or for fun. I also made it a point to never get on it hard until they were fully warmed up. I'm also a fan of regular oil/filter changes. And yes, I use Pennzoil and Fram filters 
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Last edited by CowboyBilly9Mile; Oct 2, 2005 at 04:27 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
On the Automatic transmission ranger with a 3.0, you can rev lower then 3000 rpm when excellerating, which is what my freinds truck is. But in my truck, 3.0 with a stick, i shift between 2000-2500 around town and it never lugs. If i get on the freeway or i'm passing, i stomp is and rev to 3500-4000 to get my speed up, but thats just a necessity when getting on a So Cal freeway.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
i was one that has talked a bit about revs. i have the 3.0
with 33" tires and i do alot of high-way driving. i keep it out of o.d. unless i know i've got room to go with nothing stopping me because it doesn't take much for it to come out of o.d. so i mainly do it to keep the shifts down! i also use penzoil and fram filters but i may be switching filters because of some info. i got in another forum. i am in the 3000-3400 rpm range then i either get out of the throttle or get it in o.d. 82000mi. 
with 33" tires and i do alot of high-way driving. i keep it out of o.d. unless i know i've got room to go with nothing stopping me because it doesn't take much for it to come out of o.d. so i mainly do it to keep the shifts down! i also use penzoil and fram filters but i may be switching filters because of some info. i got in another forum. i am in the 3000-3400 rpm range then i either get out of the throttle or get it in o.d. 82000mi.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Ya, I heard about that but im not sure if its true, on my truck I dont have the rpm scale so I cant really see if its possible
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: West Bend, WI
I have the 3.0 with an auto, and I notice it coming out of OD climbing hills, and it's to hard to keep under 3000rpm. If I would keep it under 3 climbing hills, I wouldn't be going that fast. And when I pass somebody, to the floor it goes! Gotta get that slug moving. 2000 Xtended cab, off road pkg. But love my truck! I average about 16-19mpg depending on the climate.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
I will usually come out of an interesction and follow the reccommended shifts in my 94 XLT manual (15, 25, 37, 45) unless other conditions require more power. I usually don't hit O.D. until 50 or so. I find myself revving around 2500 most of the time, especially before hitting second. And at least twice a day I give it a good go at 3500 to redline to burn off all that stuff in the engine.
Last edited by Ken00; Oct 3, 2005 at 08:03 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: crete, illinois
i feel the same way about mine. i'm not to worried about it and i just deal with it. if it were a f250 power-stroke and i was having the same thing happen then we'd have a problem. it's a little motor and too much truck but as long as you treat it right and it don't blow up then thats all i can ask out of it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Yep, agreed 100%. You treat this little truck and it's engine and tranny right, it'll run great for hundreds of thousands of miles. You can't lug it around and you can't burn it everywhere you go, but it's pretty durable for something that encounters as much day to day stress as a transmission.
I love driving a manual and getting to decide on my own what gear I want to be in. I've been stuck with my dad's auto '92 GMC for today through Thursday while my truck is in the paint shop and it's killing me. I love that truck but it's just boring to not shift lol.
Take care of it and it'll take care of you.
I love driving a manual and getting to decide on my own what gear I want to be in. I've been stuck with my dad's auto '92 GMC for today through Thursday while my truck is in the paint shop and it's killing me. I love that truck but it's just boring to not shift lol.
Take care of it and it'll take care of you.
