Relative newbie question
 

SmileWavy Hello Everyone,
I have been a little hesitant to ask about this, but curiosity has finally gotten the best of me. My question is about shifting my 2000 2.7, 5 spd. With 82k on the clock. The car has been meticulously cared for over it's life, and I plan to do the same with it.
I always make sure the engine is up to operating temp, shifting at 4-4500 until it has reached op. temp. From there on I generally shift around 5-5500, but I do take it up to 6500-7000 on occasion just to have a little fun.
Would like to know how some of you other folks run yours, and if I’m being too careful or maybe a little hard on the old girl?
Thanks in advance!
Garryw

I'd say you're OK - I tend not to run up to near redline until the engine is warmed up, but after that, you should be fine.

Also, I've run into a lot of owners who just love to run theirs up to the rev limiter. While there is probably no harm in this, you lose power about 500 rpm shy of redline, so there is really no reason to do it.

G, I agree with Steve...ours is a 98 986 with 95k on the clock and I tell my wife to think of it this way...when the RPM needle shows in your peripheral vision at the 12:00 and then 1:00 position...start using your ears....listen and SHIFT...it has worked for us as 2 very different drivers both drive and AX the car and we still are running the original clutch..

:)

As long as you let it warm up, you can take it up there or to redline no problem. In my boxster race car, almost every shift for the past 2500 miles has been to redline, downshifts as well. It has 135k miles on it now, stock 2.5L.

And I don't
 

go to 4000 until the temp shows 160. I even try to keep it under 3k till then. At the 180 indicated for 5 minutes, sure you can let it out. But I've always babied it up till then.

I try to avoid the rev limiter, as it's really not good driving technique. As long as the engine is warm, it should be able to run fine at the upper rpms. Most cars suffer when people shift them at 2500! :)

-Wayne

With the engine cold, I stay below 3000 rpms. Once its warmed up (180), then I have no problem going close to the redline but I never bang it off of the rev limiter in worry of over-revving it. I have a '99 stock 2.5L with 90K miles.

Thanks guys!
I appreciate your comments on this subject. I am very grateful to have found this forum and the help that all you people give so freely.
And Wayne for the parts store, the fantastic book! Oh, yeah this forum too...almost forgot that.

A follow-up newbie question on the original, hope no one minds. With the replies above, are you driving the car as a daily driver shifting at these higher rpms or are you referring to times when you are on a track? If I shift at these higher rpms during my normal commute, then I would never shift higher than 3rd gear without getting a fast driving award (and would definitely get one at 5000 rpm in 3rd gear!). I just don't get it why shifting at these higher rpms is "good" for the engine - seems like an awful lot of potential friction. If it's better for the engine and the IMS bearing to be driving the car hard, could someone clarify what they actually mean by this for the person who drives their boxster as a daily driver. I've currently have ~61000 on my 2003 S and would love some advice to help me keep her running as long as she can.

This very question was answered on another forum today, I don't know how accurate it is but it seems reasonable. The response said basically that you need to use enough RPMs to provide cooling/lubrication through oil transfer, in other words the oil bump needs to be pushing enough oil to protect critical parts. From what I could deduce from the thread you should be able to accomplish this on the low rev end with shifting in the 2.5 to 4k range is my guess. Yes if you shift as high as every one says you won't get out of 3rd gear (in a Box 'S') without getting a ticket on most roads. I drive my car two ways...I like to rev it over 5 to 6k because it is fun (which of course is why I bought Hankook tires for $450 because the rears will wear fast) on the other hand for more rational driving I'll shift between 2.5 and 3.5 making sure not to lug the car, easily done if you understand when to/not to press on the gas i.e. hills and such.

One of the worst things that you can do to a car is just start it and let it idle. A few things may happen in this condition. First of all, it will take a long time to heat up - the engine's friction is maximized when the engine is cold and the tolerances are tight. Next, the oil pressure is low at idle - driving at higher rpms means that you increase the oil pressure and increase circulation. Finally, I believe that higher temps on the engine are good, as long as they are within operating spec. Excess gas and water are burned out of the oil when the engine runs at it's normal temperature.

In general, the cars were designed to be driven from 1000-6000 rpm. If you limit your driving to one range or the other, then you will get wear patterns from that behavior. It's like working out - if you only work out in a limited range of motion, you will restrict your overall flexibility. Likewise, running every day and getting exercise is good for you - you won't wear out faster. The engine is the same, in many ways...

-Wayne