What's your RPM at 70mph?

I'm not actually sure how much this varies from car to car really, but I was driving on a dual carriageway yesterday, noticed my car does 3000rpm at 70mph. I've got a small car though, with a small engine, is 3000 high? Is it okay to drive at 3000rpm for long distances??

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Reply 1

Maccees

Sounds about right, unless you are bouncing off your limiter and your engine is screaming all the time you'll be fine.

Reply 2

Ghost

Depends entirely on gear ratios. I think mine sits around 3k rpm too.

Reply 3

jamie3009

2.1k for me (Diesel engine though). To be honest, as long as the engine is warm and you have a good amount of oil in the engine then it will not do any damage whatsoever. Most engine wear occurs within the first 5-10 mins of startup when the engine is still heating up and parts are expanding etc. On most petrol engines the red line doesnt appear until about 6 - 6.5k rpm anyway so driving at 3k rpm is still only half way through the rev range of the engine. :smile:

Reply 4

David`

I think mine sits at about 3.5k at 70. TBH that's nothing, I sometimes go from 30 - 70 in forth gear if I'm pulling onto a fast bit of motorway from a slip road and that'll be on about 4.5/5k rpm.

Reply 5

InconspicuousGuy

Mine sits about 3k in 6th gear at 70mph on the motorway :smile:

This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Reply 6

Camoxide

I think it's probably around 4000 in mine.

I don't have a rev counter though ;(

Reply 7

wavecat

On a bicycle going downhill (srsly i highly doubt I've ever gone over 50 downhill though)

Reply 8

Elwyn

Will vary a lot between cars. My Twingo RS pushed 4000 RPM at 70mph but my current Clio diesel quietly cruises at just under 2000.

Reply 9

Noble.

About 3,000 in 5th gear, it's an annoying speed because the turbo doesn't do much until about 3,500 RPM so you either speed or drive around in 4th :lol:

Reply 10

lyle17120

I'd have a broken engine, my Cb125 only does 65 mph!!

Reply 11

SillyEddy

3k sounds about right. Given how many cars will rev to over twice that, it is unlikely that sticking at that RPM will cause extra wear to the engine.

Keep an eye on the temperature gauge if you're worried, but it sounds quite normal.

Reply 12

1992LP

Mine sits at about 2750, and my other cars have sat just under 3k.

Reply 13

JC.

70mph = 2413rpm.
Or, 29mph per 1000rpm in O/D 4th.

Reply 14

CAElite

You guys have rev counters in your cars? What sort of western decadance is this!?!?!?

Anywho i estimate around 3000-4000 RPM in my micra (no tachometer to confirm but i think its around there due to engine noise)

Reply 15

Nice.Guy

Original post by JC.

70mph = 2413rpm.

I'm sure you're waiting for someone to ask this :tongue:

how do you know your exact rpm? I would have said it was some sort of digital one, but you only drive classic cars!!

Reply 16

Nice.Guy

Oh and thanks for the replies so far everyone :biggrin:

Reply 17

JC.

Original post by Nice.Guy

I'm sure you're waiting for someone to ask this :tongue:

how do you know your exact rpm? I would have said it was some sort of digital one, but you only drive classic cars!!

Just basic maths mate. Anyone can work it out using the rolling radius of the tyre, diff ratio and gearbox top gear ratio.

Although, if you want to talk about *my* car specifically... @ 70mph the guage would probably waggle between 2300rpm and 2500rpm. Good old smiths guages, eh? :wink: