Is there a mechanic in the house?

[Lestat]

I'm having a weird problem with my car. The weirdest part is, I'm not even sure any more if I have a problem.

When cruising at 65 mph, my tach is showings 3000 rpm. Isn't that kinda high? At 70, the tach shows 3300 rpm. At 80, the tach nears 4000 rpm. I can hear the tranny whining after 60.

I was sure there was something wrong, so I took it to a guy highly reccomended who specializes in transmissions. He actually builds and re-builds tranny's for race cars. So I assume this guy knows what he's doing. I dropped my car off for the day. I was amazed when he called and said he didn't see anything wrong with it! I asked him if he was sure and explained exactly what was happening again. He said he'd take it out again and call me back. He called back and said he had it going over 80 and didn't find anything wrong.

Well, I felt like an idiot. However, I STILL think there's something wrong. Does anyone know if it's normal for the tach to read 3000 rpms doing 65 mph? Also, if this was wrong, can I blow out my transmission by driving it? Or should I take it to someone else for a second opinion. I'd appreciate any advice.

[Dead]

3 grand makes for efficient running, not to worry.

[slickpoppa]

3K does not sound that high for 65mph

[nothumb]

My V6 pickup runs at around 3k at 65, 3.2K at 70 and 3.7 at 80. This is why gas mileage goes down when you are going over 70.

NT

[fluxrad]

It's impossible to tell whether 3000RPM is bad since we do not know what kind of car you drive. That being said, it's almost certain that 3500RPM is fine unless you're driving some hard-core muscle car that red-lines at like 5,000.

(FYI - I drive a WRX and cruise at ~3000-3500RPM).

[Dead]

Yep, redlining guarantees that you will eat gas like Tbach eats burgers.

[on_thg]

[ QUOTE ]
It's impossible to tell whether 3000RPM is bad since we do not know what kind of car you drive.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you drive a 1992 Ford Tempo with a 3 speed automatic, you're good. If you're driving something with a 6-speed manual, your car = suck. Do you have an overdrive switch that's not on or something?

[dabluebery]

Yeah. You didn't mention if that was unusual.... like, "I've been driving this car for years and it usually cruises at 2500, but all of a sudden...." That would be the biggest indicator, if something changed.

If you're really crazy about it, and want some more info, you could bust out your tire size, the gear ratio in your differential, the sizes of the gears in your transmission, the engine in your car, etc. Then we MIGHT be able to figure out the theoretical RPM of your car at a certain speed, in a certain gear.

Trust your buddy.

Rob

[nothumb]

[ QUOTE ]
Yep, redlining guarantees that you will eat gas like Tbach eats burgers.

[/ QUOTE ]

Even at 4k I'm pretty well clear of redlining in that truck. Not that I want to run at 4k regularly.

The reason you get worse mileage is because you are running at such a high RPM and there is no way to shift up and lower it.

NT

[Dead]

BINGO.

In a 5-speed once you hit overdrive at 55 mph then crank it to 70 there is no way to bring the revs down. That's life. You can take it 72@4200.

[Ray Zee]

take it out of second gear.

[goofball]

[ QUOTE ]
take it out of second gear.

[/ QUOTE ]


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