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Is it better on the engine of a high powered sports car for high rpms?

Heres the question, I own a 1987 Toyota Supra, the car has a 3.0 v-6 24 valve overhead cam engine, very quick car, the person who I bought the car from told me when i am driving the car in town (the car is manual) to keep the car in second gear. Second gear will do up to 30mp, at that point I am just about to 3,000 RPM's, I always thought that normal around town driving you put the car in 3rd gear on a stick shift. Also when I get up to 70mph in 5th gear(overdrive) the car is at 3,000 RPM's, is it better to run a high powered sports car at higher RPM's then a normal everyday car?

Public Comments

1. run it so you have enough power to stay at the current speed. Stay between 2-4k on your car is good for cruising. You don't want to go too low of an rpm otherwise you'll put stress on certain parts trying to accelerate( ie 5th gear at 5mph) If it is turbo i would stay off boost to conserve gas. You don't need high rpm's if you are not using them it just adds to added wear and gas, bottom line.
2. Sports cars are designed for high RPMs. For fuel economy though, keep it under 2500. But, superkarts go 19000 and f1 goes 21000+, just to put things in perspective. But yes, a sports car will cope better with high RPMs than say a Smart Car.
3. Better no? Bad? No it just puts more wear and tear on your engine! I wouldn't suggest it... id stay around 2500-3000 rpms for normal daily driving
4. in normal condition i guess u can shift ur gear to the upper one so u could make the rpm at around 2.5. because higher rmps put more pressure on the gear and engine in a long term + consumes more gas. the only times that i would keep the rmp high would be 1. when im driving up on a hill. 2. passing a car. 3. when im in rush/ street racing. other than that i dont think if it really helps to keep the rpm high in a clear flat highway.
5. I do not believe it is bad or very stressful to drive a car at 3000 RPM's steadily. I will usually keep it in the 2500-3000 range if I am driving at a steady pace on the freeway or in town. Depends on your vehicles gear ratios and whatnot. With my 6 speed Trans Am, if I am at 3000 rpms and shift to the next gear it only puts me at about 2000 RPM's. But my 5 speed Mustang, if I am at 3000 and shift it puts me closer to 1500 RPM's. And i would rather cruise steadily at 3000 RPM's than 1500.