Did you know that driving at low revs can harm the engine?

Driving at low revs can seriously harm the engine. The first thing to bear in mind is that every engine delivers its minimum and maximum power at a different number of revolutions. This is known as the power curve, and knowing it is essential so you neither overshoot nor fall short. Beyond the curve, you also need to consider temperature and the length of the journey, since every engine needs an optimal working temperature.

It is advisable not to put the engine under maximum load until it has warmed up and the oil has reached the entire circuit. If journeys are too short, we may be causing premature engine wear. Making a habit of driving constantly at low revs or with a light throttle, solely to save fuel, can result in a breakdown, not to mention the risks to road safety.

What happens if I drive at low revs?

If you drive at low revs and in high gears, the car will vibrate and this can affect:

• Ignition and ignition timing.
• Valves can be bent.
• Risk of engine seizure.
• Premature clutch wear.
• If the car has a carburettor, it will run out of tune.
• It will affect engine performance because it will take longer to reach its optimal temperature.
• Recovery time will also increase.
• It will take longer to accelerate.
• It may cause an accident.
• Fuel consumption will soar.
• Polluting emissions will increase.
• Filters, sensors, air flow meters, etc. may become clogged with carbon deposits.
• The engine can also be damaged when merging.
• Driving with air conditioning and noticing it has no power.

When should you push the gears?

Firstly, you should know the rev ranges in which the engine performs best. From that point on, you can accelerate without exceeding the revs specified by the manufacturer. Gears should be pushed:

• to overtake.
• when climbing gentle slopes.
• when climbing steep gradients.

Using a light throttle is recommended when pulling away with a cold engine, on flat ground or downhill. It is also advisable when the engine has not yet reached its correct operating temperature and when you are coasting and can take advantage of momentum. If it is very hot, driving at low revs can create a risk of overheating, and also on rainy, snowy or icy days because the road surface is slippery.