torr7070

Hey to all.
I am totally new to Porsche and hope you do not mind this stupid question.
I drive for 4 months my 997.1 targa now and am so happy with it.
Now I wonder, at what engine speed i 'MUST' shift up to make sure not to hurt the engine.
AFTER the engine is warm up well !!!
I maybe think this is a strange question but as i am used to drive automatic for a long time, and i had never a car with that power i wonder how i best tread this beauty well.
But at the same time enjoy the power and skill of the 997
Normally i drive very careful but i think these cars are made for more then office drive mood.
if i bull it up from 3 to 4 geare and up how far can i go before it will hurt my car.

Thanks in advance.
Safe driving to all.
ps : I am totally blown away by the porsche feeling while driving my 997.1.

Graufuchs

While the engine is cold, keep RPMs under 3k.

Once the engine is warm....if I am cruising I keep rpms sub 4K.

If conditions are appropriate, they get wound out at every opportunity.

Patrick E

One oil is properly warmed up, feel free to rev to redline before a shift. That’s where the great noises are.

torr7070

thanks a lot for your reply.
Greetings from Belgium.

Sporty

Look in the 991 forum - there is a recent similar question with rationale responses. Otherwise, 7000 rpm once warmed up

Belgium? - I used to work for Agfa Gevaert (now Agfa) in the US

Patrick E

Really? Shifting at redline isn’t a “rationale” response but 7,000 is? Didn’t realize those 200 RPMs made such a difference.

Steven C.

I chose around 2k RPM until 150 degree oil temp. I drove an 02 996 to 144K miles like this with no issues.

4Driver4

If Jake Raby was still around, he would say no more than 3k RPM until warm, no less than 3k once warm.
If you are afraid of seeing more than 4k on the tach, a sporty car might not be your bag. Live a little - lol ;-)

Sporty

it was in ironic jest.... I left off the 200 rpms as a margin of safety/error

Petza914

You never really want the RPMs to fall below 2,000 after a shift so you need to shift at an rpm that prevents that, which is around 3,000. Anywhere above 3,000 once warmed up is fine. When doing just normal driving I probably shift around 4,000-4,500 but will wind it up when I feel like it. With the supercharger, I don't really need a lot of revs to have a lot of acceleration.

Graufuchs

It gets wound out.....trust me. I have mechanical sympathy for my cars but drive them like they are meant to be driven. That iconic flat 6 howl is intoxicating.

Don't lug the engine around either. That's a big NO,NO also.

anthonyk

I’ve always wondered… is the 3k limit while cold just an arbitrary number, or is there some science behind it? I understand the reasoning behind keeping the rpm low until everything is warmed up, but what’s special about 3000 rpm?

BHMav8r

< 3000 rpm until the oil warms up - then anything goes. Not below 2000 rpm.

Ride her hard.

She likes it !

HartyWags

What I have read is when stating cold keep the revs under 3K till oil temp gets above 180F. Once oil gets above 180F and is around 200F steady you can push the car to the limit. One other important thing to check is oil level and keep it full.

As for driving style, drive how you want to. I personaly love to hold the revs high before shifting and pushing the car all the time. The down side to this style is I burn gas like crazy. The 997.2 has a rev limiter to protect the engine over revs from holding the gear too long. it will cut gas to the engine. But that is only during acceleration, you can still money shift the engine during down shifting.

HartyWags

my understanding is that because it is a flat 6 when then car is at rest the pistons sit on the cylinder head ( at least more than upright engines). When cold the oil is less effective at lubricating the engine so the more the piston moves the more times it "rubs" the cylinder wall. I think people say 3K as it is a low rev but you can still drive around. You have to balance wear and getting the engine/oil up to temp as soon as possible.

I would guess that 3K is just best guess that seems right.