How bad is it to drive like an old grandma?

[91344George]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Problem with driving the car hard is that few people know how to do it properly. People on this board do, so their point is well taken, but there are a lot of disclaimers to remember before you can safely say that driving hard should not cause extra wear.


Exactly. Some would certainly think that an "Italian tuneup" involves starting the car in -40 C and doing a run at red line immediately on the highway.


Exactly, you ALWAYS have to take into account the large numbers of dumb people out there that have NO COMMON SENSE WHATSOEVER!

 

[moto94536]

grandma drive pretty fast on highway... I guess I am a slow driver ( 60-65 mph)... I choose to drive slow because I want to get 30 and over .

 

[Whimsey]

While the engines of my 1996 Contour Zetec & 2002 F-150 4.6 are warming up I make sure I drive conservatively, both are 5 speed manuals. Overall I drive average. I always keep up to the speed limits and don't race from stops. However there are times when I will run the engines out rpm wise, especially the Contour on a fun road. And I will rev the truck to get up hills, it's great to feel the power once in a while. Neither vehicle uses any oil between changes, 5,000 to 8,500 miles, and both drain dark golden. Had both of these vehicles since new.

Whimsey

 

[rslifkin]

I'm always one for letting an engine work, but not necessarily beating on it. I'm certainly not afraid of winding out the Jeep at WOT up to 5500 or so (factory redline was 5250, new redline is 6000) when it's good and warmed up, although I don't do it on a daily basis.

The oil has always been pretty dark at the end of an OCI, but the last UOA I did looked fine. I'm thinking it's just a bit of soot, much like what shows up on the exhaust tip after a hard run.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: garlicbreadman
dont see too many cars that are abused last 100's of thousands of miles but i do see grandma driven cars with 100's of thousands of miles...



Mustangs. The engine from my old one is STILL going, LOL! In car #2, soon to be #3.

 

[jimvegas]

My first job as a mechanic I ran into this. Little old lady drops off her Toyota Starlet for a tune up. After she leaves, he tossed me the keys and gave me instructions as follows.

See that car over there? Take it over to the interstate. When you hit the on-ramp, put your foot to the floor and do not let off until you hit 90 mph, then slow back down. Get off at the next exit and do the same thing coming back. When you get back, change the oil and charge her $29.95. Have to do it every year or so.

Alright, take off toward the interstate. Car hesitates, running a little rough. Hit the on ramp and mat it. Running badly, big cloud of black smoke out the exhaust too. On the return ramp, no smoke, much better power, quieter and smoother. Took it back to the shop and changed the oil.

Told the boss what I'd experienced, he just nodded and said to watch when she drove away.

She left with the car, driving like she had an egg between her foot and the gas pedal. Later she called to thank us as the car was running much better.

 

[grampi]

My '99 Corolla lives at 3K RPM, and it just turned 270K....will probably go another 100K....

 

[SS1970chrysler]

My Grandfather bought a 62 Buick new in late 61. At least once a month he'd get it out on the highway and "blow out the carbon". This almost always seemed to happen when Grandma least expected it. Looking back, I'd say it was almost as much for his benefit as the car's.
Incidentally, I still have the car today and it runs just as good now.

 

[JHZR2]

Its OK to blow out carbon, be harder on it, etc., in controlled conditions, when the oil is HOT.

That's different from racing from stoplights, slamming on the gas all the time, etc.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I had a 64 Triumph TR4 that required a once per week blast in 3rd or 4th to clear it's throat after a week of city driving.

It became routine. It was not uncommon in the days of carbs and weak ignitions.

Some cars still need it, but not many.