What constitutes a WOT?

[LouDawg]

Okay, this is probably another dumb question, but how does one define WOT? I know we hear the term thrown around a lot, but it'd help me to clarify what it really is. I ask because I'm wondering if/when to ever use WOT (besides in an emergency) or if there are ever any benefits.

Is it:

• Anything above an absolute RPM level? (e.g. anything above 5K rpm)
• Anything above a percentage of the total RPM range? (e.g. 75% of the rpm range)
• Anything redline or above?
• Gas pedal absolutely all the way to the floor?
• Something else?

• I also assume if and how long one should use WOT depends greatly on the car.

 

[Virtuoso]

Quote:

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• Gas pedal absolutely all the way to the floor?

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  Best way to describe it right there. You can go WOT at any RPM, although it's not neccesarily good to do so at lower RPMs in some engine/transmission combo's.
  

 

[JTK]

Wide open throttle is just as it reads. Running the throttle plate as far open as it will go.

 

[Colt45ws]

I consider it anything above 70% throttle.

 

[Matt_S]

Quote:

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Wide open throttle is just as it reads. Running the throttle plate as far open as it will go.

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Agreed. Gas pedal to the floor, IMO, used to be the same thing, but with computer-controlled throttle plates becoming commonplace these days, you have to get more specific. WOT = 100% open throttle plate. AFAIC, wide open can only mean 100% open, nothing less.

 

[LouDawg]

The reason I ask is because some say it's good to run your car WOT at times to help clean it out, burn out the carbon, etc. Now, you can jam your foot through the floorboard, or you can gradually increase speed until you're near, at, or over redline. Or you could, perhaps, just run it at high rpm's but avoid redline and the floorboard altogether. Wonder if that would do just as much "good", or conversely, just as much "harm"?

 

[moribundman]

Quote:

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Wide open throttle is just as it reads. Running the throttle plate as far open as it will go.

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That's full throttle.

 

[mstrjon32]

Well, my old car was underpowered, IMO, so I frequently opened it all the way up -- often 3 or 4 times a day, just passing and merging in my daily commute. When I took the engine apart at 190K miles to replace faulty intake gaskets, the valves and other visible internals were as clean as the day they'd come from the factory; and the engine still revved and ran smooth. It only burned a negligible amount of oil, to boot.

It is my opinion that some spirited driving is good for your car, keeps it in good running shape. My new vehicle is much more powerful than my old one, so it's much less often that I find my foot on the floor, but if I've got some open road ahead of me, I don't hesitate to open her all the way up every now and then. Not to mention it can put a bit of a childish grin on your face.

 

[Junior]

I prefer the acronym WFO

Wide F*%#N Open

 

[JTK]

LouDawg, IMO, as long as you are not shocking the drivetrain with slamming down-shifts, etc, going WOT is fine once everything is warmed up. You wouldn't want to overrev it constantly.

Joel

 

[Titan]

WOT is best done at higher rpms...less of a pounding on the engine parts.

 

[JackFish]

With non-performance engines, or badly tuned engines I would be concerned about valve float at sustained high rpms, especially in first gear.

I regularly WOT my '78 straight six engine. It winds up great. If it was 427, that might not be so easy, not to mention dangerous!

 

[Titan]

Yep, I see what you mean. I guess I should have said something like: WOT is easier on a standard Passenger car engine if you wait until you are in the upper 1/3 of your rpm range.