For normal in town driving speeds, how low is too low as far as revs. Is 2500rpm the general consensus. At which point in the low end is it really bad for the engine?

 

As long as you don't stall the engine, there is no "too low". BUT driveability and fun vary greatly with revs. It's no problem to drive with 1000rpm in stop-and-go traffic.

Kai

 

it all depends on the gear......2000 might be too low in 6th up an incline. Basically if your car is losing speed while you are on the gas, you are in too low an RPM for the gear you are in. Thuis is "lugging the engine and it is very bad for it....

 

2500 rpm is still pretty safe. Try driving in any automatic transmission car, the car shifts and most of the time is in the 2000 to 3000 rpm range when cruising. That's because that is the range of good fuel efficiency. 2500 rpm is not hard on the engine as long as you don't keep falling on rpm and try to accelerate brisky while still in that gear- lugging the gear. If you need to accelerate then downshift to get back up on rpms. If you are in a stable speed and are smooth on the acceleration then 2500 is OK. No big strain on the engine as long as you are smooth and the engine doesn't sound like it is straining.

The MINI is different in that it gets most of it's power up in the 4000 to 6000 rpm range so if you want power and responsiveness you need to get into some higher rpms than 3500 which is where more power starts and is felt.

You can still drive your MINI in the 2000-3000 range and it is quiet but the engine is not in it's best range for power so accelerate easy. In city and normal driving I will shift early about 2200 rpm and keep low rpms for quietness and better mpg. Most of the driving at under 3500 rpm. But when I go out to drive harder then rpms will be more in the 4000-5500 range or higher. Lots more noise and less mpg.

_________________
Aloha Hawaii