Is Driving at 70 km/h in 4th Gear Harmful to the Car?
3 Answers
Driving at 70 km/h in 4th gear is not harmful to the car. As long as you avoid high gear at low speeds or low gear at high speeds, it won't affect the car; the gear doesn't matter as much as keeping the RPM below 3000, ideally between 2000-2500. For new cars within the first 5000 km, it's fine to drive at speeds up to 120 km/h on highways, but avoid very long distances. Low-speed driving: Keeping the engine at high RPM levels not only sounds alarming but also consumes more fuel, making it inefficient and noisy. Mismatched gear and engine RPM can lead to oil consumption, clutch wear, and machine damage. It's recommended not to drive this way. Start in first gear and shift to second immediately. If the tachometer reaches a certain level, shift to the corresponding gear. Introduction to 4th gear: 4th gear is a driving gear mainly used for prolonged high-speed and economical driving. Most vehicles achieve their most economical speed in the low-speed range of 4th gear.
Speaking of whether driving at 70 km/h in fourth gear will harm the car, I've had plenty of personal experience with this. Having driven for decades, I believe the key lies in the engine RPM: if the car has a small displacement, driving at 70 km/h in fourth gear might result in RPMs being too low, struggling below 1500 RPM, causing increased engine vibration, and over time, it could lead to burning oil or piston damage. However, for cars with larger displacements, maintaining a normal RPM around 2000 is perfectly fine. I recommend listening to the engine sound, ensuring smooth acceleration, and avoiding letting it labor with a heavy roar. Regularly checking spark plugs and oil pressure can prevent issues. For safety, keep the steering wheel steady and avoid getting distracted by the tachometer.
I usually enjoy driving manual transmission cars for fun, cruising at 70km/h in 4th gear. It really depends on the car model. For small-displacement engines like 1.5L, the RPM might be too low at this speed, causing engine lugging, increased carbon buildup, and higher fuel consumption. But with larger engines like 2.0L or above, if the RPM is appropriate, it won't cause harm. I believe it's important to develop good driving habits – accelerate in lower gears when starting, downshift for more power when overtaking, maintain a steady speed at 70km/h, and avoid forcing the engine to work at excessively low RPMs. Here's an interesting tidbit: if the RPM is too low, the car might even start shaking, sounding like it's sick – time to adjust your driving!
