What are the consequences of prolonged engine speed below 2000 RPM?
2 Answers
The consequence of prolonged engine speed below 2000 RPM is excessive carbon buildup. It is recommended to drive at higher speeds occasionally for better engine performance. Long-term low-speed driving can cause significant damage to your vehicle for the following reasons: 1. Incomplete combustion - When the engine operates at low RPM for extended periods, its power output remains underutilized, leading to substantial carbon deposits; 2. Increased accident risk - Sustained low-speed driving makes your vehicle vulnerable to sideswiping during overtaking maneuvers, significantly raising accident probability; 3. Higher fuel consumption - Most sedans achieve optimal fuel efficiency at around 90 km/h, with speeds either below or above this range resulting in increased fuel consumption. Therefore, the best practice is to adjust driving patterns appropriately, accurately assess road conditions, and maintain cautious driving habits.
Keeping the engine RPM below 2000 for extended periods is not good. I used to drive like this in city traffic jams too, but the mechanic warned me it leads to easier carbon buildup in the engine. When RPM is too low, gasoline doesn't burn completely, and excessive carbon deposits can make the car lose power and become more fuel-consuming. Last time, my car shook like a massage chair because of this, and I ended up spending hundreds to clean the throttle body. What's worse, the transmission suffers too—especially automatic transmissions that frequently shift gears can easily overheat. I've heard occasionally driving on the highway at higher RPMs can actually help clean carbon deposits. Now when I hit the highway, I specifically switch to manual mode and rev up to 4000 RPM for a few minutes.
