What Are the Hazards of Lugging the Engine?
2 Answers
Hazards of lugging the engine: 1. Wears out the clutch disc, reducing its service life; 2. Causes transmission wear, shortening the transmission's lifespan; 3. Accelerates piston wear in the engine; 4. Damages the driveshaft, leading to bearing failure inside it. Lugging refers to a speed-gear mismatch where manual transmission vehicles are driven at high speeds in low gears, forcibly lowering engine RPM and reducing power output, thereby causing vehicle damage. Causes of lugging: 1. Misadjusted shift linkage mechanism preventing full gear engagement; 2. Worn reverse gear lock mechanism in the transmission; 3. Softened or broken gear detent spring; 4. Excessive wear of gear lock blocks.
Having driven for twenty years, I've seen too many cases of engines being ruined due to lugging. Lugging means driving at low speeds in high gears, where the engine runs at too low RPMs and bears excessive load, increasing internal wear and tear—components like piston rings and connecting rods are prone to damage. Over time, this leads to hefty repair costs. Fuel efficiency also suffers, as the overworked engine burns more fuel. Safety-wise, if the engine stalls during climbing or overtaking, the sudden loss of power is extremely dangerous. I recommend developing the habit of monitoring RPMs; if they drop below 1,500, it's time to downshift. A car is like an old friend—treat it well, and it will stay with you for the long haul.
