dchou

Hey guys, I have an Automatic 2003 C240 4Matic. I've started using the manual shifting by tapping the stick to the left. I use gear 2 for city and local driving up to 50 mph, and then switch to gear 3 for all highway driving up to about 85 mph. I usually stay around 75 on highways.

My question: is it bad to use the manual gear shifting to keep the car in high rpms? The car is definately more responsive, but I'm usually around 3000 to 6000 rpms. Will this hurt my engine? Can I continue doing this, especially since the car drives faster?

Thanks.

e1000

you should be fine

AdamVax

if you stay in high RPM's all your going to do is waste a lot of gas

pokerFACE

plus everything will be running hotter.

did anybody hear about those Mazdas being pulled off the road because people kept tapping the CVTs accidentally into 2nd gear on the highway, causing fires?

Outland

And eventually, you'll wear parts of the engine to the point where something could break, keeping the rpms up there all the time.

No, didn't hear that, but given that Mazda is really Ford, I'm not surprised. GM dumped its CVT so quickly after it started having problems, they acted like they never had one. CVT, neat concept, but the materials and design still isn't up to spec.

razorfish228

The wearing of parts only would occur if there is friction involved. These engines are almost bullet proof. The mobil one syn is top notch.

I'd be more worried about the transmission than the engine. But if your going to keep your car for 200,000 miles than I wouldn't really care. Remember you bought the car to have fun and not drive like an old lady.