Silly question regarding RPM when reving in neutral.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Perth, Australia
Audi A4 Quattro 2013
Silly question regarding RPM when reving in neutral.
Yet another thread which show how much a greenhorn I am at car mechanics.
I put my food down on my C200 Kompressor whilst in neutral. The rev meter went up to just over 4000rpm, but it isnt even close to the maximum indicated on the dial. Do the Benz's have some sort of safety switch to prevent engine damage?
When I had my V6/V8 Holdens and I put my foot down, I myself had to hold off from the needle going into the red.
I put my food down on my C200 Kompressor whilst in neutral. The rev meter went up to just over 4000rpm, but it isnt even close to the maximum indicated on the dial. Do the Benz's have some sort of safety switch to prevent engine damage?
When I had my V6/V8 Holdens and I put my foot down, I myself had to hold off from the needle going into the red.
Last edited by anonymousmoose; Apr 6, 2013 at 09:54 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Raleigh, NC
2005 C230K, 2019 Honda CR-V, '74 Lotus Europa
You may already know there is a rev limiter and I suspect that this is an extension of that. It is so easy to over-rev a motor when it's not under load. I might have expected it to cut out at the red line but your experience doesn't really surprise me. I've never tried it on my car. Just never thought about it. 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
It's a green German thing. Cars in neutral will not rev higher than 4K rpm. Throw the car in second gear and you can redline the car in motion. This is to cut down on polution while stationary. I wonder how the green's feel about Mercedes plans to offer a 3kW generator to run a fridge during a power failure or make power for a remote picnic site. The engine will run all night.
Mercedes does not cut fuel (except in a wreck) rather just throttles back.
Mercedes does not cut fuel (except in a wreck) rather just throttles back.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I drive a Toyota Hybrid...
there is a trick to red higher than 4k in Neutral, put it in drive first, let the car move and roll, then quickly shift it to Neutral, then step on the gas u get the epic 4 bangers engine revving 
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Toronto
12 BMW 535Xi; Retired 02 C230 Sport Coupe
I've tried this on several of my retired cars.
Its like the fuel is on , then off, then on again, repeat. The RPM needle seems to bounce over and over. But it is solely to protect the engine with no load on it. No damage to the engine since it can't over-rev.
Its like the fuel is on , then off, then on again, repeat. The RPM needle seems to bounce over and over. But it is solely to protect the engine with no load on it. No damage to the engine since it can't over-rev.
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