Driving on the highway seems like I'm stressing the car

[xtremesniper]

Hey guys, just a quick question about highway driving.

When I'm driving on the highway, it's pretty normal for me to be going 120KM/h steady for fairly long periods of time. Sometimes when going downhill, this number might go up to 130KM/h or even sometimes (though not too often) 140KM/h.

I notice that the engine gets pretty loud at these speeds, and sounds like it's running at a pretty high rev. Sure enough, taking a look at the tach tells me that it's running anywhere between 3000-3500 rpms, constant.

Is it safe to be stressing the car out like this on a daily basis? (going to and from work).

[xtremesniper]

Haha well actually I'm just going with the flow. If I go 100KM/h I'm confident I would be rear ended 8 times before I manage to come to a stop on the side of the road. =P

[BailOut]

Haha well actually I'm just going with the flow. If I go 100KM/h I'm confident I would be rear ended 8 times before I manage to come to a stop on the side of the road. =P
You would be pleasantly surprised at how traffic parts around you when you do the speed limit in the slow lane. You will become even calmer when you realize that it doesn't matter what other drivers think as long as you have the law on your side. :smile:

[WeeYari]

3000-3500 rpm is nowhere near 'stress'.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Yeah, I cruise around at 55 mph. If someone is truly in a hurry, they will switch lanes.

[SilverBack]

Just mount a couple Domos to the back of your rear headrests to fend off tailgaters :thumbsup:

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Might as well throw in a Pedo Bear while you're at it. That'll keep everyone away :laugh:

[xtremesniper]

Haha I think I might consider the pedo bear...

However, it's not really an issue going that fast because I'm completely comfortable doing it. In fact, when the entire highway is going faster than speed limit, people who go exactly 100KM/h (or even less) sick out like sore thumbs, and cause people to switch lanes to go around, which as we all know increases your chances of getting into an accident by a lot.

Plus, in Toronto at least, nobody uses the proper lanes for what they're meant for. Sometimes the far right lane IS the passing lane as a blockade of slow moving cars (or trucks) make it impossible to pass on the left.

But anyways, back on topic, a constant 3500 rpm isn't stress? It just sounds like it to me, but hey, that's why I'm on here asking. ;)

[MUSKOKA800]

You would be pleasantly surprised at how traffic parts around you when you do the speed limit in the slow lane. You will become even calmer when you realize that it doesn't matter what other drivers think as long as you have the law on your side. :smile:

Clearly you've not familiar with driving in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).
It's SPECIAL.:eek:

[MUSKOKA800]

Haha I think I might consider the pedo bear...

However, it's not really an issue going that fast because I'm completely comfortable doing it. In fact, when the entire highway is going faster than speed limit, people who go exactly 100KM/h (or even less) sick out like sore thumbs, and cause people to switch lanes to go around, which as we all know increases your chances of getting into an accident by a lot.

Plus, in Toronto at least, nobody uses the proper lanes for what they're meant for. Sometimes the far right lane IS the passing lane as a blockade of slow moving cars (or trucks) make it impossible to pass on the left.

But anyways, back on topic, a constant 3500 rpm isn't stress? It just sounds like it to me, but hey, that's why I'm on here asking. ;)


Not to worry. I recently drove from Burlington to Regina via the US route. Speed limits are 75 mph through ND and traffic flows at 85 mph. It was "exciting" to say the least for the first hour but my sedan cruised nicely at 85 mph (135-140 kph) for hours on end. The apparent lack of traffic (compared to the GTA) was a pleasant surprise. And folks stay right so I could run the cruise control, passing when necessary, at 85 mph for looooooong periods without interuption.
Man it's nice to be able to cover some ground, so unlike the perpetual gridlock around Southern Ontario.

[xtremesniper]

Not to worry. I recently drove from Burlington to Regina via the US route. Speed limits are 75 mph through ND and traffic flows at 85 mph. It was "exciting" to say the least for the first hour but my sedan cruised nicely at 85 mph (135-140 kph) for hours on end. The apparent lack of traffic (compared to the GTA) was a pleasant surprise. And folks stay right so I could run the cruise control, passing when necessary, at 85 mph for looooooong periods without interuption.
Man it's nice to be able to cover some ground, so unlike the perpetual gridlock around Southern Ontario.

Good to hear, thanks for that.

Definitely agreed on the GTA traffic, though I don't think it's too different from what people would experience in other big cities around the States like New York or LA. Most people still generally are nice enough to let you merge here, and I don't know of too many incidents where fingers had to be raised at other drivers. So I think we're probably not even as bad, except when compared to smaller towns. The main reason for the "getting nowhere any time soon" problem is due to the lack of proper infrastructure for both cars and transit. Most people have no viable alternate method of transportation.

I think in general my biggest issue on the roads is people not following the basic rules of the road, like signaling when changing lanes, driving at least speed limit (hate people who go 50-60 in a 70), actually stopping at stop signs and not just slowing down to 20 and then rolling through, and even something as basic as staying in your own lane. I think those problems are mainly due to people talking on cell phones, being elderly, or being "too cool" for the rules.

[jambo101]

You would be pleasantly surprised at how traffic parts around you when you do the speed limit in the slow lane. How are you in the slow lane if traffic is passing you on both sides:confused:
And the car wont be stressed at anything under 6000rpm in fact if you drive around all the time at low rpm:s you could be inducing carbon and sludge build up in your engine.

[BailOut]

Plus, in Toronto at least, nobody uses the proper lanes for what they're meant for. Sometimes the far right lane IS the passing lane as a blockade of slow moving cars (or trucks) make it impossible to pass on the left.
This may sound flippant, but I say again that it isn't your problem. As long as you are doing the right thing and following the laws and regulations it matters not one whit if anyone else doesn't like it. They are free to petition the appropriate government entity for a modification or repeal of the laws and regulations that they don't like, or for more active enforcement of the ones that they prefer.

How are you in the slow lane if traffic is passing you on both sides:confused:
They're called highway exits, or off ramps, and there are also merging lanes. :wink:

[xtremesniper]

This may sound flippant, but I say again that it isn't your problem. As long as you are doing the right thing and following the laws and regulations it matters not one whit if anyone else doesn't like it. They are free to petition the appropriate government entity for a modification or repeal of the laws and regulations that they don't like, or for more active enforcement of the ones that they prefer.


They're called highway exits, or off ramps, and there are also merging lanes. :wink:

I agree with you, but keep in mind that in Canada (at least the part of Canada that I live in) the speed limit on highways is 100KM/h, which equates to about 62mph. It's slow, and almost no one goes at that speed. Law abiding or not, I think going that slow on the highway is actually much more dangerous than "breaking" the law (which I put in quotations because no one gets ticketed for going 120, as it is the implied norm). The absolute max over any speed limit you can travel in Ontario is 50KM/h over, which would equate to 93mph on the highways. At that speed, you get your car impounded and your license revoked for at least a week.

[IllusionX]

and up to 10000$ fine.

[Altitude]

Took a 3400 mile round trip in the Yaris several weeks ago. Running mostly 75mph the whole time. Yes the engine revs high, but I experienced no signs of stress and still managed to get good mileage even with the AC on most of the way. You have nothing to worry about.

[talnlnky]

It's been almost a year since I drove my car up to 95mph one friday night when I had an 8hr drive once I got off work. I don't remember any "stressed" type sound. You might want to check your oil level ....just in case. If by some freak accident you are running a quart or two low it should make more noise than usual, and put a hell of a lot more stress on the engine.

[ern-diz]

i'm pretty sure, at least in california, that one of the laws IS to keep up with the flow of traffic...posted 65mph signs are for ideal conditions but, if the flow is 80mph, than in order to avoid being an obstruction, u should be going 80mph...on the flip side, if conditions are hard rain and everyone is moving at 50mph, then at that moment, the speed limit is 50mph...i drive an average of 80mph on all highways i use in my area and have been passed by highway patrol many times at those speeds...faster than the flow (and slower than the flow) disrupt the flow and in my humble opinion, is more dangerous than keeping pace...i honestly can't stand it when people feel like they're in their own bubble on the road...i don't agree with getting into wolf packs, proper spacing is crucial but, in my experience driving in your own bubble leads to decision making that can negatively affect the larger body of traffic...we need to be aware of each other, even if that means losing a few mpg, so i myself can totally understand what sniper is saying...need i even mention the 'person going 55 in the carpool' scenario?...we all know what kinds of problems that creates...

as for stress on the yaris, i must admit that i would prefer a bit less sound from the engine at 80mph (which makes the thought of a 6th gear, as mentioned in another thread, a nice idea) but, i understand that these engines are built for high revs so, i know i'm not doing any damage at a sustained 3500 rpm...

[BailOut]

i'm pretty sure, at least in california, that one of the laws IS to keep up with the flow of traffic
Like most States, California has laws dealing with impeding the flow of traffic. However, it is entirely subjective both from enforcement and conviction standpoints, and the only definitive laws deal with the left-most lane. In other words, doing the speed limit, or even a bit below the speed limit (meaning 55 MPH), in the right-hand lane, is perfectly legal and defensible.

Here's an article from the California Chronicle that explains it all:

http://www.californiachronicle.com/articles/view/105497

[SailDesign]

Commuting 85 miles each way - 1/3 back road, 2/3 highway, averaging 60mph for the trip (75-80mph highway most of the time to "go with the flow") and no stress on the engine. Averaged 39 mpg for the week.

[JBIZZ]

The Yaris can handle it and is desinged to run at higher RPMs. As far as posted speed goes, most posted speed limits were intially enacted when cars were far less safe, such as cars with 4 drum brakes, no air bags, no seat, belts & no crumple zones. These days any car can go 85 mph safely on the highway. If you get a ticket fight it in court. It's what courts are for. Plus you can help the government with court fees, they need it right now.

[TOUGEghost]

VVT starts getting more aggressive around the 3500 rpm area; that' s why the engine gets a little louder. It's still a relatively low rpm that doesn't put that much stress on the engine.

[xtremesniper]

Good to know guys, I think the general consensus here is that there is no stress on the engine. I will, for good measure, check the engine oil just to be sure. But this is a fairly new car (still under 5000km on it) so I doubt there will be any problems there.

[Zaphod]

As far as posted speed goes, most posted speed limits were intially enacted when cars were far less safe, such as cars with 4 drum brakes, no air bags, no seat, belts & no crumple zones.
Traffic conditions were also much lighter than they are today and people had more common sense.

Yay for anti-lock disc brakes, but air bags, crumple zones and seat belts do absolutely nothing to help prevent an accident, which is the whole point of the speed limit in the first place.

I'm no angel but I know when I'm taking a risk by speeding and I don't go for sissy cop outs like that.

[xtremesniper]

Traffic conditions were also much lighter than they are today and people had more common sense.

Yay for anti-lock disc brakes, but air bags, crumple zones and seat belts do absolutely nothing to help prevent an accident, which is the whole point of the speed limit in the first place.

I'm no angel but I know when I'm taking a risk by speeding and I don't go for sissy cop outs like that.

I don't agree that speed limits exist to prevent accidents, as there are far more things that contribute to accidents than simply speed. It's much more complex/intertwined than that.

But regardless, speed limits are here. I use them as guidelines, not strict maximums. That's as simple as my reasoning gets. I usually go 10 KM/h over the limit, whatever it is set to, except for 80KM/h zones, which I usually am satisfied with as a speed limit. There is nothing unsafe about that.

[Zaphod]

I don't agree that speed limits exist to prevent accidents, as there are far more things that contribute to accidents than simply speed. It's much more complex/intertwined than that.

But regardless, speed limits are here. I use them as guidelines, not strict maximums. That's as simple as my reasoning gets. I usually go 10 KM/h over the limit, whatever it is set to, except for 80KM/h zones, which I usually am satisfied with as a speed limit. There is nothing unsafe about that.
I agree that there are multiple causes for accidents, probably the largest reason around here is just ego, plain and simple. Followed closely by cell phones, or otherwise distracted drivers.

I was only talking about risks, and being aware when you're taking them.

Accidents are just one risk associated with speeding, another is tickets, which are just another form of revenue for some counties/cities. It's the same way with photo enforced stoplights and speed zones.

I'm talking about using common sense and realizing that you change your reaction time and increase your stopping time, adjusting the space between you and the car in front of you, memorizing the location of the most common speed traps, paying attention to what's happening around you, etc.

And I know for a fact that they are always adjusting the speed limits for work zones, high traffic areas for the sole purpose of avoiding accidents. How many government sponsored commercials advertising just exactly that?

And that's what I'm talking about, if you decide to plow through dangerous interchanges at 80mph an hour where the speed limit says 45, well you're kind of asking for it, aren't you? But everybody knows better until their car is a wrecked heap and they've lost full functionality of a limb, which is fine by me as long as they don't involve me in their self destructive ego trip.

[talnlnky]

no the first reason for a speed limit on the highway is to safe gas , thus reducing the stress on the oil supply thus reducing the need to buy fuel. in Germany you can go as fast as you want in certain areas, but above 130km/h you are waiving your insurance away. Simple effective and fairmaybe in your country.... Saving gas was only once a reason for speed limits in this country.... and it really was just a strong armed tactic used against Montana by the federal government.