Quick Question about RPM's/ Redlining

[carolthompson323]

Help: Question re: RPM's
This is probably not the correct place to post this, but I'm unsure where that might be on my searches (mea culpa).

I have yet to take possession of my smart, however, I do have a couple of questions: Has anyone ever noted at what rpm's the engine runs say at 70 - 85 mph?

2nd question: At what speed, does the smart redline?

Really appreciate your help here.

[burtandnancy]

If no one does it sooner, I'll post you some chart rates this PM. From the top of my head I think I remember from the owners manual that it red lines at 6300 (unchipped). More later...

[SmartCard]

.....and you'll be running in the 3000 - 3500 range at those highway speeds.

oops...thought you had listed 60 - 75 mph. Probably would be pushing 4 grand over 80 (haven't had much experience with it in those speeds)

[carolthompson323]

Originally Posted by burtandnancy

If no one does it sooner, I'll post you some chart rates this PM. From the top of my head I think I remember from the owners manual that it red lines at 6300 (unchipped). More later...

Thanks, you two,

I'd really appreciate it. I've searched and searched the forum but have not been able to find any postings on this subject.

[jwight]

Our car is over 4K at 80 mph if I remember correctly.

The car's computer will shift to the next higher gear if the rpm goes too high, so it has built in protection against over revving.

Last but not least, top speed is electronically limited to 90 mph so no worry about redlining it there.

[carolthompson323]

Originally Posted by jwight

Our car is over 4K at 80 mph if I remember correctly.

The car's computer will shift to the next higher gear if the rpm goes too high, so it has built in protection against over revving.

Last but not least, top speed is electronically limited to 90 mph so no worry about redlining it there.

Many thanks, jwight.

[mendo]

it will hold around 90mph in 4th or 5th.

(unless you go down a big hill with a tailwind, then maybe 94)

[jwight]

That's the indicated speed; a check against a GPS will show the actual speed very close to 90 mph. The smart speedos seem to read a couple of mph fast.

[Westfield 11]

Originally Posted by jwight

That's the indicated speed; a check against a GPS will show the actual speed very close to 90 mph. The smart speedos seem to read a couple of mph fast.

This was my experience too, the speedo is a bit optimistic to keep you out of trouble with the law and the 5th gear is so much of an overdrive that it will not pull to redline anyway. I suspect that it will go faster in 4th than in 5th, which is not uncommon these days. The governor is linked to the speedo and not the tach IIRC so unless you have altered the ECU you may not be able to find out.

[SunDiego]

I manage to find my self in 4th gear more often then 5th unless I've reached the speed I want and start cruising along.