Do I drive like a grandpa?

[UPJOHN]

At night, on my drive from work, I do.
My TJ is a little loud so I get through the gears kind of quick and run as low RPMs as possible. When the speed limit goes from 55 to 30 I can stay in 5th gear at 30 and my Jeep really doesn't seem to mind, and doesn't feel like it's lugging.
I read that the 4.0 is happy at higher RPMs.

 

[Rob5589]

Running/lugging/chugging along at low rpm's isn't great for an engine, generally. But hey, you do what you think is best, gramps:emoji_older_man:

 

[RedTJ]

The night time drive home from work is my time to wind down. I'm a therapist and I spend my day talking. Once I'm done, I want some peace so on the way home I set the cruise at 60. Too much over that and things get louder and busier. My engine runs at about 2500rpm at 60 and seems perfectly comfortable at that speed. Sometimes I turn off the radio and listen to the engine. Do you drive like a grandpa? Probably. As for the 4.0 being happy at higher RPM, I don't know what happy means but I don't feel comfortable going much over 2500 for any length of time. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my opinion.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Staying under 2500 rpms should not be a goal, it's too easy lug the engine when cruising at lower rpms.

To me 2600-2700 rpms at 70 mph is a sweet spot for larger tires. Smaller tires make slightly lower rpms ok but don't continue striving for the lowest rpms possible... they're not helping the engine. In fact, the engine will accumulate excessive carbon in the combustion chambers if the engine is driven too conservatively. That causes knocking or pinging.

Lastly, lower rpms don't necessarily mean better mpg if the engine isn't running in its sweet spot. Regearing the axles to raise the engine rpms back up after installing larger tires can often even improve the mpg.

Don't be afraid to rev the 2.5 or 4.0 engines. They're pretty much bulletproof and not delicate like many car engines are.

 

[UPJOHN]

At 11pm I'm just trying to be quiet. There's usually a cop or two watching.
It suprises me that my TJ runs so smooth at such a low RPM in 5th gear.
355 gearing, 31" tires, ax15 transmission. 4.0. 2000 RPM@ 60 MPH.

 

[Chris]

I usually find any excuse I can to drive slower or take longer to get to my destination when driving my TJ. It's one of those cars that you don't want to drive fast, because when you've got the top down and the doors off on a sunny day, nothing compares!

 

[Tbird Clair]

I love to drive mine in beast mode at all times. I get all manner of surprised looks when I go from 0 to 70 from a stop in less than an hour or pass other vehicles going uphill like they're standing still...I guess no one expects that from a jeep... but, that's just me [emoji51]

 

[Rob5589]

Even my 2.4 goes from 0-75, literally

 

[PCO6]

Years ago when my workshop was in the basement I lugged an engine I rebuilt all the way up the stairs and out to the driveway. I damn near broke my back. I've never lugged engines since. :risas3:

 

[Chris]

I love to drive mine in beast mode at all times. I get all manner of surprised looks when I go from 0 to 70 from a stop in less than an hour or pass other vehicles going uphill like they're standing still...I guess no one expects that from a jeep... but, that's just me [emoji51]

You in your TJ?

 

[bobthetj03]

You in your TJ?

That's too funny right there! My wife's car is a 350Z, lol! I gotta send this to her!

 

[Tbird Clair]

You in your TJ?

Pretty much, yes...