Whats the whole point of gears in a car? Is it because of the way the gas engine works? For example, the new B7 A4 2.0 T achieves 200 hp at an RMP range of 5100-6000. Does that mean that at that RPM range the engine is at maximum output? What about torque? What is that and how do you physically see it? I have multitronic transmission on my B7 and notice that the car is always in 1000 and 2000 RPM. Is that supposed to be the most optimal RPM range for the engine? Is it bad to have the car rev between 5000-6000 RPM? Why do RPMs go down as you shift up? Sorry but I'm still new to the whole car thing... viva A4!

 

This should get you started...

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/horsepower.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/automa...ansmission.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/torque-converter.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm

 

Thanks Jest! I've read some of them. However, I didn't find any info about whether keeping RPMs high are bad for the engine. I'm not talking redlining the engine but keeping the B7 between 5-6k RPM when racing. Correct me if I'm wrong, an good racer would try to get between 5-6k RPM on 1st gear, and then upshift while keeping the car at that RPM range to achieve maximum acceleration? I have noticed that I can accelerate faster when tiptronic is on than when I just have it in automatic.

 

Reving the engine high all the time consumes lots of gas and can be hard on engine internals over a period of time. That's not to say it IS for sure, but that it can be. I rev my engine to redline all the time for fun. Cars have a certain power band though were they produce maximum power (5100-6000), after that power production begins to fall off.

 

Jest, you get a exhaust yet?

 

Nope. Looks like I'll be doing something custom. Havn't put much thought into it yet though.

 

First an engine only works at about 70% its full ability so driving @ WOT isnt
doing much to hurt the engine .
So by putting in gears we can multiply torque and speed
The RPMs drop between shifts to help cusion the gear changes
as well as there is power loss through the changing of the gears