question from a new rookie

[PRush]

I am very familiar with the maximun cruising speeds for my 2001 New VW Bettle TDI as I use the TDI to commute from NW FL. to our corporate offices in La. quite often, about 368 miles each way. 80-90 mph produces no ill effects.

Wednesday I am making the same run with my new 2003 HO, 48RE, 3. 73, Laramie Quad, 4x4, SRW, stock 17" wheels & tires. I have 7,000 miles of careful breakin on this wonderful beast. First oil & filter change @ 1,000 mi. , second @ 3,500 mi. , THIRD @ 7,000 mi. I have ranged highway speeds from 60- 90 mph. I have not experienced one problem thus far.

The run will not include any load or trailering.

My question is: What is my maximun safe cruising speed/rpm for an extended time for the engine & gearing for the beast that my ass is astradle.

 

[Elite1]

I run my trucks pretty much the same way you run your TDI, on road trips. Set the cruise for 85 and she humms right along no problem. Your mileage will suffer some at those speeds, I think optimum for mpg is about 65.

 

[Ladders]

Concur with Elite1. The cruise control wont work over 85.



I would vary the rpms every couple of 100 miles (maybe 3xs) just to ensure the rings dont leave a ridge at the top (to me this is where the wear is more likely to happen, IF at all).



With about 7k on mine, I still do it every so often, even in local traffic. Will continue doing this till it gots about 10-15k on it.

Agn, just another opinion... ..... 0. 015$ worth. Run it like you stole it (our old maxim).

SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[CATCRACKER]

set mine at 83 for 220 miles from 45miles north of Jackson MS to New Orleans varied speed by running up to 100 a couple of times. With 315's my truck loves to run in the 80's all day long. temps look good to even when the heat index was 95

 

[Prairie Dog]

Cummins says it's ok to run them all day at any speed below redline. Unlike gassers, the red line on these isn't where things start coming apart but is only the limit of the useful power band.

 

[CATCRACKER]

Originally posted by Prairie Dog

Cummins says it's ok to run them all day at any speed below redline. Unlike gassers, the red line on these isn't where things start coming apart but is only the limit of the useful power band.

ditto these motors will run wide open all day long

 

[PRush]

reply: questions from the new rookie

thanks for the advice and insight. did the round trip at 80-90 mph

@ avg. 16. 7 mpg. no problems with tires aired @ 60 PSI, heavy rain & winds, handled like a dream thru it all. CARRIED NO LOAD. rough as hell roads in la. from slidell to houma @ 60 psi.