Is it Bad to Redline your Engine? Can it be Good?

In this video I give examples and explain when it's likely safe to redline the engine and when you should avoid it. I also demonstrate how to know when your engine is up to operating temperature, I talk about the Italian tune up and what affect modifying your engine may have on how safe it is to use all the available revs.

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This video is a guide intended to help people who are learning to drive with a driving instructor in Great Britain, it is by no means a replacement for driving lessons with an appropriately qualified driving instructor.

Laws and driving rules may be different in your country. The makers of this video cannot be held liable for any consequences caused by any information that is in any way inaccurate, misleading or missing. The makers of this video are not liable for any person's driving other than their own, it is the responsibility of the person driving a vehicle to ensure they drive safely and within the law. The makers of this video are also not liable for any person failing a driving test as a result of the information provided in the video.

00:00 It's not yes or no
00:28 Cold engine
02:52 What is warm
04:27 Revs vs load
05:09 Redlining a young engine
05:59 Age
07:41 Turbo engine
09:08 Turbo cold start
10:09 Cambelt
11:20 Oil temperature
12:44 Load vs revs
15:17 Lugging the engine
16:52 Why I don't drive my car gently
20:31 Redlining an older car
21:18 Italian tune up
23:17 Modified engines
24:35 Money shift

[barsorrro]

Richard, you have a rare gift for explaining things clearly, in simple terms, without childish simplification, and with a backing in personal experience. Keep up the great job! Really grateful for this bit of very informative and pleasant to watch video.

[mxmln]

I flor my 12 year old 1.2l Corsa with about 100k miles on the clock on the Autobahn for years now, also regularly reaching the red line. It still manages it like a boss. You just need to get it serviced regularly and wait for it to heat up before you do that.

[olo]

I'm glad you mentioned valve float at the end. One of the biggest killers of tuned engines is this. People absolutely underestimate the importance of timing and high quality valvetrain components.

[moopet]

I've been driving for 30-something years and am not really watching these to learn anything - but they're just good, solid, quality videos. Well done :)

[floodtheinbox]

This video very approachably touches on subjects that those of us blessed with mechanical sympathy understand on a spiritual level: the engine in your car, although it be a machine, is still constrained by laws of nature and the properties of matter; and when a driver dimly pushes it beyond its tolerances, the results are inconvenient and expensive. What a great watch m8, honestly. Love this channel.

[geoffclarke]

Great advice. I owned a Porsche 996 GT3 for many years with a redline of 8200rpm and maximum power was close to the redline so you really had to rev the engine for maximum performance. I used to hit the redline frequently on track days and had a few second gear blasts on the road and never had any issues. Always made sure the engine had warmed up before I extended it and the car was regularly serviced and had frequent oil changes. Too many drivers thrash their cars from cold and the results can be a trashed engine and big bills.

[nicklasveva]

This is probably one of your better videos. This information is good for drivers across the entire experience spectrum. Most of your videos are made for learners, I get that. You're a trustworthy guy, keep it the heck up.

[royliber]

As a guy who owns for around 3 years or so a fairly modern, manual turbo charged engine I gotta say this was very informative. I already did used some of these tips even before watching the video but its always nice to see someone who knows what he is talking about tell you why you should do so. It's probably easier to keep revs lower with a manual car than automatic altho modern automatic cars will keep the revs low when the engine temp is low so its all good either way.

[kr]

I like how it says "Prohibited in Germany" in the manual.

[patrickblakethesaint]

I'm so glad I discovered this channel. It's quickly becoming my favorite. It answers so many questions I didn't know I wanted to ask!

[dErHaRd]

The level of precision that you have at all times makes this one of the best videos about engines/cars I have ever watched.
I can truely say you are well educated about engineering nd mechanics and that you have an outstanding communication level.
Brilliant video

[Healthlifereporter]

I started watching your videos when I was teaching my 17yr old nephew about a year ago. He passed his test, 1st time, last November and I'm still watching your channel?
I've been driving for over 35 years...I drive for a living, actually. and I still find myself learning something new (every day is a school day). Part of my job is mentoring new PCV drivers, so I know...well, I think I know, a lot about safe driving. You're not just helping new drivers, you've made me remember a lot of what I've forgotten over the years (it's an age thing) . I even bought a SEAT Leon because of watching your videos.
Keep it up!

[hileutewie]

I've owned a humble Peugot 206 with only 60hp and I redlined that car all the time. Regardless of my "abuse" it was still very reliable, because I took care of the engine and only hooned it, when the temperatures allowed me to do so. Honestly, people really don't have to worry too much about pushing the RPMs, especially when they drive a n/a car. Those in particular are designed to be revved, the power is at high RPMs, not pushing the engine is quite a waste of the engines potential IMO.

[Clouds-nq]

Just passed my driving test after a couple months of driving, first time with 1 minor fault. I really appreciate your great quality content and it definitely made a hugeee difference in my driving/confidence, ur vids are a blessing to anyone trying to learn. Thanks! 🙏

[lnemf]

Hey Richard, wanted to let you know your videos have been a massive help in learning and understanding manual transmission, as an American who has only used automatic. I'm now daily driving a manual super smoothly and having plenty of fun with it! Thanks for all you do!

[ElderlyAnteater]

Know you hear this a lot but I passed my first test today with 2 minors! Really appreciate your videos, especially watching loads the night before to get my confidence up. Cheers Richard, will be sticking around for future videos, love videos like these going into detail about cars rather than learning for the test, too :)

[eco]

i absolutely love the pedal camera along with the rev and speed camera, this is super helpful man!

[andrewsproson]

Excellent tutorial.I’ve been driving for 40 years and know a lot about car mechanics but I still found this video very comprehensive and learnt a few new things too.

[georgebrindley]

Hi Richard. I'd already passed my test by the time I stumbled across your channel, but I've found your videos extremely helpful as a new driver. Thank you!

[nightwolf]

Man, I love how informative your channel is, so many great tips to learn for daily drivers or new car fans! Keep up the great work and know it is much appreciated 🙏🏼💙