Are cars meant to be driven a lot?

Do fast cars need to occasionally be driven fast?

In the broad spectrum of cars, there’s higher end models with sport-focused engines. Examples would be an BMW M3, and even more so Ferraris and Koenigseggs etc. Apparently they’re more fussy, in that new cars need a careful run in, special oil, etc. Given that they often have a huge swathe of torque, you can get away with minimal throttle and low RPMs for conservative road driving. Question is, is this ok? I’ve heard that these cars «need» to be driven hard occasionally, i.e. an «Italian tune-up» and all that. Granted, there’s the ulterior motive of actually using the car to its full potential. One owner wrote on a forum that after taking his BMW M5 to the track, the exhaust pipe was nicely cleaned out and it was a smoother drive on the way back. Along with clearing out carbon build up from low temperature and low airflow usage, another issue might be optimal RPM for piston and head life. An engine might be so optimised for performance at 8,000 RPM, that driving it at 1,500 RPM long term, though very doable, could result in extra engine wear. Is there any truth in that? Perhaps there are certain sports cars that do need this «Italian» treatment?

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asked Jun 1, 2014 at 3:28
andrewb andrewb
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On a new vehicle when running in, running at very low rpm is likely to be counter productive. Preventing the pistons/ bores from sealing fully. Very different to an Italian tune up, rather the effect of driving too gently. Add in a catalytic converter which needs to be up to temperature to work, lots of short / slow journeys can allow a build of of deposits limiting its efficiency and a good thrash can allow it to burn off the deposits.

Aug 20, 2019 at 8:05

4 Answers 4

Sorted by: Reset to default

DISCLAIMER: This is one of those questions where you are going to get a ton of opinion and speculation, and my reply will have some of that in it as well.

I think there is a lot of myth out there about what cars actually need to maintain them as they are and should be. For instance, your comment about the M5 owner. The entire statement is about seat of the pants performance check. It could be that the driver was very excited, still hyped on adrenalin, and it felt better to him because he felt better. On the other hand there is some basis of truth, depending on the driving habits of the individual involved.

It is good for any vehicle to be driven for an extended period of time. If the engine and components are not given a chance to warm up thoroughly, you’ll find that carbon build-up and moisture will be left behind where you really don’t want it to occur (in the oil and crank case most notably). Does this mean you need to once in a while drive the performance vehicle like a raped banshee to «clean the carbon out»? Not at all. If the car is ran up to operating temperature on a regular basis (a minimum of once a month) and driven for a good set of miles (30+), you should have no issue with the car other than normal maintenance and should expect the vehicle to perform when you want it to perform.

Even if it were true, what would be the maintenance interval and specifications for an «Italian Tuneup»? Do you roast the rear tires once a month? Twice a month? Is driving at 150mph what needs to happen? And for how long? What should you do to achieve this «blowing out the carbon» and getting your high performance sports car to a proper tune? I hope you see the problem with this, because there isn’t any correct answer. It all comes from seat of the pants tuning, which isn’t accurate, to say the least. People will tell you this must be done so as to give themselves a reason to drive their vehicle to the extreme of their vehicle’s ability. This is one of the two reasons to have bought the vehicle in the first place (the other reason is for the bragging rights). Something you’ll find, though, is owners of these higher performance vehicles are not content with «normal driving». It is way too easy and exhibits way too much fun to be able to drive such a car at the performance level it was designed. This is the reason you purchase something like this in the first place. Most owners of such vehicles will give it the Italian Tuneup on a regular basis, just because they can.

What it boils down to is this: Give me some empirical evidence an «Italian Tuneup» is needed to maintain the proper running of a vehicle and I’ll believe it. Until then, I’ll stick with what I know, which is, proper maintenance and regular driving is all you need and the vehicle, no matter what vehicle, will be just fine.

Are cars meant to be driven hard

Do you think cars are meant to be driven hard? Does it do any harm or would you say it does them some good to have a good thrashing one in a while?

How hard do you drive your car?

HugoBoss

The Torque Meister

Points 77 Location Australia NSW Car r33 skyline gtst

Wouldn’t say driving them hard all the time is any good, infact that would wear out all components a lot faster, I mean everything is working harder, brakes, discs, tyres, engine, suspension components, all are taking quite a beating. That said, a lot of stop and go town driving does the same. What is good for the car is the open road long journeys, after lots of town driving cars get lazy and sluggish and the best safest way to bring them back to life is with a nice long highway drive. I drive my car very cruisy some days and very spirited the next, depends on my mood and the song on the radio.

TCJBOLDIE

Moderator

Staff member
Points 757 Location Brisbane Car 2011 Honda FN2

Can’t see the point in buying a sporty car of any make if you never explore its limits or yours, on the track. What’s the point ( other than feel good self image ) of having for instance say a M badged BMW ,AMG , Audi RS when the same shape without the extra badges would still take you all the places where you want to be seen .
Have been held up behind all of the above being driven well below the speed limits by mainly drivers who appear to have emigrated here ( trying to be politically correct & not racist )
PS would love to own all of the above and many others but sadly out of reach for me and freely admit to being a little envious .

Last edited: 12 May 2013

davalav

Pro Tuner

Points 387 Location Essex, England Car Mini Cooper S R56

Some times I like to give my ZR a good go on the back roads out my way. All ways let a car warm up aswell. Annoys me when I see fellow drivers ragging there cars and all this white smoke is pouring out.

SLEEPER

Pro Tuner

Points 592
hardly worth answering. bigsmile::bigsmile::bigsmile:
Reactions: pgarner and MasterAuron

st24

The Torque Meister

Points 187 Location uk basingstoke Car Insignia cdti 160

Wouldn’t say driving them hard all the time is any good, infact that would wear out all components a lot faster, I mean everything is working harder, brakes, discs, tyres, engine, suspension components, all are taking quite a beating. That said, a lot of stop and go town driving does the same. What is good for the car is the open road long journeys, after lots of town driving cars get lazy and sluggish and the best safest way to bring them back to life is with a nice long highway drive. I drive my car very cruisy some days and very spirited the next, depends on my mood and the song on the radio.

old-git

Moderator

Points 657 Location Essex Car Elan & Robin Hood

If everyone drove their cars hard there would be a lot more room for me, although there may be some drainage issues due to the number of cars in ditches.

Most people have never driven a car hard. Of the few that have, most haven’t got a clue about how to go about it safely.

babygirl92

Wrench Pro

Points 6 Location canada Car vw beetle pink
I hope this isnt a inside joke about me

HugoBoss

The Torque Meister

Points 77 Location Australia NSW Car r33 skyline gtst
Well if it is then I totally missed out on the whole idea of the thread.

old-git

Moderator

Points 657 Location Essex Car Elan & Robin Hood
I hope this isnt a inside joke about me

No, I have no idea on your level of driving skill so I am unable to comment. It was a general observation based on 43 years of experiencing British drivers.

Hopefully, there are no inside jokes on this site.

pgarner

TC ModFather

Points 417 Location Lockerbie, SW Scotland Car Octy smoke machine
I hope this isnt a inside joke about me

wouldnt worry theres no inside jokes here we make then obvious enough.

anyway yes cars should be driven hard every so often. doesnt nessessary mean that you have to drive it right to the red line in every gear every time — well unless your a 17 year old in a corsa with 7 other folk in the car

HugoBoss

The Torque Meister

Points 77 Location Australia NSW Car r33 skyline gtst
:bigsmile::bigsmile:

st24

The Torque Meister

Points 187 Location uk basingstoke Car Insignia cdti 160

Yep them corsas/chavmobiles with argos exhausts!
They are a disease where I live its fun to make them look silly though.

SLEEPER

Pro Tuner

Points 592
Personally I don’t find the need to make them look silly it only encourages them.

HDi fun

TC ModFather

Points 637 Location Buckinghamshire UK Car Passat 2.0 TDi

Corsa — attach a lighted fireworks-night sparkler to the roof aerial. You car looks like a fairground dodgem so why not complete the image

st24

The Torque Meister

Points 187 Location uk basingstoke Car Insignia cdti 160
Personally I don’t find the need to make them look silly it only encourages them.

Fair one.

Rudders666

Torque Master

Points 162 Location West Yorkshire Car Ford Focus ST300+

If you can afford the fuel and it’s not a danger to anyone else then yes, give it some beans now and then. Don’t drive like a complete tool all the time hooning it around cutting people up though. In my experience I have found it’s the slower more hesitant and plod-along drivers that end up causing the most issues on the road. Stopping in the middle of a roundabout for instance. Retarded. Not actually knowing how roundabouts work or give ways, not indicating. Wow i could go on and on. but i wont. not just yet. lol

HDi fun

TC ModFather

Points 637 Location Buckinghamshire UK Car Passat 2.0 TDi

Hard driving doesn’t have to mean silly or dangerous driving.

It’s all down to interpretation and attitude.

Taking a fully warmed engine to the red line is far less ‘hard’ that taking a stone cold one 85% of the way to the red line.

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