what is the rev limiter for really? if it doesn't prevent the revs going over on a mis-down shifts...I haven't missed any shifts yet (knock on wood) but I don't go fast enough in a high enough gear that even if I did mis-shift, nothing would happen except my clutch wouldn't be too happy with me.

My question is this,

why doesn't the rev limiter prevent blown motors? and what is its function then since it doesn't?

thanks

 

I believe it only prevents you from too high RPMs when you're accelerating... when you're downshifting, you're on your own. Someone back me up on this one?

 

Yup,

Rev limiters are not capable of preventing a down-shift over-rev. When you put the car in gear and let off the clutch, you are physically connecting the rear wheels to the engine. The only type of device that would prevent a downshift of this type would be some sort of electronically controlled clutch intercept that wouldn't allow you to engage the clutch at certain gear / mph ratios. I don't know if *any* car has this functionality.

Over-rev's on missed down shifts are possible with ANY car that has a true manual transmission.

Benjamin

 

What Ben said

 

hmm...but SMG's such as in the BMW M3...do not allow you to downshift where it would cause engine harm right?

 

and also...what's the point of the rev limiter? In the old days you could actually blow an engine by just flooring the accelerator and not shifting gears?

 

But the SMG is not really a manual transmission.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Y2K1S2K
[B]and also...what's the point of the rev limiter?

 

Yup. That's why they define red lines for engines.

 

Actually, any car, not just a performance car.

Probably the reason for the rev limiter on the up shift is because an engineer would assume if you got that far up the RPMs and shifting, you should know how to downshift properly.
I've only hit my rev limiter once. It was when I tried to go into VTEC before the engine was warmed up. I will never experience the rev limiter again.