My 05 TTS is still fairly new to me and once in a while on hard acceleration my shift is still too slow 1->2 or 2->3 gear. The needle bounces and the engine growls and putts a couple of times until I shift and rpms normalize.

How bad is this for the car? What exactly happens internally when I do this?

I don't do it regularly; maybe 2-3 times in the last 1500 miles. Those first two gears just fly past so quickly.

 

The engine is trying to protect itself by engaging the rev limiter - each instance is logged in the ECU and viewable through the Porsche diagnostic program, but the rev limiter is there to save the engine. I wouldn't get in the habit of doing it all the time, but once in a while won't hurt anything.

 

Thanks. I thought I smelled a new smell after I bounced off redline today in 2nd as I was getting on the hwy. Thought I messed something up.

Sounds like essentially the vehicle protects itself once I hit redline.

 

What typically happens is the ECU cuts the spark to the cylinder(s) once redline is reached.

If you have ever driven a vehicle that has a bad coil in one cylinder, that cylinder is essentially dead, and a vibration results. The ECU does that just enough to bring you back from redline to protect the motor.

The problem is when pilots use the rev-limiter as their normal shift point. That is when an expensive re-build is not far away

So, don't be "that guy", . . . . learn when and how to shift properly, and you will avoid a potentially very expensive and embarrassing lesson.

Not only will I say I told you so, but I will likely be the first one to berate, derogate, and completely disrespect you in all your future postings!

God Bless,

 

Agreed.