why a gas car engine’s optimal range is often between 2000 to 3000 RPM even though they can go lower and up to ~8000 RPM ?

Question

why a gas car engine’s optimal range is often between 2000 to 3000 RPM even though they can go lower and up to ~8000 RPM ?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

As rpms go up, torq will drop off but hp will go up longer. Torq gets you moving, hp keeps you moving. But in stop and go traffic youre constantly shifting. So you go past the most powerful rpm before shifting so when the next gear comes in youre close to that point and the engine doesnt lug and blow a valve seal but maintains a higher level of efficiency in fuel use and wear as it travels through the gears.