2011 - Typical RPM's at Cruising Speeds?

[jmcguckin]

So I've been following these forums for awhile and am finally taking the plunge to register and make my first post... Along those lines, I'm curious- for those of you who own the 2011 Corolla S, what RPM's do you typically see around highway cruising speeds? Here's what mine look like:

2400 - 2500rpm @55mph
2750rpm @65mph
3000rpm @75mph

I've had the chance to drive several cars recently (same class/engine size) that sat around the 2000 - 2200rpm range while cruising between 65 - 70mph, so the fact that my car runs at nearly 3000rpm in that same speed range has me wondering if this is normal (since it sounds like my car is constantly trying to get up to speed and never feels like it has any momentum, i.e. it doesn't want to keep cruising if I lift off the gas). It's been this way since I bought it nearly two years ago, so it's not like this has developed overnight.

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[Donabed Kopoian]

It's normal. Just how the gearing in the transmission is set up.

 

[Kev250R]

I agree with DK. My 2010 turns at about 3K when running 75-80. This is an auto tranny which could use another gear IMO Although all the high-revving doesn't seem to hurt these motors.

Kevin

 

[jmcguckin]

Glad to know this is normal (even if to my ears, it still sounds like the engine's working overly hard to keep the car moving at a constant speed)- thanks, guys!

 

[fishycomics]

I remember back in 80's my Corolla SR-5, RPM's were around 1800, why they had to keep changing Engines to think they can improve to a better one, as where they gotten far better mileage, than the todays Toyota? They changed the Transmission along the line to.

 

[jmcguckin]

why they had to keep changing Engines to think they can improve to a better one, as where they gotten far better mileage, than the todays Toyota?

That's what I'm wondering. I'd rather have a lower-revving engine with a fifth/overdrive gear and a little momentum than a higher-revving one that always feels/sounds like it's trying harder than necessary and seems to always want to slow down.