I live in a town where the speed limit is 25 everywhere. I drive to school or to get groceries a couple times a week. For the first two miles or so, the car is still cold. I actually drive about 25-28.

It's not a low friction engine, and it has some driveline wear (u-joints, maybe more).

I can cruise along at about 2500 rpm in 2nd, or about 1300 in 3rd. There are some small (20 ft. tall) hills. Which one is better for the car? Especially in terms of wear? Higher engine speed and a lower stress on the bearings and everything, or lower engine speed and less wear on the cylinder walls and everything else affected by light-weight oil with a cold engine?

It seems like the engine - especially the crank bearings- may bear the brunt of lower engine speeds, especially if I open the throttle more for the hills. Not so low it's lugging, but close.


I'm curious, but this is mostly academic. Please be civil :D
Happy bricking!