My short commute to work each day is through country roads, then city streets -- and the speed limit is 35mph for both. I drive in 3rd gear for the entire trip. Reason being that at 35-40mph, 4th gear puts the engine at about 1500rpm -- too low, causing the engine to lug. (35-40 mph in 3rd puts me at about 2300rpm)It is a commonly held belief by members of this forum -- myself included -- that bogging down the engine causes carbon buildup on the valves, resulting in the need for the tried and true "italian tuneup".
The "italian tuneup" works great at removing carbon buildup. But if I can do something to keep the carbon from building up in the first place, then I will.

Jeff Pierce

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Jeff Pierce

Current Vehicles:
'92 Mercedes 190E/2.3 (247K miles/my daily driver)
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (263K miles/a family truckster with spunk)
'99 Kawasaki Concours
Gravely 8120
Previous Vehicles:
'85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (226K miles)'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon
'53 Willys-Overland Pickup
'85 Honda 750F Interceptor
'93 Nissan Quest
'89 Toyota Camry Wagon
'89 Dodge Raider
'81 Honda CB 750F Super Sport
'88 Toyota Celica
'95 Toyota Tacoma
'74 Honda CB 550F