Rising to the flame - lugging.

[Adrian North <anorth@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Try this: Get out your bike (as in pedal)
Ride along a flat bit and get into top gear.
Then try cycling up a hill (without changing gear).

This is a pretty good example of why it's bad - your engine can't decide
that it can't pull. You'll end up twisting something in the driveline.
Really just common sense!
Just an idea - I'm sure there's some mechanical engineers out there
who'll give the whole theory of torque and twisting moments a blast on
this one!

Adrian
'85 316

PS I've never heard it called 'lugging' before - just bad driving.


	Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1998 12:01:44 -0400
	From: Bruce Augenstein <Bruce.Augenstein@domain.elided>
	Subject: Today's Flame Topic: Why is lugging bad?

	Lugging: Operating an engine below its "normal" range under
load, so that it
	demonstrates general signs of discomfort through noise,
vibration,
	harshness, and a general unwillingness to accelerate the vehicle
in an
	acceptable manner.

	(Insert picture and sound track here of any Corvette in sixth
gear at 30
	mph, trying to accelerate up a hill.)

Or any Fiat Panda in first gear on downhill bit! :)

	Lugging is supposed to be "bad" for your engine. For purposes of
	conversation (and short of prolonged detonation in a vehicle
without knock
	sensors), I say that it isn't - it's only bad for your teeth and
jaw muscles
	if you are in the vehicle.

	Prove me wrong.

	No fair saying "It'll burn your valves!" or some such, unless
you're willing
	to describe just why and how lugging does this, or any other bad
thing.

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