'07 Camry, 17000 miles in 8 months, ALWAYS driven in 4th gear at 75mph+

[ToyotaLexus]

I had to drop off my poor 07 Camry that was rear-ended badly.
Just as I suspected, the internal damage was pretty bad. (but that's
another thread...)

I asked my friend to pick me up in her '07 Camry. (so the bodyshop and
insurance adjustor can easily compare the two rear ends)

When I was sitting in her car, I noticed the engine noise seem to be louder.
We were on the freeway at about 70mph to 75mph. At first I thought it was
because she already put in 17000 miles since she bought(financed) it
8 months ago. (vs my Camry which was bought quite recently, not really
broken in yet)

Then I discovered that the engine sounded louder because it was
in 4th gear.

Apparently she always drive her '07 Camry with the gearshift in the 4th
gear position. She said she's been doing that since day one. As a matter
of fact, she has no idea what the difference is. She said her hand just
naturally shifts it from P to 4 in one smooth motion...

I told her she should always leave it in D, especially at 75mph....
That what I always believe...but am I correct? Could she have caused
any long-term engine and/or transmission damage after 17000 miles in 4th
gear? 90%+ of her driving are on the freeway, on long distance trips
(which is why her '07 Camry racked up 17000 miles in just 8 months)

Had she leased the Camry, I probably wouldn't care either way...

Thanks for any info....


(sure brought back memories.... when I was in high school a couple dozen years ago,
my girlfriend thought cars NEVER need to get oil changes... )

[JSM1284]

She is getting horrible gas mileage. Shouldnt have hurt anything, But did put more stress on the engine than it should have.

[TRD VVTi]

It didn't hurt anything.

It caused a slight bit more engine wear probably, but it didn't do any damage.

Remember, cars didn't used to have overdrive and they were just fine.

Don't sweat it. Now she knows.

[07XLE]

Originally Posted by TRD VVTi

Don't sweat it. Now she knows.

And knowing is half the battle, GO JOE!

[Eyekutr]

This is funny, she has the only Camry getting 20 mpg on the hwy LOL

[lammydi]

So maybe next time another noobie start a new thread about "I hate this Camry because I have such low mpg!!!" We should remember to ask "Are you driving in "D" or 4?" ha..ha..