If you do it once or twice by accident then you're not going to do it harm. The engine can go past the std. rev limit in standard form ok - think about what people do when they tune thier cars up... Also, bear in mind the instruments on your dash aren't 100% accurate.

i accedently did this the other day too. but i was tanking it a fair bit was in one of those moods. went 3rd to 2nd at about 80mhp. cacked it changed to fifth and the rev needle was parallel to 3.5k but past 7 opps:mad:

if its still running, keep running it...

If your paranoid.... check rod bolts, bottom end etc.... :/

As Rob said, revs will shoot straight past the limit if you downshift into say 2nd at 70mph. The rev limiter only works going up the rev range.

If it sounds and drives ok, you've been lucky.
A few more seconds and it could have destroyed your engine.

[Edited on 25-11-2006 by Vaux Lad]

hi well it would have been in second gear for about 2-3 secs tops i changed back into fifth asap it runs fine and it didn't cut out on me i guess im just worrying about nothing.

The rev limiter won't limit the revs if you are using the cars momentum to turn the engine. You can do damage this way.

http://corsasport.co.uk/board/viewthread.php?tid=158281

hi the other day i was going about 65mph in my corsa in 5th and i accidently changed into second gear instead of fourth which was kinda embrassing cuz obviously i lunged forward i quickly changed back into 5th but i did notice the rev needle was past the limiter if you get me could i have done any damage? or would it still just have hit the rev limiter same as usual?