The waterboxer redline is about 5400. The ECU cuts out to prevent
damage. I have bounced off the cut out point many times. I wouldn't
worry about what you did to the engine just one time and still below
redline. You can cause damage downshifting on steep down grades because
the weight of the vehicle can cause the engine to exceed the cut out
rpm. The ECU can't stop that. I don't drive anywhere near the redline on
sustained uphills, just in brief passing situations. These engine rev
fine and more harm is done lugging them than reving them IMHO.

Mark

Ed Lloyd wrote:
> I am worried that I might have caused some damage by doing another “Dumb thing to do with a Vanagon.”
>
> Just back from 700 mile trip to Johnstown, Pa, where I came down a steep, narrow, winding road, and used 2nd gear (automatic trans) to stay slow and avoid wearing down the brakes.
> At the bottom, a detour, confusing roads, traffic lights, never been there before, and I forgot to upshift to “Drive.”
>............
> A glance down at the instrument panel to check for the “red blinking light”, which I do frequently, and I am alarmed to see 4500 on the Tach!