Most vehicles have a speedometer and a rev counter for the driver to not only tell how fast they are driving, but also how many revolutions per minute (RPM) the engine is doing.
Drivers often ignore their RPM gauge, but it’s actually important to keep an eye on it, as this indicator will tell you whether the engine is working efficiently or whether there may be something wrong.
In a brand new car or an engine that’s just started, it’s generally a good idea to avoid going into the red of your dial’s RPM levels.
If a wailing noise from your engine isn’t already telling you something isn’t right, you can usually tell that you’re pushing your engine to its limits if you see the rev counter hitting the red. Do this regularly and you’ll soon need to take the car in for repairs.
High RPM levels also mean the car is using more fuel, another reason why it is better and more efficient to keep within the limits. It will save you money, save emissions and protect the engine overall.
Some vehicles will even go further and indicate to the driver if they need to be going up or down a gear. – dpa
