More specifically, RPM is a measure of the speed of the crankshaft of your engine, not the wheels. Thus it is possible to blow your redline (the max RPM your engine is rated so sustain) and destroy your engine without leaving neutral. Most engines are built to be able to exceed redline for short periods of time.
Most cars nowadays have rev limiters that prevent exceeding the redline. However, a driver can bypass this by going fast in a high gear and then downshifting. Then change in gear ratio will cause the wheels to overrev the engine, which is why you cannot downshift to 1st gear unless you are basically not moving. So don't do this.
chevy_redneck8
2006-03-02 00:51:52 UTC
rpm-revolutions per minite how many times the #1 has combution occur & the rpm redline is the max # of times it can turn over in 1 minute or the redline is the max RPMs and the average varies but is very seldom 1000 at idea and all cars and trucksdo not have rev limiters
pitec2003
2006-03-01 21:38:39 UTC
RPM means Revolutions Per Minute. This is what your Ingine is doing, it is turning at a certian speed per minute. most cars idle at speeds of 1000 RPM caus this is normal range fore a car or truck.
RPM redline is when u are over reving the engine, this causes a LOT of problems can also blow a engine this way! All cars and trucks have rev limeters, this will kick in when u are reving the engine too high, or is at wideopen during a race will kick in and keep u from blowing your ride. If u are in the red u are asking froe trouble!
James D
2006-03-01 21:07:16 UTC
Using my limited mechanic knowledge, RPM stands for Revolutions Per Minute, which measures the speed of your engine--how fast it's turning. The "redline" on a tachometer, or RPM gauge, determines the maximum speed your engine can safely run.
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