Whenever you press down on that accelerator in your car, you see that small needle going up, then coming down and stabilizing at a point. We are not talking about the speedometer; we are talking about the other gauge on the other side of your instrument cluster on the dashboard. This RPM gauge or meter shows you the engine’s revolutions per minute.
The RPM needle moves up to a point when you accelerate the vehicle. If you are regularly driving, you must be aware of the red line on the RPM meter. Crossing this line is inevitable, but doing so regularly can cause serious damage to your car engine.
Know More About The RPMÂ
When you press down the accelerator, the engine’s power increases to help the engine go faster, and the RPM also increases. The engine doesn’t need to produce the maximum power when the RPM is high; it only means the revolutions per minute by the engine are increasing or at their highest.
A good driver knows you are not supposed to let that RPM needle go too high. The meter has a red line, and when the needle moves beyond this red line, it is a warning not to push the engine too much. Pushing the engine past this red line repeatedly will lead to serious damages to the engine.
If you drive an automatic transmission, you don’t have to worry about this, as the car engine is designed to change gears before the RPM can reach that warning point. On the other hand, if you are driving a manual transmission and are not a smooth driver, you may need to be more cautious about the needle inching above the red line frequently.
Many new cars come with a rev limiter which prevents the engine from crossing that red line. However, it is completely in the driver’s control to prevent the engine from revving up so much in case of a disturbance on the road. The driver must have enough skill to recover fast and shift the gear in case of a disruption.
Common Causes Of Car RPM Fluctuations
Now that you know the RP can go up and even cross the red warning line if the driver revs the engine too much, can the RPM fluctuate? Yes, it is possible. If you are a good driver who absorbs the various meters on the dashboard in addition to paying attention to the road, you may notice when your RPM meter fluctuates.
The RPM may fluctuate despite you driving at the same speed constantly. The RPM must go up when you press down the accelerator, but if it fluctuates despite you maintaining your speed, the following could be the possible reasons:
1. Problem With The Idle Air Control Valve
Your car has something called the IAC – Idle Air Control valve. When your car is idling, this valve controls the quality of air supplied to the engine. If there is a problem with this valve, your engine will not get a steady flow of quality air when idling or starting the engine.
There is another component called the ECU, which regulates the airflow to the engine electronically. Both IAC and the ECU need to communicate smoothly for a smooth driving experience. When they don’t communicate properly, your RPM can be seen fluctuating. You may need to just clean or completely replace your IAC, based on the issue.
2. Leaky Vacuum
The air supplied to the engine goes through a vacuum. If there is a leak in this vacuum, it can interrupt the airflow to the engine, resulting in an RPM fluctuation. A leaky vacuum can lead to –
- Check light turning on
- Hissing noise when you start the car
- An interruption in the exhaust system
- Low fuel efficiency
- Rough idling
- Car stalling
You need to check and fix this issue right away. Not attending to a vacuum leak can cause a lot of damage to the car engine and is dangerous. You cannot drive around with a vacuum leak.
3. Old Spark Plugs
If your spark plugs responsible for firing the fuel are old or worn out, it can cause the RPM to fluctuate. When the fuel within the piston does not fire properly and continuously, there will be a slug when you try to floor down that pedal and accelerate. Your engine will try to rev but will not be getting the right amount of power, thus causing the RPM to go up and down.
Some of the indicators that your spark plug or ignition coils might be at fault are:
- Engine misfires
- Poor mileage or fuel economy
- Strong vibration when you drive
If you notice any issues with the spark plug, it has to be changed immediately. You cannot drive with a faulty spark plug as it will not only cause the RPM to fluctuate or damage the engine but is potentially very dangerous too.
4. Throttle Pedal Fault
If your Throttle Pedal Position Sensor is malfunctioning, it can result in your engine accelerating on its own without you pressing down on that pedal. So, you may not be pressing down on that pedal, but it could be accelerating on its own, resulting in an RPM movement.
5. Unclean Fuel Injectors
Over time the fuel injectors get coated with dirt and grime. When you try to accelerate your vehicle, be it from a stop or when the car is idling, the acceleration will not be smooth, thus leading to an RPM fluctuation. Your vehicle will suffer from poor fuel efficiency if this issue is not fixed.
6. Issue With Transmission
If there is a leak in the transmission fuel, it will cause the torque converter or the gearbox band to slip. Your engine will start revving at higher RPMs, causing a fluctuation. If you continue driving your vehicle without sorting out this issue, it will cause damage to your transmission.
Conclusion
If you notice your RPM fluctuating while driving, it is a strong indication of a problem within the main components of the car mechanism. They are small but need to be fixed immediately for your safety and engine life.
