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(502) 203-0454 for Bashford Ave or (502) 230-4279 for the Preston Hwy location | 3435 Bashford Ave Ct Louisville, KY 40218

AUTONET TV

Tacky or Techie? The Tachometer.

Posted July 26, 2020 12:51 PM

There's a gauge that many vehicles have that says RPM on it.  And there are a lot of people who either don't pay any attention to it or don't even know what it is. Here's why it's a good gauge to know about.

It's called a tachometer, and that "RPM" label means it is measuring how many revolutions per minute (RPM) the engine is turning.  Automotive experts know that a vehicle's engine can be damaged if it turns too fast (revving too high) or too slowly ("lugging" the engine).

A tachometer (sometimes called a tach) is almost a "must-have" gauge for vehicles with a manual transmission; the driver has to manually change gears; the tach helps the driver know when revolutions are in the optimal range.

Some say you don't need a tachometer if you drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission. It's true that most drivers of automatics don't even look at it.  But there are times when paying attention to the tach can help you prevent an expensive repair.

Here's a good example.  Manufacturers now build many of their automatic transmission vehicles with shift paddles.  They let you shift gears without a clutch. That's manual shifting, and drivers need to know they're not revving the engine too high. That's where the tachometer comes in, since it shows you visually when you are in the red zone (RPM too high).

Here's another way the tach can help you: fuel economy. Generally speaking, the lower the RPM, the better the fuel economy. It's not good to go too low, of course, and the tachometer will help you find that spot of maximum efficiency.

You can also spot problems by paying attention to the tach.  When your vehicle stays in first gear longer than usual (higher reading on the tach), then the RPM dip lower than usual after shifting, it may be that your vehicle's transmission is skipping a gear.  Plus, if your vehicle's RPM go up but your speed doesn't, it could mean your transmission is slipping.  Either situation should be checked by a trained technician.

If your commute takes you down some long grades, you might like to put your vehicle in a lower gear to help slow down the car (and not burn up the brakes). Having a tachometer keeps tabs on when your engine is revving too high.

So, consider the tachometer a "bonus" gauge.  It's one more helpful assistant that can help you spot and prevent problems in your vehicle.

American Brake Centers Inc.
3435 Bashford Ave Ct.
Louisville, KY 40218
502-459-0355



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Just want to give a shoutout to American Brake Centers Inc - Preston Hwy. I needed new brakes and rotors, and took my car to a different company for an estimate — they were going to charge me over $1200 for new front brakes, rotors, and left front caliper. I called American Brake Center for a quote, they would charge half of that - but wanted to make sure I actually needed a new caliper instead of taking the other shop’s word for it. Scott at American Brake Center got me in and out super fast, and also ordered some new front tires for me after pointing out how bad my tread was looking (I had been tire shopping) - even with the new front tires, I was still paying $400 less than what I would have paid for brakes/rotors/caliper at the other place. Highly recommend this place! You can also stop at Sichuan House for lunch or dinner on your way home 😉

, 01/24/2025

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They fixed my old-school truck emergency brakes! Nice people. I'll confine to return.

, 01/07/2025

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Our family has been using American for several years and Bill plus his team have always taken excellent care of our cars. Their service is done expediently and with precision while only factoring in the best cost for us. Having to mechanically maintain six different cars for all of us would be impossible without them. If a pretty daunting out there to find such a place when your vehicle needs work so we would like to recommend you go see them.

, 12/13/2024

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Excellent experience! First time customer. Went in for brakes. Job was completed as agreed on and was a fair price. Would recommend!

, 10/23/2024

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Got excellent service yesterday on my '17 Ford Escape. Could not ask for friendlier or more professional help with an ABS problem. Diagnosed and repaired same day. Highly recommend.

, 10/17/2024

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Amazing service both for my fleet and personal vehicles

, 10/15/2024

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