Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) indicates number of rotations per minute taken by engine’s crankshaft. Normally in a specifc gear, speed of vehicle increases as the RPM rises. However you may face high RPM and low speed situation due to some complication.

RPM determines real time power and performance of your vehicle. Basically it shows instantaneous operational speed of the engine. It is provided in the information cluster. You can also understand RPM as how many times each piston moves up and down in its cylinder.

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High RPM And Low Speed

There are many reasons by which speed remains low even at higher RPM. You can optimize this problem if you diagnose the fault.

Causes of High RPM And Low Speed

We shall discuss one by one different causes of this problem below.

1. Faulty Air Control Valve

It allows more air into the cylinder, due to this fuel injectors remain open for longer to compensate. It results in higher RPM. If it occurs only during engine starting, it is normal. However on the way if speed remains low even at higher RPM it is a fault.

2. Vaccum Leak Results High RPM And Low Speed

Vaccum leak creates uneven air fuel mixture ratio. It results in reduced power efficiency. The car remians at higher RPMs but you may feel sluggish.

3. Defective Fuel Pump

It furnishes excessive fuel to the engine combustion chamber. RPMs fluctuate and effects power delivery. You push accelerator pedal, RPM increases but you may not attain desired speed.

4. Dirty Fuel Injectors

Dirty or broken fuel injectors are unable to provide required amount of fuel. It leads to fluctuating RPMs as the engine struggle to maintain. You may not achieve the desired speed at a specific RPM rate.

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6. Defective Timing Leads to High RPM And Low Speed

Engine power depends on the timing of valve opening and fuel injection. If it is not set as recommended, you will face reduced performance and fuel economy. RPMs jumping up and down. You will not attain certain speed even at high RPM.

5. Clogged Air Filter

Do you want to know the imporatnce of a clean air filter? Just compare it to your lungs. Overtime air filter gets clogegd due to dust, debris and other contaminants in the passing air. Entry of irregular air flow results in fluctuationg RPMs. You may face trouble in accelerating car or even at starting.

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6. Transmission Complications

Transmission fluid lubricates the whole transmission arrangement. It cools down the setup by lowering friction and avoiding corrosion. This is very serious issue for automatic transmission vehicles if it leaks. You may notice it by erratic behaviour of gear changes interval. It leads to high RPM and low speed.

7. Bad Oxygen Sensor

Coolant leakage and gasoline additives are major causes which leads to bad oxygen sensor. It results in improper air fuel mixture. A defective oxygen sensor strike its ability to behave with surplus oxygen in the exhaust gas. It results in improper air fuel ratio due to misaligned ECU.

8. Spark Plug Issues: High RPM And Low Speed

Bad spark plugs lead to poor fuel economy and emissions due to incomplete combustion. You may feel sluggish acceleration behaviour even at higher RPMs. Accelerator pedal not responds as you desire.