TachometerSpain

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.


116. Tachometer

A tachometer is an instrument that shows the rotational speed of an engine or motor, usually measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). It is commonly displayed on the vehicle's instrument panel near the speedometer.

A tachometer helps the driver understand how fast the engine is rotating and can assist with selecting an appropriate gear in vehicles with a manual transmission. It measures engine speed rather than the vehicle's road speed.

Tachometer in a Mazda RX-8.
Wikimedia.org • メルビル • CC BY-SA
What is a tachometer?

A tachometer is an instrument that measures and displays the rotational speed of an engine or motor, usually in revolutions per minute.

What does RPM mean on a tachometer?

RPM means revolutions per minute and indicates how many complete rotations the engine's crankshaft makes in one minute.

Is a tachometer the same as a speedometer?

No. A tachometer shows engine rotational speed, while a speedometer shows the vehicle's road speed.

1 Spain 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Zone 5 Speed limit 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian warning 8 Tunnel 9 Toll road 10 Quay 11 Slope 12 Dead end 13 Stop sign 14 Give way 15 Roundabout 16 Road narrowing 17 Pedestrian crossing 18 Railway crossing 19 School area 20 Overtaking 21 Crossing animals 22 Slippery road 23 Rockfall 24 Curve 25 Roadworks 26 Height limit 27 Selective barriers 28 Traffic lights 29 Traffic lights warning 30 Pedestrian lights 31 Driving licence 32 Location marker 33 Countdown markers 34 Traffic mirror 35 International border 36 Pedestrian underpass 37 Cycling route 38 Parking 39 No parking 40 Disabled parking 41 Reversing 42 Provisional licence 43 City limit 44 Licence plate 45 Charging station 46 Dangers 47 Pedestrian 48 Cyclist 49 Bus 50 Police 51 Ambulance 52 European emission standard 53 Pothole 54 Path 55 Particulates 56 Air pollution 57 Rush hour 58 Road code 59 Street gutter 60 Road debris 61 Cargo bike 62 Forestry vehicle 63 Construction vehicle 64 Semi-trailer truck 65 Trolleybus 66 Speed pedelec 67 Delivery vehicle 68 Idling 69 Tow truck 70 Four-wheel drive 71 No vehicles 72 Bicycle 73 Motorcycle equipment 74 Tram 75 Rail track 76 Caravan 77 Trailer 78 Tow hitch 79 Fire truck 80 Siren 81 Convoy 82 Emergency vehicle lighting 83 Agricultural machinery 84 Electric bicycle 85 Electric vehicle 86 Pedelec 87 Quadricycle 88 Microcar 89 All-terrain vehicle 90 Van 91 Recreational vehicle 92 Scooter 93 Trikke 94 Personal mobility device 95 Skateboard 96 Segway 97 Kick scooter 98 Roller skates 99 Mailman 100 Hitchhiker ... 101 Toddler 102 Child 103 Adult 104 Disability 105 Motorail 106 km/h 107 mph 108 Speedometer 109 Ride height 110 Dirt road 111 Driving 112 Start-stop system 113 Manual transmission 114 Automatic transmission 115 Throttle 116 Tachometer 117 Steering wheel 118 Power steering 119 Visual scanning 120 Mirror 121 Fuel 122 Fuel gauge 123 Petrol 124 Diesel 125 Diesel exhaust fluid 126 Car insurance 127 First aid kit 128 Fire extinguisher 129 High-visibility clothing 130 First aid 131 Concrete step barrier 132 Barriers 133 Manoeuvres 134 Vehicle lights 135 Street lights 136 Dipped beam 137 High beam 138 Fog lights 139 Front fog lights 140 Rear fog lights 141 Side lights 142 Turn signals 143 Hazard lights 144 Dashboard lights 145 Bicycle lighting 146 Bicycle bell 147 Headlight flashing 148 Seat belt 149 Child restraints 150 Head restraints 151 Airbag 152 ABS 153 Esp 154 Traction control system 155 Helmet 156 Bicycle helmet 157 Hands-free 158 Smartphone 159 GPS 160 Brake 161 Handbrake 162 Brake fluid 163 Tyres 164 Tyre code 165 Winter tyres 166 Tyre pressure 167 Snow chains 168 Bicycle tyre 169 Continuous track 170 Gross Vehicle Weight 171 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 172 Cargo 173 Car body 174 Trunk 175 Roof rack 176 Windscreen 177 Emergency hammer 178 Car battery 179 Traction battery 180 Suspension 181 Shock absorber 182 Spring 183 Exhaust 184 Exhaust gas 185 Soot 186 Catalytic converter 187 Engine 188 Petrol engine 189 Diesel engine 190 Electric motor 191 Timing belt 192 Glow plug 193 Cylinder 194 Engine oil 195 Coolant 196 Maintenance 197 Spare tyre 198 Flat tyre 199 Jack 200 Vehicle inspection 201 Key 202 Dashboard 203 Windscreen wiper 204 Doors 205 Glovebox 206 Visibility 207 Rain 208 Fog 209 Hail 210 Sunlight 211 Sunglasses 212 Salt 213 Air conditioning 214 Hydroplaning 215 Distraction 216 Emotions 217 Road rage 218 Health 219 Epilepsy 220 Night blindness 221 Visual impairment 222 Fatigue 223 Defects 224 Traffic violation 225 Alcohol 226 Alcohol control 227 Ignition interlock device 228 Breath test 229 Breath analysis 230 Blood alcohol content 231 Blood test 232 Saliva test 233 Drugs 234 Medication 235 Penalties 236 Speeding 237 Smoking 238 Traffic enforcement camera 239 Double curve 240 Accident 241 Injuries 242 Nosebleed 243 Damage 244 Breakdown 245 Warning triangle 246 Traffic rules 247 Driving school 248 Traffic signs