What Causes High RPM but Low Vehicle Speed?
2 Answers
High RPM but low vehicle speed is caused by clutch failure or the transmission not being properly engaged in gear. Below are detailed explanations of the specific causes: Clutch Failure: If the clutch disc is severely worn or the clutch pressure plate spring is damaged, it can prevent the full transfer of power (RPM), resulting in a mismatch between the engine's output power and the actual power delivered. Transmission Not Properly Engaged in Gear: If the transmission is not engaged in the correct gear (e.g., the gearshift lever is in the 5th gear position, but the transmission gears are only meshed in the 2nd gear position), this can also cause the issue, known as gear misalignment. Typically, this problem may also be accompanied by difficulties engaging reverse gear.
Last time I was driving my old manual transmission car, I ran into this damn issue where the RPMs were skyrocketing but the speed just wouldn't budge. Turned out the clutch disc was completely worn out and slipping badly, so the power couldn't reach the wheels. The mechanic said these are consumable parts, especially with all the stop-and-go city driving where you're constantly riding the clutch - they need replacing every 3-5 years. Another possibility is poor tire traction, either from bald treads or overinflated tires causing the wheels to spin uselessly. The worst-case scenario is the torque converter in the transmission - older cars often develop pressure leaks, and fixing that can drain your wallet. My advice? Get it checked at the first sign of trouble, don't wait until it completely breaks down.
