Newbie driver here, why do the rpms need to be higher when in low gear? Since its a lower gear shouldnt the rpms be low as well?

Question

My brain cant seem to grasp the concept behind this sorry

In: 0

Answer 1

Low gear means fewer rotations of the wheels for a rotation of the engine, which also means more rotations of the engine for a rotation of the wheels.

High gear means more rotations of the wheels for a rotation of the engine, which also means fewer rotations on the engine for a rotation of the wheels.

Rotation of the wheels is a multiple of your traveling speed because the wheels are rolling with the road.

The tachometer (thing showing rpm) is measuring rotations of the engine, so at a set speed (set wheel rotations) the numbers (rotations of the engine) will be higher in low gear.