Vehicle's RPM do not match speed. Why?

[Psinter]

I've been observing cars RPM and noticed that automatic transmission American cars reach 60 mph at 2250 RPM while automatic transmission Japanese cars reach 60mph at 2500RPM.

Why is that? Like, what determines RPMs? The rotation from what is being measured?

 

[Integral]

The only thing more surprising the transmissions being different is if they were all the same. I would suppose the automotive engineers select or design a transmission that provides the power transfer ratios that match the engine to be used.

 

[boneh3ad]

The tachometer measures the RPMs of the engine, which will absolutely have a different relationship with the car's speed depending on the engine, transmission, or even size of the tires.

 

[SteamKing]

The speed at which the engine turns and the speed at which the driving wheels turn is related by the combination of gear ratio in the transmission and the gear ration in the differential. Gear ratios in the differential generally fall in the range of about 2.5:1 to 3.5:1, but they can range as high as 4.5:1 for cars designed for quick acceleration without regard to fuel economy.

The purpose of the transmission is to keep the engine operating at a band of RPMs where it is most fuel efficient. When the transmission shifts into its drive configuration, the gear ratio thru the transmission is 1:1, but with overdrive transmissions, this ratio could be as low as 0.8:1. Different cars have different engines, transmissions, and final drive gear ratios, which is why the engines do not turn at the same RPM for the same road speed.

 

[cjl]

I've been observing cars RPM and noticed that automatic transmission American cars reach 60 mph at 2250 RPM while automatic transmission Japanese cars reach 60mph at 2500RPM.

Why is that? Like, what determines RPMs? The rotation from what is being measured?

There's probably quite a bit more spread even than that - some cars might be doing less than 2000rpm at 60mph (especially high performance cars with big engines), while others might be doing over 3000rpm at 60 (cars with relatively small engines for example). It's not really a matter of where the car was made/designed, it's more just a design tradeoff depending on the engine and the desired characteristics of the car.

 

[Psinter]

The speed at which the engine turns and the speed at which the driving wheels turn is related by the combination of gear ratio in the transmission and the gear ration in the differential. Gear ratios in the differential generally fall in the range of about 2.5:1 to 3.5:1, but they can range as high as 4.5:1 for cars designed for quick acceleration without regard to fuel economy.

The purpose of the transmission is to keep the engine operating at a band of RPMs where it is most fuel efficient. When the transmission shifts into its drive configuration, the gear ratio thru the transmission is 1:1, but with overdrive transmissions, this ratio could be as low as 0.8:1. Different cars have different engines, transmissions, and final drive gear ratios, which is why the engines do not turn at the same RPM for the same road speed.

Thanks, this clears it up.

There's probably quite a bit more spread even than that - some cars might be doing less than 2000rpm at 60mph (especially high performance cars with big engines), while others might be doing over 3000rpm at 60 (cars with relatively small engines for example). It's not really a matter of where the car was made/designed, it's more just a design tradeoff depending on the engine and the desired characteristics of the car.

< than 2000 at 60??! I would love to have a vehicle like that. :!)

 

[russ_watters]

< than 2000 at 60??! I would love to have a vehicle like that. :!)

Get a diesel or a truck. Heck, my Kia Optima is at 2000 rpm at 70 mph. Not sure why you would care, though; it doesn't really mean anything.

 

[Psinter]

Get a diesel or a truck. Heck, my Kia Optima is at 2000 rpm at 70 mph. Not sure why you would care, though; it doesn't really mean anything.

I should do that then. I'm assuming less RPM means more silence, but I may be wrong. It does mean something to me if it makes less sound. I like silent vehicles.

 

[xxChrisxx]

You certainly don't want a diesel then.
Quiet = refinement = expense.
Turn the radio up and have done.

Also depends what you mean by quiet, at 60mph cruise combustion noise has a decent amount of masking from road and wind noise.

 

[rcgldr]

< than 2000 at 60 mph

2006 -> 2013 Corvette Z06 7.0 liter engine - 1500 rpm at 70 mph in 6th gear. Dodge Viper, 8.0+ liter engines, maybe even lower. Don't know about the 2014 Corvettes, 6.2 liter engine, and now 7 speed manual tranny. There will be a 2015 Corvette Z06, but it will be more like the previous ZR1, using a 600+ hp supercharged 6.2 liter engine.