What can cause the RPMs to go super high while driving at one constant speed?

Today I was driving on the Interstate going 65mph and suddenly I felt a jerk in the truck and that's when my RPMs went all the way to 5.5 and so I let go of the gas and it went back down but as soon as slightly press on the gas the RPMs went back up . I started losing speed so I pulled over and stopped the car and saw NO lights on or anything unusual on the dash board. As I put it in drive and pressed the gas all the way the car would burly go then get some strength and go fine with the RPMs still pretty high. so I pulled over once again and turned off the truck for 10 minutes and then I t
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi There,
It sounds like you are describing the symptoms of a failing throttle position sensor. The throttle position sensor monitors the throttle position of the throttle plate inside the throttle body in relation to your foot position on the gas pedal. Based upon the inputs from the sensor reading your foot’s position on the pedal, the ECU then makes the direction to supply more or less fuel to the motor. When this sensor is not working properly, this can cause intermittent responses when pressing the gas pedal. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to you home to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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If the idle control system malfunctions, it may fail to regulate the engine`s idle speed properly, resulting in higher RPMs. This can be caused by a faulty idle air control valve (IACV), a malfunctioning throttle body, or a problem with the engine control unit (ECU) that controls the idle speed.
If your RPM starts fluctuating, there might be issues with the engine`s combustion process, a communication gap between the IAC and the ECU, or it can be a worn-out spark plug.
Vehicles with higher RPMs require more fuel, making the engine overwork. If your car has an internal problem that makes it idle higher, it might have a higher RPM that jumps when you try accelerating.
The main problem of revving high is the clutch slipping and the clutch needing replacement. As with the problem with the hoses collapsing, if it is a coolant hose, then the radiator cap vent is bad and the cap needs replaced. If the hose is something else, then it should be looked at by a mechanic to diagnose.
If the RPMs are too high, try dropping it down a gear. This can solve the problem quickly and easily. Depending on what equipment the engine is hooked up to, you may be able to control the RPMs with gears. If the RPMs are too high, try dropping it down a gear.
Improperly functioning spark plugs cause an uneven burn of fuel in the engine, resulting in fluctuating RPMs and a louder noise. You might also experience increased vibrations of your vehicle while sitting idle or while traveling at low speeds.
Wondering what RPM should a car drive at when on a highway? There is no single RPM that is considered “normal” when cruising on a highway. To reduce wear and tear to the engine and ensure you get maximum fuel efficiency, it`s best to stay in the 2000-3000 RPM range when driving on a highway at 60-70 mph.
If your gears are slipping, it`s a clear sign your car`s running low on transmission fluid. When experiencing sudden up and down shifts, high RPMs right before shifting, or erratic shifting, seek assistance from your local service center to prevent your transmission from overheating or becoming damaged.
Lower piston speeds means less stress on the connecting rods and crankshaft as well as acceptable flame propagation speeds, allowing the engine to rev even higher. Also, by having a wider bore, you can have larger intake and exhaust valves, leading to better airflow at high RPM.
The engine`s oxygen sensor will detect the extra oxygen entering the engine via the vacuum leak which will alert the engine`s computer that the exhaust is running lean, which will prompt the computer to pump in additional fuel, resulting in an abnormally high idle.
High RPM – Idle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). For most 2 liter and below sized engines the vehicles, the standard idle speed should be around 750 RPM (when the engine is warm). If your car`s RPM is above 900 with a warm engine while idling, it is likely using too much fuel.
Car engine rpm increases as you press the accelerator, as does power — at least to a point. An engine doesn`t necessarily produce its maximum power at its highest rpm. Engine specifications typically present the peak horsepower figure followed by the rpm at which it occurs, such as 252 hp at 5,600 rpm.
Most cars should idle between 600 RPM and 1,000 RPM. Cars that idle below 600 RPM or above 1,000 RPM may have a mechanical issue that you need to address. Additionally, if the RPM jumps around when idling, this also may be a sign of a bigger problem.
Monitor RPMs when idle

If the needle is steady, this indicates your engine is running properly. If the needle drops by a few hundred or shoots above 1,000 RPM when the engine is warm, your engine may have a problem. You should have it checked by a professional.

You can check to see if you have faulty wiring by using a voltmeter. Keep your engine idling and then test the wires with the voltmeter to see if there are any inconsistencies. Your mechanic can easily perform this test for you. If the wires are fine, then the gauge itself might be damaged and may need to be replaced.
Simply, RPM stands for revolutions per minute (or revs per minute) and this significant gauge tells the driver how fast the engine is spinning. A typical engine rev-range is from an idle of between 500 and 1000rpm, and a maximum speed of about 6000 to 7000rpm.
“There`s a point at 7,000 RPMs where everything fades. The machine becomes weightless. It disappears. All that`s left, a body moving through space, and time.
The maximum RPM of an engine is limited to the airflow through the engine, the displacement of the engine, the mass and balance of the rotating parts, along with the bore and stroke of the pistons.
4000 rpm is no problem, high rpm can wear down on the head where the camshaft rotates but that`s no really a problem until you get near 7000 rpm.
The ideal RPM for any vehicle is 1500 RPM to 3000 RPM. In this range, you can save up on a lot of fuel by driving efficiently.
At times, you may find your car`s RPMs high. RPM stands for Revolutions Per Minute. When this happens, your engine may start shaking and produce loud sounds. Unfortunately, these sounds also indicate a missing in your engine and can result in engine failure if you continue to drive your car with such a missing.
Most of the time this is caused by either a vacuum leak or a dirty throttle body. I would then check the throttle body and clean it if needed. This is probably the most common problem.
your car surges and dies out: a faulty map sensor can cause engine rpm to fluctuate or surge, primarily at idle or low speeds. if you turn on the air conditioning or use the power steering when the happens, the engine can die out. it will usually restart, but this condition will worsen and can be dangerous.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

What can cause the RPMs to go super high while driving at one constant speed?
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you are describing the symptoms of a failing throttle position sensor. The throttle position sensor monitors the throttle position of the throttle plate inside the throttle body in relation to your foot position on the gas pedal. Based upon the inputs from the sensor reading your foot’s position on the pedal, the ECU then makes the direction to supply more or less fuel to the motor. When this sensor is not working properly, this can cause intermittent responses when pressing the gas pedal. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to you home to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

Leaving stop light car runs high rpms 5000-6000 and doesn’t want to go over 20 mph 2009 Chevy Traverse
ANSWER : Hi there – first thing to check is the transmission fluid level – low fluid levels can cause lots of problems like this – your transmission is obviously slipping badly. If the fluid is at a correct level, and doesn’t smell burned, you may well have burned out clutches in the transmission, or solenoid or valve problems in the valve body of the transmission. The problem codes reviewed by your mechanic should have helped guide the diagnosis. I would recommend a 2nd opinion transmission inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

when driving speed slow down and resume to speed it begins to jerk i have to put in over drive to resume speed especially on hiway
ANSWER : You should have the vehicle scanned. The data from the speed sensor needs to be checked to see if the transmission or engine is the cause of the jerking. You may have a transmission solenoid that’s not shifting correctly, an engine misfire, or a sensor malfunction. Have a certified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, scan and test your vehicle for you to properly diagnose the car’s jerking symptom.

Lexus96 es 300 idles high but drops okay going into drive it idles back up then drops then go into drive while holdn brake pedal
ANSWER : This may be a sign of a faulty MAP sensor as the vehicle responds adversely to a load put on the motor (i.e. putting it in gear). The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor senses engine load and generates a signal that is proportional to the amount of vacuum in the intake manifold. The engine computer then uses this information to adjust ignition timing and fuel enrichment. When the engine is working hard, intake vacuum drops as the throttle opens wide. The engine takes in more air, which requires more fuel to keep the air/fuel ratio in balance. When the computer reads a heavy load signal from the [MAP sensor]((https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/manifold-absolute-pressure-sensor-map-sensor-replacement), it adjusts the fuel mixture to slightly more rich than normal so the engine can produce more power. The computer will then retard (back off) ignition timing slightly to prevent detonation that can damage the engine and decrease performance. This may also be caused by other closely related components such as a dirty or failing mass air-flow sensor, a faulty throttle position sensor or potentially a vacuum leak. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

If you was hooking up a OEM cooling fan that has only 2 wires and one speed but my car has a high and low speed, what wires would you hook up?
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the high and low circuits with a digital meter for a voltage reading. The low should have a lower voltage reading than the high. I recommend putting the wires on the high selection to prevent the engine from overheating at any time. If you need further assistance with hooking up your radiator fan motor, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Transmission shift hard after high speed driving but shifts normal after engine is off for a while.
ANSWER : Hi there. Transmission fluid should be flushed every 50,000 miles to help avoid issues like you are experiencing. So, it’s probably a good idea to have your transmission fluid flushed and filter replaced, as the obstruction of debris or worn out fluid can cause the hard to shift issue you’re experiencing.

my corrola, while driving suddenly slows down, specially while driving at a 120 kms speed suddenly the speeds slow down and the pu
ANSWER : If you are driving at 120 mph, it is possible that your vehicle is hitting the speed governer. This speed governer will prevent the vehicle from going past a certain speed by limiting engine power and reducing rpms. Not all vehicles are set to the same speed. The speed is usually determined by the speed rating of the tires that the vehicle came with from the factory. This is to prevent vehicles from driving at speeds faster than the tires allow even if they have enough power to do so.

How do I manually shift between rear-wheel drive high range (2H) and four-wheel drive high range (4H)?
ANSWER : You can shift between rear-wheel drive high range (2H) and four-wheel drive high range (4H) while you are driving your car. Here’s how.

Make sure your vehicle is not exceeding 55 mph.
Shift the transfer case shifter from 2H to 4H, or vice versa.
After making the shift, let your foot off of the gas pedal for a few seconds.