Ask Eric: Questions & Answers

February 15, 2010 – submitted by Ravindra Papineni of Austin, TX

Question: On the automobile dashboard consoles we have the RPM dial placed next to the speedometer dial with the same importance and size. An average user rarely checks it in the daily commute, during the life cycle of ownership. (I have not glanced at it in the last 25 years of my driving, over 9 cars). I take it that manufacturers put it there for a reason but the real life use is close to zero. I understand this may not be our subject here but the more I dig into usability problems the more I find these things around me. I would like to hear your take on this one.

Eric's response: The RPM gauge is for the racing driver to keep the engine within limits. They drive monitoring the RPM. But unless you drive really aggressively it won't matter to you at all. So why have it?

The car companies are building on the association with racing drivers. Very powerful and fun cars have RPM gauges! That is a useful message in the sales environment.

Also, it can give a sense that you are more connected with the inner workings of the car. Again, it is about fun, but not really useful. You can watch the motor speed change, a bit like some Swiss watches have windows so you can watch the gears move. Your time keeping performance is not improved. It might even be degraded! But... well, it is nice. And there is real value to a nice user experience.