RPM stands for revolutions per minute and is a unit used to describe the speed of a motor. It measures how many times the motors rotor shaft completes a full rotation each minute. In cars, RPM measures how many times the engines crankshaft makes one full rotation every minute, and along with it, how many times each piston goes up and down. RPM is an important factor associated with a cars performance, and it is utilized to calculate horsepower. The RPM speed of a DC motor depends on the voltage supplied to the motor, and the manufacturer of the motor will tell you the RPM you can expect at various voltages. To achieve the desired RPM, you can then adjust the voltage according to the guidelines. Using the RPM for gear change can save your engine and gearbox from damage and overheating, and change of speed feels smoother while driving if you correctly follow the RPM readings.