Editing Redline (section)

{{Short description|Revving an internal combustion engine to its maximum speed}}
{{about|engine speed|}}
{{multiple issues|{{original research|date=April 2015}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2008}}}}
[[Image:Honda CBR 600 tachometer.jpg|thumb|[[Tachometer]] showing red lines above 14,000&nbsp;rpm.]]
The '''redline''' is the maximum engine [[rotational speed|speed]] at which an [[internal combustion engine]] or [[traction motor]] and its components are designed to operate without causing damage to the components themselves or other parts of the engine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a16581035/car-terms-defined/|title=Glossary of Car Terms|website=caranddriver.com|date=15 June 2009 }}</ref> The redline of an engine depends on various factors such as [[Stroke (engines)|stroke]], mass of the components, [[Engine displacement|displacement]], composition of components, and balance of components.

Redlining is riding or driving an automotive vehicle above the redline. The actual term ''redline'' comes from the red bars that are displayed on [[tachometer]]s in cars starting at the rpm that denotes the redline for the specific engine. Straying into this area usually does not mean instant engine failure, but may increase the chances of damaging the engine.