Which gauge on the instrument panel indicates the RPMs produced by the motor?

The gauge that indicates the RPMs (revolutions per minute) produced by the motor is the tachometer. This instrument provides vital information about the engine's performance by showing how fast the engine is running. Understanding the RPMs is important for several reasons; it helps the driver to shift gears at optimal times to ensure efficient operation of the vehicle and can prevent engine damage by avoiding excessive revving.

The tachometer is particularly essential in vehicles with manual transmissions, as it guides the driver in knowing when to shift gears. Maintaining proper RPM levels maximizes fuel efficiency and engine lifespan. The other gauges mentioned serve different purposes: the thermometer measures engine temperature, the odometer tracks the total distance traveled by the vehicle, and the speedometer displays the vehicle's current speed. Each of these gauges plays a specific role but does not provide information about engine RPMs specifically like the tachometer does.