Abstract: A smart indicator for an engine, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the indicator includes a processing module and a display. The processing module receives a plurality of input parameter signals from various engine sensors. The input parameter signals are transformed by the processing module into values that can be displayed on the display. The display depicts at least the most relevant transformed value for controlling the engine and how this transformed value relates to an associated limit value for the engine such as, for example, a temperature limit value, a rotational speed limit value, or a torque limit value. In one embodiment, the input parameter signals are transformed by converting the input parameter signals to a plurality of digital values, subtracting an appropriate limit value for the engine from each digital value, dividing each resulting difference value by the appropriate limit value for the engine, and multiplying the resulting quotient value by a scaling value.