How Well Do You Know What Powers Your Car?

Most cars use inline piston engines where pistons move up and down in cylinders.

Spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture with an electric spark in gasoline engines.

The timing belt ensures that the camshaft and crankshaft rotate in sync to open/close the valves at the right times.

Pistons compress and ignite the air-fuel mixture, creating force that turns the crankshaft, generating mechanical energy.

The crankshaft transforms the up-and-down motion of the pistons into rotational motion to drive the wheels.

Engine displacement refers to the total volume swept by all pistons inside the cylinders and is measured in cc or liters.

The oil pump circulates engine oil to lubricate moving parts and reduce friction.

Compression increases the pressure and temperature of the air/fuel mixture before ignition.

A catalytic converter converts harmful exhaust gases into less harmful emissions.

The intake manifold evenly distributes the air/fuel mixture to each cylinder.

The ECU acts as the car’s brain, managing fuel injection, ignition timing, and other engine parameters.

Engine knock happens when fuel ignites too early in the combustion chamber, creating a knocking sound and potential damage.

More air means more oxygen, allowing more fuel to burn and creating more power.

Variable valve timing adjusts the timing of valve openings to improve performance and efficiency at different engine speeds.

Aluminum engines help improve fuel efficiency and cooling due to their light weight and better heat dissipation.