How Car Engines Work

The Internal Combustion Engine

The internal combustion engine is the most common type of engine used in cars. It works by burning fuel in a cylinder, which creates pressure that drives a piston. The piston is connected to a crankshaft, which converts the up-and-down motion of the piston into rotary motion. The rotary motion of the crankshaft is then used to power the car’s wheels.

The Four-Stroke Cycle

The four-stroke cycle is the most common type of cycle used in internal combustion engines. It consists of four strokes: intake, compression, power, and exhaust.

1. Intake stroke: The intake valve opens and the piston moves down the cylinder, drawing in a mixture of air and fuel.
2. Compression stroke: The intake valve closes and the piston moves up the cylinder, compressing the air-fuel mixture.
3. Power stroke: The spark plug ignites the air-fuel mixture, causing it to burn. The burning gases expand, driving the piston down the cylinder.
4. Exhaust stroke: The exhaust valve opens and the piston moves up the cylinder, pushing the exhaust gases out of the cylinder.

The Two-Stroke Cycle

The two-stroke cycle is a less common type of cycle used in internal combustion engines. It consists of two strokes: compression and power.

1. Compression stroke: The piston moves up the cylinder, compressing the air-fuel mixture.
2. Power stroke: The spark plug ignites the air-fuel mixture, causing it to burn. The burning gases expand, driving the piston down the cylinder.

Diesel Engines

Diesel engines are a type of internal combustion engine that uses diesel fuel instead of gasoline. Diesel engines are more efficient than gasoline engines, but they also produce more emissions. Diesel engines are typically used in trucks and buses.

Electric Motors

Electric motors are powered by electricity instead of fuel. Electric motors are more efficient than internal combustion engines, and they produce zero emissions. Electric motors are becoming increasingly popular in cars, as they offer a number of advantages over internal combustion engines.

Hybrid Engines

Hybrid engines combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. Hybrid engines offer the benefits of both internal combustion engines and electric motors. Hybrid engines are more efficient than internal combustion engines, and they produce fewer emissions. Hybrid engines are becoming increasingly popular in cars, as they offer a number of advantages over both internal combustion engines and electric motors.