How Does a Car Engine Turn the Wheels?

Introduction

A car engine is a complex machine that converts the chemical energy in gasoline into mechanical energy that can be used to turn the wheels. The process of converting gasoline into mechanical energy is called combustion.

Combustion occurs in the engine’s cylinders. Each cylinder contains a piston that moves up and down inside the cylinder. As the piston moves up, it compresses the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. When the piston reaches the top of the cylinder, the spark plug ignites the air-fuel mixture, causing it to burn. The burning gases expand, pushing the piston back down the cylinder.

The piston’s up-and-down motion is converted into rotary motion by the crankshaft. The crankshaft is connected to the transmission, which transfers the power from the engine to the wheels.

The Four-Stroke Cycle

The four-stroke cycle is the sequence of events that occur in each cylinder during one complete revolution of the crankshaft. The four strokes are:

1. Intake stroke: The intake valve opens and the piston moves down the cylinder, drawing in an air-fuel mixture.
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, pushing 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 four-stroke cycle is repeated over and over again, providing the power to turn the wheels.

The Transmission

The transmission is a gearbox that transfers power from the engine to the wheels. The transmission allows the driver to change gears, which changes the ratio of the engine’s speed to the wheels’ speed.

There are many different types of transmissions, but the most common type is the manual transmission. A manual transmission has a set of gears that the driver can shift between. The driver must use the clutch to disengage the engine from the transmission when shifting gears.

Automatic transmissions are also available. Automatic transmissions use a fluid coupling or a torque converter to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. Automatic transmissions do not require the driver to shift gears.

The Differential

The differential is a gearbox that splits the power from the transmission and sends it to the two wheels on the same axle.

The differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds, which is necessary when the car is turning. When the car is going straight, the differential locks and the wheels turn at the same speed.

Conclusion

The car engine, transmission, and differential are all essential components of the drivetrain, which is responsible for turning the wheels. The drivetrain is a complex system, but it is essential for the car to be able to move.