Understanding Car Engines: The Heart of the Vehicle
Understanding Car Engines: The Heart of the Vehicle The car engine is the heart of any automobile, providing the power necessary to move the vehicle and drive its various components. Although often hidden under the hood, the engine is a complex piece of machinery that converts fuel into mechanical energy through a process called internal combustion . This article explores the basic structure, operation, and evolution of car engines, offering insight into one of the most important innovations in modern transportation. How Car Engines Work Most car engines are internal combustion engines (ICEs), which operate by igniting a mixture of fuel (typically gasoline or diesel ) and air inside a cylinder . This controlled explosion pushes a piston down, turning the crankshaft and creating the rotational force needed to move the vehicle's wheels. This process repeats thousands of times per minute, providing continuous power. An engine usually consists of several key parts: Cylinde...