Engine Performance Basics

Engine Performance

• Horsepower and Torque: Horsepower measures an engine's power output, while torque measures its rotational force.
• Engine Types:
  • Gasoline Engines: Most common type, using spark ignition and air-fuel mixture.
  • Diesel Engines: Use compression ignition, more efficient but heavier.
  • Hybrid Engines: Combine conventional engine with electric motor for improved efficiency.
• Engine Components:
  • Cylinders: Where combustion takes place, typically 4, 6, or 8 in modern engines.
  • Pistons: Move up and down in cylinders, driven by explosive force.
  • Crankshaft: Converts reciprocal motion of pistons into rotary motion.
• Engine Performance Metrics:
  • Compression Ratio: Affects engine efficiency and power output.
  • Displacement: Total volume of all cylinders, affects power output.

Transmission Systems

• Manual Transmission: Driver manually shifts gears using clutch and gearshift.
• Automatic Transmission: Uses torque converter and planetary gearset to shift gears automatically.
• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT): Uses belts and pulleys to provide infinite gear ratios.
• Transmission Types:
  • Front-Wheel Drive (FWD): Power sent to front wheels.
  • Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD): Power sent to rear wheels.
  • All-Wheel Drive (AWD): Power sent to all four wheels.
• Transmission Components:
  • Clutch: Disconnects engine from transmission during gear shifts.
  • Gearsets: Provide different gear ratios for varying driving conditions.

Brakes

• Brake Types:
  • Disc Brakes: Use caliper to squeeze brake pads against rotor.
  • Drum Brakes: Use shoes to press against brake drum.
• Brake Components:
  • Brake Pads: Wear out over time, need regular replacement.
  • Rotors: Wear out over time, need regular resurfacing or replacement.
• Braking Systems:
  • Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS): Prevents wheel lockup during hard braking.
  • Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Helps stabilize vehicle during sharp turns or slippery conditions.

Engine Performance

• Horsepower measures an engine's power output, while torque measures its rotational force.
• Gasoline engines are the most common type, using spark ignition and air-fuel mixture.
• Diesel engines use compression ignition, are more efficient but heavier.
• Hybrid engines combine conventional engine with electric motor for improved efficiency.
• Cylinders are where combustion takes place, typically 4, 6, or 8 in modern engines.
• Pistons move up and down in cylinders, driven by explosive force.
• The crankshaft converts reciprocal motion of pistons into rotary motion.
• Compression ratio affects engine efficiency and power output.
• Displacement is the total volume of all cylinders, affecting power output.

Transmission Systems

• Manual transmission requires the driver to manually shift gears using clutch and gearshift.
• Automatic transmission uses torque converter and planetary gearset to shift gears automatically.
• Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) uses belts and pulleys to provide infinite gear ratios.
• Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) sends power to front wheels.
• Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) sends power to rear wheels.
• All-Wheel Drive (AWD) sends power to all four wheels.
• The clutch disconnects engine from transmission during gear shifts.
• Gearsets provide different gear ratios for varying driving conditions.

Brakes

• Disc brakes use a caliper to squeeze brake pads against the rotor.
• Drum brakes use shoes to press against the brake drum.
• Brake pads wear out over time and need regular replacement.
• Rotors wear out over time and need regular resurfacing or replacement.
• Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) prevents wheel lockup during hard braking.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) helps stabilize the vehicle during sharp turns or slippery conditions.