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There are many important parts of a vehicle that help keep it running and able to move from place to place. One of the most vital that needs to be working properly at all times is the engine. It holds the power necessary for your car to function.
Did you know there are many kinds of car engines out there? The layouts and cylinder configurations can vary. Keep reading to find out more about how vehicle engines work, as well as some of the different layouts and configurations.
While there are several engine types when it comes to size and layout, all late-model vehicles (apart from hybrid electric models) use the internal combustion engine.
Combustion is the process that results from energy being released from the fuel and air mixture present inside an engine. An internal combustion engine ignites and combusts fuel to convert energy into torque, or mechanical energy.
Internal combustion engines feature fixed cylinders and moving pistons. The mechanical energy that’s generated is used to help push the pistons, which then rotates the crankshaft. Gears that are set in motion in the powertrain help move the wheels on the vehicle.
There are thousands of controlled explosions occurring every minute the engine is running. Most internal combustion engines have a four-stroke combustion cycle:
Diesel engines are also often four-stroke engines, but they’re different from engines that are gasoline-powered in how they complete the combustion process. Instead of using spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture, they rely on high compression ratios.
While most vehicles use internal combustion engines, the setup of these engines can vary. The cylinder layouts can vary, depending on the amount of power a manufacturer wants the car to have or to ensure the engine will fit the space that’s allotted.
The most common cylinder layouts include:
The number of cylinders a vehicle has helps determine the amount of power an engine can produce. Items like turbochargers allow for extra compression in the combustion chamber, meaning engine power can be increased without adding more cylinders.
The smallest engine configuration is a twin-cylinder, but these don’t offer much power or capacity. However, they are sometimes found on smaller eco-friendly engines.
Three-cylinder engines typically are arranged in a straight-engine layout and can sometimes be found on smaller vehicles or hatchbacks. This compact design provides good fuel economy, and cars can still have a decent amount of power with the addition of a turbocharger.
The most common engine configuration is the four-cylinder, which is found on a variety of vehicles from small to midrange. A four-cylinder engine is set up in an inline design and offers a good amount of engine output.
The number of cylinders in an engine can continue to increase, like six-cylinder engines that are found on high-end performance and sports cars.
Students in the Automotive Technology program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) are taught the fundamentals of car maintenance and repair. This instruction helps prepare students for entry-level careers as automotive technicians.1
The program can be completed in less than a year7 and covers a range of industry-relevant topics, including working on different kinds of engines in the Automotive Engine Service & Repair course. Students also get the opportunity to perform an engine teardown, blueprint and rebuild during the Power & Performance lab.37
This experience can make a big difference when applying for jobs in the industry. Employers are looking to hire qualified individuals with the right training and education, and 4 out of 5 UTI graduates find employment in careers in their field of study within one year of graduation.3
To learn more, visit our program page and request information to get in touch with an Admissions Representative today.
What are the basic parts of a car and how do they work? Learn about them here.
Shocks and struts are important parts of a suspension system. Learn more about what they do here!
Direct injection engines offer increased fuel efficiency for vehicles. Read more about how they work here!
1) UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
2) For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
3) A total of 82% of UTI graduates in 2021 were employed within one year of their graduation date. This rate excludes graduates not available for employment because of continuing education, military service, health, incarceration, death or international student status. The rate includes graduates who completed manufacturer-specific advanced training programs and those employed in positions that were obtained before or during their UTI education, where the primary job duties after graduation align with the educational and training objectives of the program. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary.
7) Some programs may require longer than one year to complete.
37) Power & Performance courses are not offered at NASCAR Technical Institute. UTI is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit www.uti.edu/disclosures.
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
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