Book 22, Question 93
How Does a Car Engine Turn Fuel Into Motion?
Under a car's hood, small explosions happen again and again. They turn fuel into motion. Let's follow the steps! A typical car engine has four to eight cylinders.
More fun facts
- Most gasoline cars use a spark ignited engine that burns fuel inside the engine itself.
- Fuel is sprayed into a chamber and mixed with air.
- A spark from the spark plug lights the fuel and air mixture.
- A fuel pump sends gasoline from the tank through a fuel line to the engine.
- Only about 12% to 30% of the energy in the fuel actually moves the car down the road.
- Most of the fuel's energy is lost in the engine as heat.
- In stop and go traffic, cars waste energy while idling.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov
Questions kids ask
What controls the engine?
A computer called the electronic control module manages the fuel mixture and the timing of the spark.