How Cars Work: A Basic Breakdown
Drivers should know how to how to buy auto insurance and how cars work. Cars that require gasoline are powered by an internal combustion engine which is set into action through many small explosions of oxygen and fuel. Electric cars, on the other hand, require not gasoline but electricity which powers a motor. Knowing how cars work can help you as a driver understand what kind of insurance coverage you need to repair or replace your vehicle.
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Jimmy McMillan
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Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent insurance brokerage. His company specializes in insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast Modern Li...
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UPDATED: Jan 28, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 28, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Oxygen and gasoline combust to power your vehicle
- A typical car engine operates using a four-stroke system
- Electric cars do not have an internal combustion engine
You drive your car every day to work, to the gym, and to your favorite bookstore, but while you know that pressing unlock on your key fob will open your doors, and inserting and turning the key will cause the engine to turn over, do you actually know how your car works?
While you may not need to know everything about cars, knowing how your car operates can help you not only choose the best auto insurance coverages but also make you a more knowledgeable car owner. In short, if you want to purchase more affordable auto insurance, knowing how cars work can help you do just that.
You’ll be happy to learn that you don’t need to add a confusing how cars work book to your list the next time you visit your local library, either. Keep reading to learn how to determine where to obtain free online auto insurance quotes and to discover how cars operate so that you can gain a better understanding of the machine that you spend so much time in every day.
If you want to know how cars work, enter your ZIP code to obtain free insurance quotes and to receive lower insurance rates.
How does a car work?
Your car is able to take you to and fro because of the internal combustion engine that it contains. Known as a heat engine, your engine is able to utilize the heat of burning gasoline. It converts that heat into energy — called torque — which powers the wheels of your car and sends you on your way. Of course, similar to auto insurance rates, understanding how cars work requires a bit more detail. Let’s take a closer look at how your engine can convert heat into energy.
Car Basics for Beginners
While you won’t be able to ask your auto insurance company how cars operate, you can educate yourself to gain a better understanding of your vehicle.
If you were to closely examine your car’s engine, you would notice some items that look like cylinders within it. These cylinders actually contain your engine’s pistons which are connected to a crankshaft via rods. These rods enable the pistons to move up and down and, in turn, spin the crankshaft.
While the exact number will vary for different types of vehicles, there are usually between 2 and 12 pistons contained in an engine. You may be shocked to learn that these pistons are set into motion by tiny explosions that erupt every minute. Oxygen mixed with fuel combusts, and with this combustion comes the power stroke which pushes a piston down. The power stroke is one of four types of strokes that occur in the engine. Three additional strokes that happen in the engine include the following:
- The intake stroke
- The compression stroke
- The exhaust stroke
For a vehicle that needs fuel in order to run, these four strokes work together to get your car moving. Since your car needs oxygen to burn fuel, valves are opened during the intake stroke to do just as the name implies and intake air. The valves are shut at the bottom of the stroke which paves the way for the compression stroke.
The compression stroke moves upward, and the intake charge is compressed. And as the stroke reaches its maximum height, also known as top dead center, gasoline is directly injected. As the air and fuel combine, spark plugs ignite the mixture.
This explosion pushes the piston back down into the combustion stroke which allows your wheels to move. Now, as this stroke reaches its low point, also known as bottom dead center, the exhaust valves are opened in order to release the combustion gases as the piston rises once again.
In cars that have multi-cylinder engines, the cycles of each cylinder are evenly staggered. This ensures that not all of the cylinders are experiencing combustion strokes simultaneously which keeps your engine balanced and running smoothly.
There are, of course, severaly types of engines just as there are various types of insurance companies.
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What are the different types of engines?
When shopping for a new car, you’ve most likely seen descriptions of the engine but haven’t understood what the seller was trying to convey. If a car is described as having an inline-four arrangement for cylinders, this means that the cylinders are placed in a straight line. V-6 and V-8 engines will contain two banks of inline cylinders placed in a V formation.
Now, you should also note that not all internal combustion engines operate in exactly the same manner. For instance, the Atkinson-cycle engine is a more efficient engine, but it lacks power. There are also turbocharging engines that you can purchase which force more air into your engine. This additional oxygen intake results in building a more powerful torque.
While diesel engines still operate from the same method of air and fuel combustion, spark plugs are not a necessary part of the process. Of course, if you have an all-electric car, your vehicle isn’t at all powered by an internal combustion engine.
Read more:
- The Complete Guide to Car Engine Parts
- How Car Engines Work: Understanding The Internal Combustion Engine
How do all-electric cars work?
If you drive an all-electric car, you will find an electric motor under your vehicle’s hood instead of an internal combustion engine. Unlike cars that need gasoline, your automobile needs a battery pack to power its motor. The power generated by the motor is then transferred by the electric transmission and is then applied to your wheels.
Electric vehicles also use a DC/DC converter to transform high-voltage DC power from the traction battery pack to a lower-voltage, so that vehicle accessories can be powered as well. With all this power generation occurring, how does your electric car keep from overheating? Well, that’s where the thermal system comes into play.
There are different types of cooling systems for electric cars which include phase change materials, fins, air, or liquid coolant. No matter what type of system you use, the goal of maintaining an adequate temperature for the hardworking components of your vehicle remains the same.
Now, instead of taking your car to a gas station for more fuel, you will be required to plug your vehicle into an electrical outlet on a wall or into specific charging equipment. Drivers can save a significant amount of money by avoiding the gas pump, and if you have the right equipment, you can power up your car from the comfort of your home.
The shift towards all-electric vehicles is gaining momentum, driven by the absence of exhaust emissions and, consequently, zero CO2 output. This surge in popularity has led to the availability of electric cars in various sizes and designs. For those considering an electric vehicle, there are numerous appealing options, including the most popular electric vehicle models listed below.
Best Electric SUV | Best Electric Trucks | Best Luxury Electric Car | Best Electric Luxury SUV |
---|---|---|---|
2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning | 2022 Lucid Air | 2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron |
2022 Volkswagen ID4 | 2021 Bollinger B2 | 2022 Tesla Model S | 2022 Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron |
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric | 2022 GMC Hummer EV | 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS-Class | 2021 Tesla Model Y |
How Cars Work: What You Need to Know
If you take your automobile to the gas station, that means that there is an internal combustion engine resting underneath the hood. While that is the most common type of engine on the streets today, more and more people are interested in buying electric cars, which have no need for gasoline.
These vehicles use electricity to run and have no CO2 emissions; however, they do need a battery which can die. Now, no matter what type of fuel your car uses, you should also ensure that you have proper insurance coverage. You can shop online at any time of day to find the best coverage for your needs.
Now that you know a little more about how cars work, enter your ZIP code to begin comparing free quotes and find the best coverage for you today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does an internal combustion engine work in a car?
An internal combustion engine in a car works by burning fuel (usually gasoline) inside a combustion chamber. The burning fuel creates a series of small explosions that push pistons up and down, converting the energy into mechanical motion. This motion is transferred to the wheels through a transmission system, propelling the car forward.
What is a transmission and how does it work?
A transmission is a mechanical system that transfers power from the engine to the wheels. In most cars, it consists of gears that can be shifted to different ratios to control the speed and torque delivered to the wheels. Manual transmissions require the driver to manually shift gears, while automatic transmissions shift gears automatically based on the vehicle’s speed and load.
What is the purpose of a fuel system in a car?
The fuel system in a car is responsible for storing and delivering fuel to the engine. It typically includes a fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel injectors. The fuel pump draws fuel from the tank and delivers it to the injectors, which atomize the fuel and mix it with air for combustion in the engine.
How does the braking system work in a car?
The braking system in a car uses friction to slow down and stop the vehicle. When the driver applies the brakes, hydraulic pressure is generated, which forces brake pads or shoes against the brake discs or drums, creating friction. This friction converts the kinetic energy of the moving car into heat, gradually bringing it to a stop.
What is the role of the suspension system in a car?
The suspension system in a car helps to provide a smooth and comfortable ride by absorbing shocks and vibrations from the road. It consists of various components, such as springs, shock absorbers, and control arms, that work together to maintain contact between the tires and the road surface, enhancing stability and handling.
What is the function of the electrical system in a car?
The electrical system in a car is responsible for powering various electrical components and systems, such as lights, wipers, radio, and the ignition system. It includes a battery, alternator, and various wiring and connectors that distribute electrical power throughout the vehicle.
How does the cooling system work in a car?
The cooling system in a car prevents the engine from overheating by dissipating excess heat. It typically includes a radiator, coolant, water pump, and thermostat. The coolant absorbs heat from the engine and circulates it to the radiator, where it is cooled by airflow. The cooled coolant is then recirculated back to the engine, maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
What is the purpose of the exhaust system in a car?
The exhaust system in a car removes the waste gases produced during the combustion process. It consists of a series of pipes, catalytic converters, mufflers, and exhaust tips. The exhaust gases are directed through the system, where the catalytic converter helps reduce harmful emissions, and the muffler reduces noise.
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Jimmy McMillan
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent insurance brokerage. His company specializes in insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast Modern Li...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.