Cars are an essential part of everyday life. They help us get to work, home, soccer practice for the kids, musical recitals, and even give us entertainment through NASCAR and Monster Truck rallies. Some like the style and look of the older cars, and others enjoy the comfort, convenience, and safety features of the newer model of cars. Whatever your preference, it is essential to ensure that your car is running correctly and that you are getting the most out of your engine power from your vehicle.
What are Engine Power and Torque?
The engine produces power and torque when you turn on your car and press the accelerator. Air and fuel combust together, causing the crankshaft, the transmission, and the drive axles to convert the potential energy of your car into kinetic energy. Here are a few textbook definitions to make understanding your car's engine easier.
Power– How rapidly work is accomplished.
Engine Power Efficiency – refers to the relationship between the total energy contained in the fuel and the amount of energy required for it to perform.
Engine Power Output – refers to the maximum amount of power an engine can use. In a car, this is often referred to as horsepower. In the United States, horsepower shows how much work is required to pull 33,000 pounds at a distance of one foot per minute.
Torque– a rotating force produced by an engine's crankshaft. This helps determine how much work can be done—the higher torque results in a higher ability to perform work.
What Causes Poor Engine Performance?
It's terrifying to drive on the highway, and you go to accelerate, and your car either feels like it isn't responding or is losing power. The causes for this kind of problem are usually a result of mechanical failures, such as low compression, where the cylinders are not producing enough increase in pressure during the combustion process. Other problems include but are not limited to:
Camshaft Position Sensors Malfunctioning
The Camshaft Position Sensor is designed to give the electronic control module information on how fast the camshaft is operating in your car. (The camshaft is a set of cams that work the valves in your car's combustion chamber.) The control module then dictates when the fuel injector and the ignition should go off. If this is malfunctioning, this will cause your car to jerk as the engine doesn't have enough power to accelerate when asked to.
Clogged or Bad Fuel Injectors
Fuel injectors spray fuel inside the engine. Lousy fuel injectors could delay when the energy is being poured into your machine, resulting in lower performance and ultimately leading to the engine not producing enough power to run the vehicle.
Bad Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are located in your car's combustion chamber. They send a signal that causes an electric spark in the combustion chamber, allowing the air and the fuel mixture to ignite, and send the needed energy for your engine to perform. With lousy spark plugs, this reaction becomes increasingly delayed, weakening your engine power and, ultimately, a machine failure.
All these malfunctioning parts will result in your engine and your vehicle losing power. If left unchecked or unresolved, your car will fail, resulting in costly repairs. It is essential to keep your vehicle running smoothly, so noticing any jerking or changes in how a car ride is a good indicator that your vehicle needs a tune-up.
What Can I Do To Correct My Car's Loss of Power?
When your engine comes, it is the brain and heart of your car. If it is having trouble, it is time to take it in for a much-needed tune-up. At Albion Auto Sales & Service, we specialize in ensuring your engine runs smoothly, resulting in a reliable car and a happy client.
We can provide engine rebuilds, focusing on finding broken parts and replacing them with features that fit your engine and help it run more smoothly. Engine rebuilds are more economically friendly and an excellent way to ensure that the rest of the engine is running smoothly and, if not, that the hidden problem is handled promptly and efficiently.
We also offer engine replacements which can be helpful if you find your car is inconsistent and needs extra care. In the long run, an engine replacement can be more cost-efficient, as it saves you from the hassle of having other parts of the engine malfunction. A new engine will guarantee that your vehicle runs like it is brand new.
