How Piston Shape Impacts Engine Performance And Efficiency
Engineers have a lot to think about when designing new engines, and one of the biggest considerations is the shape of the pistons in the cylinders.
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2022
Kiran Menon
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Stories By Kiran Menon
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Do Harley-Davidsons Need Back Pressure?
There's a prevalent myth in the enthusiast community that motorcycles like Harley-Davidsons need back pressure, but is it true? Here's what to know.
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Some Call It The Worst-Looking Chevy Corvette Ever Made, Others Just See An Old C4
The 1995 C4 Indy Pace Car might be seen as one of the ugliest Corvettes, but is that reputation deserved, or does it deserve to come in from the cold?
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The Dash-To-Axle Ratio Is A Delicate Balance That Can Make Or Break Styling
When it comes to automotive design, dash-to-axle ratio can play a massive role in whether a car looks ridiculously cool or just ridiculous. Here's how it works.
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Europe's Had Gasoline Particulate Filters For 10 Years, Now It's America's Turn
Gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) have been on the roads of Europe for some time amid concerns about air quality, but now they're crossing the pond.
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Plymouth's Hy-Drive Transmission Was Half-Manual, Half-Automatic, And Totally Confusing
Plymouth used a Hy-Drive transmission that was fairly simple to use in practice, but its strange design and high cost caused it to quickly be discontinued.
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Maserati Once Built A Six-Valve-Per-Cylinder Engine (And Quickly Learned Why Nobody Else Did)
During the 1980s, Maserati experimented with a clever, 36-valve V6 gasoline engine, but for various reasons, the idea never really caught on.
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The Term 'Supercar' Existed Long Before The Miura
The Lamborghini Miura is widely acknowledged as the world's first supercar, but it turns out the word was coined in England about 40 years earlier.
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How Automakers Tackle Auto Start-Stop Without Adding Wear And Tear
Most modern cars have auto start-stop systems to reduce fuel consumption, but while some might worry about wear and tear, car makers have it covered.
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Automakers Have A Long, Annoying History Of Trying To Replace The Gear Shifter
Many modern cars have replaced the usual PRNDL gear shifter with fancier designs. But technology isn't the only reason for these major changes.
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What Exactly Are You Doing When You Jump Start An EV?
Jump starting your vehicle requires some very specific steps. But those steps don't really change much between internal combustion and electric vehicles.
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Why Increasing An Engine's Compression Ratio Makes It More Efficient
You might have heard about high compression ratios, but what exactly are they, and what kind of effect do they have on an engine's fuel efficiency?
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What're The Differences Between The Ford 427 And Chrysler 426 HEMI Engine?
Ford and Chrysler both created powerful engines that were banned by NASCAR. Their similarities made them powerhouses, but they also have notable differences.
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The Weirdest Engine You'll Read About Today Is The Sarich Orbital
There are a lot of strange automotive designs out there, but this defunct engine from the '70s may just be the weirdest one you've ever seen.
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Why Magnesium Wheels For Your Daily Driver Just Don't Make Sense
If you're tempted by the idea of swapping to lightweight magnesium wheels for your car, you might want to stop and read this before blowing your budget.
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Single Vs. Dual Exhaust: Sometimes Size Matters And Two Isn't Always Better Than One
Conventional wisdom suggests two pipes will help an engine breathe more freely than one, but as Engine Masters discovered, that might not always be the case.
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What're The Differences Between A Mechanical And Electronic Differential?
Gearheads often talk of limited-slip and locking differentials, but how do the "standard" mechanical diffs compare with electronic versions?
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What's The Difference Between Even Firing And Odd Firing Engines?
It might sound surprising, but the order in which your engine's cylinders fire can have a profound effect on the motor's character. Here's how.
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No, European Cars Can't Use American Car Oil: Here's Why
Oils are not all the same, and owners of European cars have to make sure they're using oil that meets European standards -- which differ from those in the U.S.
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These Are The Biggest Differences Between The Chevy C8 Corvette Stingray And Z06
They might both be Corvettes, but the C8 and Z06 have very different characteristics. To help you distinguish between the two, here's the head-to-head.
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Consumer Reports Says Hybrids Are Super Reliable So Let's Look At The Longest Warranties
Hybrids have been getting rave reviews by Consumer Reports, particularly when it comes to reliability. But how do their warranties stack up in the long run?
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What Is An Atkinson Cycle Engine And Why Do Automakers Use It?
You're probably familiar with the standard combustion process that powers most cars, but some engines use a more efficient cycle that dates back to the 1800s.
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Diesel Vs. Gas Engine Maintenance: What Typically Costs More And Why?
Even if you don't plan on ever owning a car with a diesel engine, you may still want to know how they compare to gas engines in terms of costs and maintenance.
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Why BMW Switched From The Kidney Grilles To The Nostril
BMW's "nostril" designs have been divisive among customers and commentators, so why were they ever introduced? And will BMW switch back to "kidney" grilles?
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The Main Differences Between Pickup Truck And Car Engines
Both the Ford F-150 and the Mustang have Coyote V8 engines, so they must be the same, right? Wrong. Truck and car engines are not created equal, and here's why.
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A Leading Cause Of EV Battery Degradation Is Avoidable, But Is It Worth It?
Over time, every EV's battery is going to degrade. One specific habit can cause that battery to degrade faster, but that doesn't mean you should stop doing it.
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Can Diesel Fuel Go Bad Over Time?
If you have a diesel-powered vehicle that's been sitting unused for more than a few months, you might be wondering if its fuel has ended up going bad.
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