Understanding the Four-Stroke Engine Cycle

Cars convert fuel into motion through a four-stroke cycle that most people never see.

First, the intake valve opens and the piston drops, sucking in an air-fuel

mixture. Then the piston compresses that mixture into a tiny space.

A spark plug ignites it, creating an explosion that forces the piston back down

with tremendous force. Finally, the exhaust valve opens to push out

the burnt gases. This cycle happens in each cylinder simultaneously but offset,

creating smooth continuous power. The crankshaft captures all this up-and-down motion and converts

it into the rotational force that ultimately turns your wheels and moves you forward.