How to Distinguish Between Three-Cylinder and Four-Cylinder Engines When Buying a Car?
3 Answers
You can directly ask the staff or check the car's , where the number of engine cylinders is usually indicated in the emission specifications. Below is a detailed introduction to three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines: 1. Three-cylinder engine: A three-cylinder engine consists of three cylinders. Inside it, three identical single cylinders are arranged on one engine block sharing a crankshaft to output power, converting chemical energy into mechanical energy. Its main use is to provide power for traditional fuel vehicles and new energy hybrid models. 2. Four-cylinder engine: A four-cylinder engine, also known as a four-cylinder engine, is a machine that can convert one form of energy into another more useful form of energy, usually converting chemical energy into mechanical energy. Sometimes, the term engine can refer to both the power generation device and the entire machine including the power device, such as gasoline engines and aircraft engines.
I've been studying cars for many years, and there are several key ways to distinguish between three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines. The most straightforward method is to open the engine compartment and count the number of spark plugs or ignition coils—three means it's a three-cylinder, and four indicates a four-cylinder. The sound is also a clear giveaway: a three-cylinder engine idles unevenly, almost like it's gasping for breath, and the vibrations can be felt through the steering wheel, while a four-cylinder runs much smoother. Checking the specifications sheet is the easiest way—it always lists the number of cylinders. Body badges are another clue; for example, BMW's 318i badge signifies a three-cylinder, while the 320i denotes a four-cylinder. Three-cylinder engines typically have displacements between 1.0 and 1.5 liters, with a more compact design that saves space, whereas four-cylinder engines are larger and deliver more power. When buying a car, compare these features carefully to avoid being misled by salespeople.
A veteran driver with over a decade of experience tells you that you can distinguish by feeling more during the test drive. At the moment of startup, the steering wheel of a three-cylinder engine vibrates noticeably, while a four-cylinder engine hardly feels anything. At low speeds, the three-cylinder engine produces a buzzing resonance sound when the throttle is pressed, and the noise during acceleration feels thin like a motorcycle, whereas the sound of a four-cylinder engine is deep and continuous. On the highway, the three-cylinder engine lacks stamina and struggles with overtaking, while the four-cylinder engine has more power in reserve. Pay special attention to the start-stop state during traffic jams; the shaking of a three-cylinder engine will cause the water in the cup on the center console to slosh violently. Nowadays, some three-cylinder engines are equipped with balance shafts to reduce vibration, but fundamentally, you can still experience that uneven feeling.
