What are the differences between a three-cylinder engine and a four-cylinder engine?
2 Answers
The differences between a three-cylinder engine and a four-cylinder engine include the number of cylinders, structure, distribution, engine balance, fuel consumption, weight, and low-speed torque. A three-cylinder engine has one fewer cylinder than a four-cylinder engine. Below are the detailed explanations: Number of cylinders: A three-cylinder engine has three cylinders; a four-cylinder engine has four cylinders. Structure: A three-cylinder engine has a simpler structure, smaller size, lighter weight, and easier layout; a four-cylinder engine has a relatively more complex structure. Distribution: The three pistons in a three-cylinder engine cannot move up and down simultaneously, making it difficult to suppress vibrations; in a four-cylinder engine, cylinders 1 and 4, and cylinders 2 and 3 move up and down simultaneously, which helps suppress vibrations to some extent. Engine balance: Due to having one fewer cylinder, a three-cylinder engine performs worse in terms of engine balance control compared to a four-cylinder engine. Weight: A three-cylinder engine is smaller in size and lighter in weight; a four-cylinder engine is relatively larger in size and heavier in weight. Fuel consumption: A three-cylinder engine consumes less fuel; a four-cylinder engine consumes relatively more fuel. Low-speed torque: A three-cylinder engine has greater low-speed torque; a four-cylinder engine has relatively lower low-speed torque. A three-cylinder engine consists of three cylinders arranged on a single block, sharing a common crankshaft to output power. Its main function is to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. A four-cylinder engine, also known as a four-cylinder engine, is a machine that converts one form of energy into another more useful form of energy. The working principles of three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines are the same. They convert the chemical energy of gasoline (or diesel) into thermal energy. The combustion and expansion of the sealed cylinder's gas mixture push the piston to perform work, converting thermal energy into mechanical energy.
The most obvious difference between three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines lies in the number of cylinders, which directly affects the driving experience. With only three pistons working alternately, a three-cylinder engine always has a moment when no piston is active—like three people taking turns pushing a cart, resulting in noticeable jerks—so vibration is more apparent. Four-cylinder engines operate more evenly, delivering a much smoother ride. However, three-cylinder engines are lighter with fewer parts, offering outstanding fuel efficiency; my three-cylinder car consumes just over 6 liters per 100 km in city commuting. Manufacturers add balance shafts to three-cylinder engines, but you can still feel a slight tingle in the steering wheel during hard acceleration. If smoothness is a priority, four-cylinders are noticeably more comfortable, especially quieter at highway speeds. Many hybrids now favor three-cylinder engines, while pure gasoline cars still mostly use four-cylinders.
