What Does Car Torque Mean and What Is Its Function?
2 Answers
Specific descriptions are as follows: 1. Meaning of car torque: Car torque is the moment of force output from the crankshaft end of the engine. Under the condition of fixed power, it is inversely proportional to the engine speed. The faster the speed, the smaller the torque, and vice versa, reflecting the load capacity of the car within a certain range. 2. Function of car torque: The reciprocating motion of the piston in the cylinder does a certain amount of work per cycle, and its unit is Newton. The work done per unit distance is torque. Torque is an important criterion for measuring the quality of a car engine. The torque of a car is directly proportional to the power of the engine.
I think of car torque as the 'raw power' of the engine—simply put, it represents the engine's ability to twist the wheels. In my years of driving experience, especially on city roads, the level of torque directly affects how the car feels at startup: when you press the accelerator, the car immediately bursts with power, easily surging forward as soon as the light turns green. In terms of function, it gives the car more strength during low-speed acceleration, climbing hills, or carrying heavy loads. For example, when I drove a high-torque car up a steep slope, I didn’t need to floor the gas pedal to get up—it’s more about everyday practicality than horsepower. A high-torque engine also responds quickly when overtaking, improving both safety and comfort. I’ve also noticed that some people confuse torque with horsepower; the former is about initial burst, while the latter is about sustained high speed—they work best in harmony. In short, understanding torque has helped me focus more on real driving sensations when choosing a car, avoiding wasted performance.
