What is the firing order of a four-cylinder engine?
2 Answers
Four-cylinder engines have a firing order where the four cylinders are arranged in a straight line, which is one of the cylinder arrangement types for internal combustion engines, commonly used in four-cylinder engines with displacements less than 2.0 liters. The inline four-cylinder engine block and crankshaft structure are simple, compact in size, offer high engine stability, good low-speed torque characteristics, and relatively low fuel consumption. Engine cylinders are categorized into: single-row, double-row, and triple-row configurations, and the arrangement methods of engine cylinders include: vertical, inclined, and horizontal layouts. Examples of engines using inline four-cylinder configurations include: the Ford T-type engine, Austin A-series engine, Honda ED-type engine, and Hyundai Alpha engine.
As someone who often tinkers with cars, I've found that the firing order of a four-cylinder engine is typically 1-3-4-2. This means the cylinders fire in the sequence of first, third, fourth, and then back to the second cylinder. This design allows the engine to run more smoothly and reduces vibration, as each cylinder fires at 180-degree crankshaft intervals, preventing the wobbling sensation caused by power imbalance. If your car's engine vibrates excessively, it might be due to incorrect firing order or worn spark plugs. I recommend regularly checking the ignition coils and wire connections to prevent minor issues from turning into major failures. Engine balance significantly impacts the driving experience—it makes high-speed driving quieter and smoother, and also affects fuel economy. Having worked on many cars myself, I've noticed that factory manuals always emphasize maintaining this firing order. Don't tamper with it randomly to avoid damaging the crankshaft bearings.
