Have you ever wished your engine ran smoother? The reality is, due to their structural design, engines inherently experience fluctuations in rotation (rotational unevenness).
Furthermore, phenomena like knocking and abnormal combustion can also prevent a smooth driving experience.
This article explains the mechanism behind these rotational inconsistencies and introduces methods to support smoother engine performance.
Piston Movement and Rotational Unevenness
The reciprocating engines found in automobiles generate combustion energy through the up-and-down motion (reciprocation) of the pistons, and this motion is then converted into rotational motion by the crankshaft.
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A2-stroke engine completes the four processes—intake, compression, combustion (power), and exhaust—in one complete reciprocation of the piston (one up and one down).
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A4-stroke engine completes these four processes over two reciprocations of the piston.
Because this linear, reciprocating motion must be converted into rotational motion, some rotational unevenness is inevitable.
The flywheel (a heavy wheel) is a component used to dampen this unevenness. However, under high-load situations, phenomena such as knocking (where the fuel ignites at an abnormal time), surging (often related to excessive engine speed), and other abnormal combustion issues can still occur. Abnormal combustion may manifest as a momentary 'hiccup' or 'choke' sensation in the engine's rotation, interrupting the continuous 'buzzing' sound.
These factors make it difficult for an engine to rotate as smoothly as an electric motor.
Unavoidable Even with Advanced Engine Control
In modern fuel-injected vehicles, advancements in electronic control have significantly reduced the occurrence of surging and abnormal combustion. However, knocking has not yet been completely eliminated.
Knocking is most likely to occur in high-load situations—such as when the engine speed doesn't increase as expected even when the accelerator is pressed—and it puts a significant strain on the engine. When fuel-injected vehicles detect this phenomenon, they typically respond by retarding the ignition timing or by automatically downshifting the gear (kick-down in automatic transmissions).
While these control mechanisms are effective for safety, they can lead to a decrease in combustion efficiency and compromise the smoothness of the ride. Therefore, it is crucial to suppress the occurrence of knocking itself.
What You Can Do for a Smooth Ride
To achieve smooth engine rotation, high combustion efficiency is essential. In reality, however, various factors such as air temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and driving load all influence the combustion balance.
Among these, a factor that is often overlooked is static electricity build-up. The static charge that accumulates on the vehicle body during driving can subtly and adversely affect combustion and electronic control systems.
One method to mitigate this static electricity is a product called "AdPower”.
It is easy to install—simply by attaching it to the vehicle—and it is expected to improve drivability. For those seeking a smoother ride, we highly recommend trying this product as a potential option.