Car’s Horsepower and Mileage, Essay Example

The engine of the car enables it to carry heavy loads and accelerate. For this ability to be enhanced, one can modify the engine so as to improve the performance of the vehicle. A good engine is very essential in smooth functionality of the car. The engine does convert the gasoline internally to speed and motion which makes a car to move. The Horsepower (Hp) of the engine is measured as the rate of power that a car runs with. It is estimated that only around 15 percent of the fuel get used by the car, the rest of the energy is lost due to engine and driving inefficiencies. The energy losses are mainly through standby or idling, accessories, driveline losses and engine losses. If these losses are reduced, then the gas mileage and horsepower can be increased.

Use of high performing air filter increases the performance. This is because they have less restriction to the air flow thus increased power and fuel efficiency. Clogged air filters restrict air flow hence reducing the power and gas mileage. Installation of turbocharger helps increase amount of air in cylinder hence more added oxygen to combustion chamber consequently more engine horsepower. The incoming air needs to be cooled for more horsepower.

Use of best synthetic motor oil reduces wastes in energy due to friction between the moving parts that spin and slide at high speeds. Convectional motor oils get thicker as they break down quickly hence making it hard for moving parts to move.

Correct tire pressure is one of the free and easiest ways of improving the gas mileage. Properly inflated tires improve the gas mileage by reducing the rolling resistance.

Spark plugs that are high performing are essential towards improving engine performance. Efficiency and power depend in the gasoline engine depend on strong sparks. The combustion intense heat degrades standard spark plugs performance hence causing reduced fuel economy and power.

Fuel efficient driving also increases gas mileage. This includes gradual acceleration, driving at lower speeds, driving smoothly, avoiding unnecessary idling, avoiding heavy traffic and using of the air conditioners wisely.

They are also losses of energy in the drive train. These need to be reduced by using best low friction synthetic oils to cut losses significantly. Frequent repair and tuning up also helps to improve the gas mileage. Most car parts lose efficiency and power as they wear out and get dirt hence needs to be maintained regularly.

There is also change in the computer chip to improve the horse power of the engine. The ROM chip in engine control unit (ECU) helps increase horsepower with some modifications in the air intake, exhaust systems and header.