<AREA SHAPE=RECT COORDS="7,8,17,18" HREF="!The engine runs as the battery feeds electricity to the distributor through the coil. The distributor sends it to the right spark plug at the right time. Sparks from the spark plugs ignite the fuel, and the pistons go into their rapid, pumplike action. As the pistons move up and down, connecting rods turn the crankshaft. The rods transfer energy from the power stroke to the crankshaft and flywheel, which transmit energy to the car's transmission. The engine is now providing the power to move the car.">
The typical car engine burns a mixture of gasoline and air inside closed cylinders. As the fuel burns, it produces expanding gases that force each piston down inside its cylinder. This downstroke provides the power that ultimately moves the car. Connecting rods transmit this power to the crankshaft, which converts the pistons' up-and-down movement into rotary movement.<NP>
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World Book diagrams by Graham Studios</P>
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