Auto enthusiasts love to know every detail about cars, from engine power and sheer performance to tyre size, but sometimes the technical terms may confuse them. Since power is calculated in kilowatts (KW), horsepower (HP) and brake horsepower (BHP), it may get confusing for many vehicle owners to understand.
In this guide, we will discuss all about car horsepower, what it is, how to measure and calculate your engine horsepower. Read on and find out more about it.
What is Car Power
Car power is one of the essential specifications we look for whenever we buy a car. The power of a car can be measured in different ways, but usually, two factors help to define it. The cylinder capacity, which means the volume capacity of the piston chamber and horsepower. Let’s find out in detail about horsepower.
What is Horsepower
Horsepower is a term used to measure how much power an engine can produce. It is also defined as the power that is required to move 550 pounds one foot in a second or 33,000 pounds one foot in a minute.
Who Developed the Concept of Horsepower
Horsepower came literally from a comparison with the animal. When James Watt wanted to express the strength of his steam engine in 1782, he decided to find out how many horses would be needed to replace the work of his machines, since animals were responsible for moving the windmills when there was no wind. This is why Watt introduced this term when measuring the work efficiency and power of his machines as compared to the horses.
How to Calculate Your Car’s Horsepower
The engine horsepower is measured by using a dynamometer. The tool usually has three components: roller set, absorption unit and torque indication system. The equipment has sensors that can capture how many revolutions per minute are obtained from the engine. All this data is transmitted to the car computer through the torque indication system.
The Formula for Calculating HP
If you roughly want to check car’s horsepower of your car and know your car’s engine torque then you can use the following formula:
Horsepower = Torque x RPM / 5,252
- Torque (T). It is measured by a dynamometer on the crankshaft.
- Revolutions every minute (RPM). It can be set either on the dashboard (tachometer readings) or by connecting an electronic tachometer
However, it is important to note here that the 5,252 in the formula represents the ‘meeting point’ of horsepower and torque in RPM. Hence, the result is the true engine power at a given RPM.
Calculate Your Car’s Horsepower in Three Steps
Here is how you can calculate the car’s horsepower in three steps:
- Step 1: Check your owner’s manual which can tell you the maximum torque of your car. Note it down before proceeding to the next step.
- Step 2: Now, check your car’s maximum RPM. For this, you can check the car’s rev counter.
- Step 3: Now put values in the horsepower formula and find the hp of your car. Make a note that you first need to multiply the total torque by the RMP before dividing it by 5,252.
What is Torque
When talking about horsepower, there’s another term that comes up often i.e. torque. Torque is what gives the vehicle traction. It is a force that is applied to make something rotate. For example, in a car, this force is generated at the crankshaft.
Torque represents a car’s ability to move something heavy. A tractor may not have a high horsepower and go slow, however, it has a lot of torque, which allows it to pull multi-ton loads.
How to Measure Torque
Just like horsepower, torque is measured by the dynamometer, by putting the engine at full throttle at different rpm. Torque is usually measured in foot pounds (ft-lb). The maximum torque, which is indicated on your car, is reached at a certain number of revolutions per minute (RPM).
- For example: 656 lb-ft @ 4,800 RPM means that its maximum torque (656 lb-ft) is only achieved while the engine is running at 4,800 RPM. Before or after that, the torque will be less.
Main Differences Between Torque and Horsepower
Although they are related, power and torque have very significant differences. Torque gives us the force to move the car. Starting, going up a steep grade or towing a trailer, it’s torque that gets you going. That’s why vehicles like cargo trucks have a lot of torque. They don’t need to go fast; they need to move heavy objects.
On the other hand, power will give us speed. This is why Formula 1 cars have more power than torque: They are very light, so torque is not as necessary, unlike speed.
Can You Increase and Restore Your Car’s Horsepower?
There are several ways to increase horsepower. Some of them include:
- Use fuel additives: You can use fuel additives to clean and refresh the car engine. The system cleaners ensure that they burn the fuel as efficiently as possible. It is also an effective way to restore engine performance and horsepower.
- Install a turbocharger: Updating and installing a turbocharger is a great way to improve the overall torque, horsepower and performance of a car.
- Regularly clean the air filters: Keeping a check on your car’s regular maintenance can also improve its performance. Cleaning a car’s engine air filter is one of the basic ways to ensure better engine performance. Here is how you can change the car’s air filter.
That’s the wrap of our guide on what horsepower is and how you can improve it. If you want to know about other car terminologies, then give this guide a read.
Those who are planning to buy a used car in the UAE, don’t forget to check the owner’s manual for the car’s horsepower. Following a car maintenance checklist ensures the optimum performance of the car, this is why it is important to clean the car’s air filter to maintain and restore the engine horsepower.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s popular car blogs to know more about car maintenance.
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