How to measure engine performance | OK Carz

2017 Ford Super Duty pulling a horse trailer through an empty field

What is the difference between torque and horsepower? 

When you’re looking for a new vehicle, it is easy to get confused about what you should be looking for. While commercials for trucks and SUVs all tout impressive performance figures to try to grab your interest, you might not know exactly what the numbers are supposed to mean, which could leave you with a vehicle that doesn’t fit your needs. Before you make any decisions on which vehicle you’re going to buy, take a moment to learn a little bit about horsepower and torque.  

While some commercials might have you believe otherwise, horsepower and torque are both equally important to helping your vehicle move. Though the focus is generally on horsepower, the first measurement that is determined is the torque of the vehicle. When used in an automotive context, torque generally refers to the potential energy that can be expended, which translates to the amount of work that can be done. So, if you’re looking for a vehicle with towing potential, the vehicle you end up choosing will likely have a high torque rating.  

[Related: Is it better to buy a teenage driver a larger vehicle?]

Why is horsepower so important in a vehicle? 

Engine in a 2018 Ford Explorer against a gray background

In order to determine horsepower, the torque of the engine is measured against a dynamometer, which places a load on an engine and then measures the power produced against the load. This determines the torque, which is multiplied by the rotations per minute and divided by 5,252 to find the horsepower rating. The horsepower of a vehicle is often what is used to see how fast a vehicle is, which is why horsepower is mentioned not only in commercials for trucks but also in sports car advertisements.  

Even if you aren’t looking for a vehicle that is going to break the sound barrier or tow a loaded-down trailer, horsepower and torque can tell you if the model you’re considering will be able to provide the speed that you need, even if you’re just driving on the highway. Whether you’re looking for a high-powered performance machine or a daily grocery getter, you’ll be able to find a variety of used vehicles with different performance options when you visit OkCarz.  

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