Why You May Not Want Just Any 4-Cylinder Engine in Your Car

Your Next Car’s Engine Type

The primary reason for the creation of 4-cylinder engines is that of fuel economy. They are significantly lighter and more compact making them a sensible substitution for a 6- or 8-cylinder vehicle that has to be larger and heavier to support the extra weight of a bigger engine.

And because fuel economy is so important, a lot of models of cars to choose from today are built with a 4-cylinder engine. While a 4-cyclinder engine might seem a little on the tame side when it comes to your ride, the addition of a turbocharger to many of the models provides the zip and performance found in a larger engine car.

Related article: The Truth About Turbo Engine Reliability from This Car Shopping Expert

When it comes to choices such as choosing the engine type you want in your next vehicle, there are no simple, hard and fast rules to base your buying decision on because of the pluses and minuses that come with automotive tech---unless of course, you are a die-hard vintage V8 enthusiast. Then it’s just a matter of the make.

But back to economy cars as an example, in an earlier article we learned about the pros and cons of choosing a four-cylinder turbo over a typical six-cylinder and vice versa. Turbos can be problematic and expensive, but when maintained, serviced, and repaired correctly can last longer than many anecdotal stories would have you believe…especially when it comes to addressing the Ford EcoBoost engine oil breakdown problem as one example.

There Is a Difference
However, if you are set on buying a 4-cylinder economy car you need to know the basics about the 3 engine types focused on the arrangement of their cylinders i.e., 4-cylinder inline, V-4, and the Boxer. Why? Because each type has its own set of problems that crop-up from year to year with each model and it helps to understand used car reviews that point to specific engine problems and what you might expect in any model based on its engine type.

To help you learn the basics of the three 4-cylinder engine types, here is a recent and informative Scotty Kilmer YouTube channel episode that discusses the pros and cons of the three 4-cylinder engine types and what it means when shopping for an economy car.

This New 4 Cylinder Engine Just Killed the Future of V8 Engines

And finally…

For more about smaller engine vehicles, here are a few popular articles for your consideration:

• Everything You Need to Know About Toyota's New 4-Cylinder Turbo Engine

• Ford 4-Cylinder EcoBoost Engines are Failing Says Ford Mechanic

• Used Hybrids and Hatchbacks with the Best Fuel Economy Say Consumer Reports Analysts

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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