How To Tell The Difference Between Horsepower And Torque

Engines produce horsepower and torque when you turn your vehicle on and press the accelerator. When air and fuel ignite within the combustion chambers, the crankshaft, transmission, and drive axles work in sync to produce energy. Though they both work in tandem to power your vehicle, there are differences between the two. Let’s take a look at several of those differences.

Both Measure Different Things

Torque is simply a way to measure the rotational force within your vehicle’s engine at the crankshaft. Horsepower measures the amount of power that is transferred from the engine to the wheels. That measurement is based on the weight of your vehicle, the distance it moves, and the time that it takes to cover the distance. To calculate horsepower, multiply the torque by the rotations per minute.

Torque Matters When Towing

If you plan to tow or haul anything with your vehicle then torque is vital to how much your vehicle can handle. Torque helps your vehicle start and is essential to keep your vehicle running smoothly when you have a heavy load. Torque will be more important than horsepower if you have a heavy-duty truck. You might take a bit to fully accelerate, but the low-end power of torque will help you tow and haul much more.

Horsepower Equals Performance

Vehicles that boast of high horsepower center around speed and power. The higher the horsepower, the faster it will go. This depends on the vehicle’s size, of course. A sedan might have the same horsepower as a sports car, but it won’t go as fast because the sports car is much lighter. Horsepower does rely on torque as vehicles need the right balance between the two to properly function.

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They Work Differently for Acceleration

Your vehicle accelerates as a result of a combination of torque and horsepower. However, they help out in different ways when it come to how you accelerate. Torque helps your vehicle begin moving when you initially press the gas, and horsepower helps you get up to and maintain speed as you drive.

When you are shopping for a new vehicle, be sure to take a look under the hood and take a look at the vehicle’s specs. It’s important to have a basic understanding of how the vehicle operates before making a final decision.

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