The evolution of automobiles has seen the rise and fall of various terms but there are some metrics that have stood the tides of transformation. Horsepower and torque are two such terms that are to this day widely used by automakers and marketers, but not many readers are still clear about what these terms mean and their significance when it comes to making a buying decision. That is the reason why, in this blog post, we discuss what each of these mean and why you should know about them when looking to buy wrecked trucks for sale. Read on.
Horsepower
Overview
In simple terms, horsepower is a unit to measure power. The roots of the term go back to 1702, when Thomas Savery, an English engineer, first used the term in his work, when he had to draw a comparison between the outputs of horses and steam engines, as the latter were to be proposed as an alternative to the former.
Application in Automobiles
While the term has different applications in different modern-day fields, in the automotive world, it is used to measure the power of engines. Having said that, when it comes to buying a car or comparing your options, taking note of the horsepower is as important as considering the power to weight ratios of the cars.
Torque
Also called ‘moment of force’, ‘rotational force’ or simply ‘moment’, depending upon the field, torque is the rotational equivalent of linear force. Introduced in formal literature by James Thomson, a British engineer and physicist, torque is basically used to measure the force of rotational motion or the work it can carry out.
Application in Automobiles
In case of automobiles, torque is used to quantify the power output of an engine, which is presented along with the rotational speed (RPM) of the axis at which the peak performance is achieved. Most mass-produced vehicles typically generate 100 to 400 lb-ft of torque, which is created when the pistons reciprocate up and down on the crankshaft, causing it to rotate. This force is then channeled to the wheels through the car’s transmission system.
Wrap Up
Horsepower and torque are two terms that are often misunderstood by car buyers, often making them take wrong buying decisions. It is, therefore, important to clear all your doubts about the specifications of the car you plan to buy, before you sign on the dotted line. If you find yourself in doubt, our team of customer support specialists will be happy to help. As a trusted online auto auction platform featuring wrecked trucks for sale, we leave no stone unturned to ensure you get optimum value for your money and an absolutely seamless experience. To discuss your requirements or learn more about any of the salvage title trucks for sale featured in our inventory, simply call +1 (360) 347-1300, Monday through Friday, 6am to 3pm (Pacific Standard Time), or email support@salvagebid.com.