Many professional drivers, or those who simply are driving aficionados, like to compare and contrast the horsepower and torque of a vehicle. This ratio affects driving – which in turn, affects the likelihood of potential breakdowns based on the amount of strain a vehicle is put under versus its natural capabilities. In this blog post, the towing experts at Towing Chicago will detail the differences between torque and horsepower in cars and trucks.
Horsepower
Horsepower is the amount of power produced by a car’s engine. A single horsepower is the power that will be needed to transport 550 pounds over 1 foot in 1 second. Horsepower is measured with technology called dynamometers. You can calculate a vehicle’s ‘Gross Horsepower’ a testing criteria which takes all the loads out of the engine (including emission control technology) before testing, or ‘Net Horsepower’ which is the amount commonly used in advertisement for the vehicles.
Torque
Torque is an more easily measured rotating force that can possibly cause motion – specifically measured as the amount of force multiplied by how long the lever through which it is activated is. If ten pounds of force is placed on a surface with a lever that’s a foot long, you can say that ten feet-pounds of torque is being brought up.
Torque VS. Horsepower
The relationship between torque and horsepower is complicated. The general formula is measured through multiplying the torque against the revolutions per minute of the tire, and then dividing it by 5,252. This equals the horsepower. A car’s design will determine how easily torque and horsepower can work with each other. Torque is basically the work the engine is doing itself, while horsepower is the rate at which this work is being done. Torque is basically an energy potential, which is then made manifest through motion through the work of the vehicle’s transmission and axles. Torque and horsepower are two different ways of measuring the power of a vehicle.
