When you buy a car, the first thing to look at is the specifications in the car’s brochure. Many people know what kind of engine a car has just by looking at it, while others need to have a proper breakdown of what these specs mean.

  • Engine – You will only get three types of engines. In this case, electric hybrids will be excluded. The two main types of engines you’ll get are diesel and gasoline options. Each one has a completely different configuration from the other, such as the construction of the ignition system.

  • Cylinders – This is the number of cylinders found inside the chamber. The smallest cars have four cylinders, while the most powerful engines used on race tracks will have twelve cylinders. Cars will sometimes be described as having an “inline-six”, meaning all cylinders are in a single line, as opposed to V-types and horizontal configurations.

  • Offset: On most cars you’ll notice there’s a number like this: 1.4 or 2.0 etc. This is the number of liters the car will use in a single cycle. The bikes will have a number like this for example: 800cc; which means eight hundred cubic centimeters.

  • Transmission: There is a four-speed transmission, a five-speed transmission, etc. The number indicates how many gears can be put on your car. There is also manual transmission and automatic transmission, which are two different driving systems.

  • Power – Many car owners will know the power of the car using the unit Horsepower. In simple terms, one horsepower would be the equivalent of one horsepower. So imagine what power you will have if the car has 700 hp. That is a very fast car.

  • Fuel Tank Capacity – This is a pretty straightforward spec. This is the amount of fuel that the fuel tank can hold. In other words, it could be a 30 liter tank or a 40 liter tank it depends. It will depend on the particular type and size of the car. This helps you understand how much fuel you can use on a full tank so you can plan your fuel budget.

  • Drivetrain: Your car will be FWD (front wheel drive), RWD (rear wheel drive), or 4×4 (four wheel drive). Keep in mind that a four-wheel drive does not mean that the car is an off-road vehicle, rather that power is sent to all wheels and tires. Front wheel drive means that power is applied to the front wheels. With FWD, the car must be towed. Rear-wheel drive sends power to the rear wheels, which means the car is being pushed.