car on 3 cylinders

"GerantSmythe" > writes:

>Is it a good idea to run a car on 3 cylinders? How long will the engine
>last doing this? I have noticed about a 30% decrease in fuel efficiency.

For a regular 4 cylinder engine, that's to be expected as with one less
cylinder firing, you automatically lose 25 percent of the rated output, but
it'll be a bit more due to the extra work the other three cylinders need to
do to overcome the mechanical imbalances one non-firing cylinder induces.

I've noticed some car makers advertising they make their new car designs
more 'efficient' by shutting down some cylinders, but I expect there is some
special design feature that makes it possible without affecting the
engine's mechanical stability.

Craig.

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