Increasing the number of cylinders generally affects engine smoothness in what way?

• A. Increased vibrations
• B. Reduced power per cylinder
• C. Smoother operation
• D. Higher emissions

Answer: (C)

Increasing the number of cylinders makes the engine run more smoothly because it spreads the power pulses over more events. In a four-stroke engine, each cylinder fires once every two crankshaft revolutions. With more cylinders, those firing events are more frequent and their torque contributions are smaller in amplitude, so the overall torque delivered to the crankshaft changes more evenly from one moment to the next. Proper firing order and balance also help cancel out opposing forces, further reducing vibrations. If total displacement stays the same, each cylinder has less individual power, but the engine feels steadier because the torque ripple is reduced, producing smoother operation.