Browse through a car review website, and you’ll see a lot of different numbers. Between the number of cylinders in the engine, the estimated number of miles per gallon the car can get, and the liters of the engine, it’s easy to get confused about what they all mean. If you’re wondering what the liters mean in an engine specification, read on to find out.

Engine Displacement

An engine measurement is done by displacement, or the total volume of all the cylinders that it contains. Without getting too deep into equations, you can review an example. A four-cylinder engine in which each cylinder measures 569 cc produces a total displacement of 2276 cc. Auto manufacturers round the number to make it easier to read and understand, so this engine would be a 2.3-liter.

Differences in Numbers

When the number of liters is higher, the engine tends to be able to produce more power and torque. The drawback to a higher-liter engine is that it will burn more fuel because it has more cylinders operating to pump fuel through the components. So if you’re looking for a fuel efficiency vehicle, stick with one with an engine that has a lower number of liters.

Factoring in Turbochargers

With a turbocharger, an engine can operate similarly to one with a higher number of cylinders or liters without using as much fuel. This device helps to boost the engine power in a more gentle and slow manner. Some manufacturers spell out the word “turbocharged” in the vehicle’s specs, while others simply add a T after the number of liters, such as 2.0T.

Various numbers can make a car review confusing, but now you know what the liters actually mean.

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