Editing Four-stroke engine (section)

{{Short description|Internal combustion engine type}}
{{Use dmy dates |date=January 2020}}
[[File:4StrokeEngine Ortho 3D Small.gif|thumb|right|300px|Four-stroke cycle used in gasoline/petrol engines: intake (1), compression (2), power (3), and exhaust (4). The right blue side is the intake port and the left brown side is the exhaust port. The cylinder wall is a thin sleeve surrounding the piston head which creates a space for the combustion of fuel and the genesis of mechanical energy.]]
A '''four-stroke''' (also '''four-cycle''') '''engine''' is an [[internal combustion]] (IC) engine in which the [[piston]] completes four separate strokes while turning the crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travel of the piston along the cylinder, in either direction. The four separate strokes are termed:
#'''Intake''': Also known as induction or suction. This stroke of the piston begins at top dead center (T.D.C.) and ends at bottom dead center (B.D.C.). In this stroke the intake valve must be in the open position while the piston pulls an air-fuel mixture into the cylinder by producing a partial vacuum (negative pressure) in the cylinder through its downward motion. 
#'''Compression''': This stroke begins at B.D.C, or just at the end of the suction stroke, and ends at T.D.C.  In this stroke the piston compresses the air-fuel mixture in preparation for ignition during the power stroke  (below). Both the intake and exhaust valves are closed during this stage.
#'''Combustion''': Also known as power or ignition. This is the start of the second revolution of the four stroke cycle. At this point the crankshaft has completed a full 360 degree revolution. While the piston is at T.D.C. (the end of the compression stroke) the compressed air-fuel mixture is ignited by a [[spark plug]] (in a gasoline engine) or by heat generated by high compression (diesel engines), forcefully returning the piston to B.D.C. This stroke produces mechanical work from the engine to turn the crankshaft.
#'''Exhaust''': Also known as outlet. During the ''exhaust'' stroke, the piston, once again, returns from B.D.C. to T.D.C. while the exhaust valve is open. This action expels the spent air-fuel mixture through the exhaust port.

Four-stroke engines are the most common internal combustion engine design for motorized land transport,<ref name="most">{{cite web|url=https://www.uti.edu/blog/motorcycle/how-4-stroke-engines-work|title=4-STROKE ENGINES: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOW DO THEY WORK?|publisher=UTI|date=May 5, 2020|access-date=November 19, 2021}}</ref> being used in [[automobile]]s, [[truck]]s, diesel [[train]]s, light [[aircraft]] and [[motorcycle]]s.  The major alternative design is the [[two-stroke cycle]].<ref name="most"/>