Piston Class

The learning path

  1. Engine BasicsHow an engine turns fuel and air into power, and how that power reaches the wheels.
  2. The engine in more detailThe parts inside, how they are timed, and how the engine is fuelled and managed.
  3. Forced inductionHow turbos and superchargers push in more air, and what that costs.
  4. Getting the power to the roadClutches, gearboxes, differentials and which wheels get driven.
  5. Suspension and handlingSprings, dampers and geometry, and why a car understeers or oversteers.
  6. Tyres and gripWhere grip comes from, how tyres are sized and what pressures do.
  7. BrakesHow a braking system stops the car, and what upgrades really change.
  8. Electronics and modern carsThe electrical system, control modules and the driver aids that ride on them.
  9. Performance and modificationWhere extra power really comes from, and how to make mods work together.
  10. Understanding performancePower-to-weight, aerodynamics and what makes a car quick around a track.
See the whole learning path

How cars work, and what modding them changes

Free, interactive lessons for beginners and improvers. Watch the parts move, then see what a mod really does.

Begin learning
SuspensionEngineBrakes

Your learning path

Ten levels, from engine basics to what makes a car fast. Start at the flag, or jump to whatever you're curious about.

  1. Level 1Engine Basics

    How an engine turns fuel and air into power, and how that power reaches the wheels.

    14 lessons

    1. How an engine makes powerBeginner · 7 minYou are here
    2. How power gets to the wheelsBeginner · 8 minYou are here
    3. Horsepower vs torqueBeginner · 8 minYou are here
    4. Naturally aspirated vs turbocharged vs superchargedBeginner · 8 minYou are here
    5. Cylinders, cylinder layouts and firing ordersBeginner · 7 minYou are here
    6. RPM: what it actually meansBeginner · 6 minYou are here
    7. What happens when you press the acceleratorBeginner · 6 minYou are here
    8. What an ECU doesBeginner · 7 minYou are here
    9. How fuel gets into the engineBeginner · 6 minYou are here
    10. How an engine gets airBeginner · 7 minYou are here
    11. How an engine gets rid of exhaust gasesBeginner · 7 minYou are here
    12. How ignition worksBeginner · 7 minYou are here
    13. Why engines need coolingBeginner · 7 minYou are here
    14. Why engines need oilBeginner · 7 minYou are here

  2. Level 2The engine in more detail

    The parts inside, how they are timed, and how the engine is fuelled and managed.

    14 lessons

    1. Pistons, connecting rods and the crankshaftIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    2. The cylinder head and valvesIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    3. Camshafts and valve timingIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    4. Timing belts vs timing chainsIntermediate · 8 minYou are here
    5. Variable valve timingIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    6. Compression ratio explainedIntermediate · 8 minYou are here
    7. Air-fuel ratiosIntermediate · 8 minYou are here
    8. Octane: what it actually meansIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    9. Fuel injection: port vs direct injectionIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    10. Throttle bodies and electronic throttlesIntermediate · 8 minYou are here
    11. Intake manifoldsIntermediate · 8 minYou are here
    12. Exhaust manifoldsIntermediate · 8 minYou are here
    13. Catalytic convertersIntermediate · 8 minYou are here
    14. Oxygen sensors and other engine sensorsIntermediate · 9 minYou are here

  3. Level 3Forced induction

    How turbos and superchargers push in more air, and what that costs.

    9 lessons

    1. Why forced induction makes more powerIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    2. How a turbocharger worksIntermediate · 10 minYou are here
    3. WastegatesIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    4. Blow-off valves and diverter valvesIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    5. IntercoolersIntermediate · 10 minYou are here
    6. Twin-scroll turbochargersIntermediate · 9 minYou are here
    7. Variable geometry turbosIntermediate · 8 minYou are here
    8. How superchargers workIntermediate · 10 minYou are here
    9. Turbo vs superchargerIntermediate · 6 minYou are here

  4. Level 4Getting the power to the road

    Clutches, gearboxes, differentials and which wheels get driven.

    Lessons coming soon

  5. Level 5Suspension and handling

    Springs, dampers and geometry, and why a car understeers or oversteers.

    Lessons coming soon

  6. Level 6Tyres and grip

    Where grip comes from, how tyres are sized and what pressures do.

    Lessons coming soon

  7. Level 7Brakes

    How a braking system stops the car, and what upgrades really change.

    Lessons coming soon

  8. Level 8Electronics and modern cars

    The electrical system, control modules and the driver aids that ride on them.

    Lessons coming soon

  9. Level 9Performance and modification

    Where extra power really comes from, and how to make mods work together.

    Lessons coming soon

  10. Level 10Understanding performance

    Power-to-weight, aerodynamics and what makes a car quick around a track.

    Lessons coming soon