Here's a breakdown of what that means:
* 1: The piston in cylinder #1 fires first.
* 3: The piston in cylinder #3 fires next.
* 4: The piston in cylinder #4 fires after cylinder #3.
* 2: The piston in cylinder #2 fires last.
Why this order?
This firing order is designed to:
* Balance the engine: It ensures that the engine's forces are evenly distributed, reducing vibrations and improving smoothness.
* Maximize power and efficiency: The staggered firing order allows for smoother power delivery and helps create more consistent torque.
* Minimize stress on the crankshaft: The sequence helps distribute stress evenly on the crankshaft, preventing premature wear.
Other firing orders:
While 1-3-4-2 is the most common, some 4-cylinder engines use other firing orders, such as:
* 1-2-4-3
However, these are less common and are usually used for specific engine designs or performance applications.
How to find the firing order of your specific engine:
The best way to determine the firing order for your engine is to consult your owner's manual or search online using your engine's make, model, and year.