Glossary / General

load

8 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

“Load” means the engine is actually doing work—like pulling a car or driving under throttle. More load usually creates better combustion conditions, while long no-load idling can cause the cylinder surface to glaze instead of seating the rings.

Technical Definition

In engine terms, “load” is the resistance the engine is working against, which increases cylinder pressure and combustion conditions. The speaker’s point is that load helps generate the pressure needed to burn fuel effectively, whereas long no-load idling can lead to poor ring seating and cylinder glazing.

Hear It Discussed

"Not if you unplug it, you're going to have great voltage. But when it's under a load, you're going to have to measure it with the load on it and operating."
Car Repair Advice Live Taking Your Calls from the Experts Under The Hood show 50:52

"don't think uh all the bearman's suggestion was that it doesn't necessarily add load but it just transforms the car characteristics"
In-Car Insights: We discuss Friday's F1 action in Belgium The Race F1 Podcast 19:36

"uh-huh something's going to give so air conditioning puts it what we call a load on your vehicle's engine and so it will tax the cooling system"
Heat Reveals Every Weakness : 5 Summer Vehicle Failures That Can Cost You Thousands Car Connection Workshop 30:47