I didn't know this

Freebeer187

The Bolt Rounder
Feb 2, 2009
5,334
10
Schaumburg
I was talking with one of my engineer friends and we were talking about cars (go figure). I was talking about a car and said motor to describe the cars engine.

He told me that a motor is reserved for electrical powered devices, or a device that creates its power from an external power source, and a engine is strictly internal combustion.

This guy from google explains it a lil better:
An engine uses an internal power source to acheive work.
A motor uses an external power source to acheive work.

Did everyone know this except me? Ive been calling engines motors and never knew this.
 

TommyGloves

TCG Elite Member
TCG Premium
Aug 23, 2007
5,867
495
CHICAGO
Real Name
Tom Glover
I became aware of this a few years back when a friend of mine called me out on it. I said something about "my motor" and he said "you mean your engine?" blah blah blah.

He said NASCAR people call engines "motors". :rofl:

I still I use them interchangeably all the time though.
 
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