Explain Like I'm Five | Don't Panic!

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eli5: How do car engines last so long? (lemmit.online)

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The original was posted on /r/explainlikeimfive by /u/Huge_Plenty4818 on 2023-10-02 03:32:11.

A car engine basically has thousands of mini explosions happening inside of it, is has parts moving very fast and generating tons of heat, and experiences extreme temperature fluctuations on a daily basis. Yet it is the part that usually dies last in a car.

How do they make them last so long and why are we unable to make other parts of the car as long lasting, such as tires and brakes?

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[–] Amilo1591 1 points 2 years ago

Proper lubrication combined with specifically designed parts that keep working while slowly wearing out (piston rings and sleeves). It also helps that whole thing is designed by engineers and perfected over 100 years.