ASVAB · Engine Basics and the Four-Stroke Cycle

In a four-stroke engine, what are the four strokes in the correct order?

Correct answer

Intake, compression, power, exhaust

  1. A Intake, compression, power, exhaust
  2. B Compression, intake, exhaust, power
  3. C Power, exhaust, intake, compression
  4. D Intake, power, compression, exhaust

Why this is the answer

The four strokes of a four-stroke engine, in order, are: Intake (the piston moves down, drawing in the air-fuel mixture), Compression (the piston moves up, compressing the mixture), Power (the spark ignites the mixture, forcing the piston down), and Exhaust (the piston moves up, pushing out the burned gases). A common memory aid is 'Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow.' Each stroke is one movement of the piston, and the cycle repeats continuously. Knowing the correct order of the four strokes is one of the most fundamental Auto Information topics.
Source: ASVAB Auto Information — Four-Stroke Cycle