# What is torque in a car? ## Quick answer Torque is the twisting force an engine or electric motor produces, which is what gets a car moving and helps it accelerate and tow. ## What is Torque? Torque is a measure of twisting force, the same kind of force you use to turn a wrench. In a car, it is the force the engine or motor puts on the crankshaft or drive shaft. In the US it is usually listed in pound-feet (lb-ft), while many other countries use newton-meters (Nm). One lb-ft is about 1.36 Nm. More torque at low engine speeds means strong pulling power from a stop and when towing. Diesel engines, turbocharged engines and electric motors are known for strong low-speed torque. A torque curve shows how much torque an engine makes at each speed, and a broad, flat curve makes a vehicle feel strong without revving hard. The transmission multiplies torque. In first gear, the engine's torque is multiplied many times before it reaches the wheels, which is why low gears pull hard but run out of speed quickly. Higher gears trade that pulling force for speed and better fuel economy at cruise. Horsepower is related but different. Horsepower is torque multiplied by engine speed, so it describes how much work the engine can do over time, which matters more for top speed and fast acceleration at higher speeds. The word torque also shows up in repair work, where bolts such as lug nuts must be tightened to a specified torque with a torque wrench. ## How it works 1. Burning fuel pushes the pistons down, which twists the crankshaft. That twisting force is torque. 2. The transmission multiplies torque in low gears to get the car moving. 3. Engine torque changes with engine speed and usually peaks in a certain rpm range. 4. Electric motors can make strong torque from a standstill, which is why EVs feel quick off the line. ## Types of Torque | Type | What it is | | --- | --- | | Engine torque | The twisting force at the crankshaft, usually listed as a peak figure at a certain rpm, such as 250 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm. | | Wheel torque | Engine torque after it has been multiplied by the transmission and final drive gears; it is much higher in low gears. | | Electric motor torque | Available almost instantly from a stop, which gives many EVs strong off-the-line acceleration. | | Fastener torque | The tightening specification for bolts and nuts, such as lug nuts, set with a torque wrench in lb-ft or Nm. | ## Common Torque problems - Lug nuts tightened by feel or with an impact gun instead of to the specified torque, which can cause loose wheels or brake rotor runout. - Lower-than-normal pulling power from misfires, a clogged exhaust or a boost leak on turbo engines. - Torque converter shudder in automatic transmissions, felt as vibration at light throttle. - Drivetrain clunks from worn engine or transmission mounts that move under torque. - Towing beyond the rated capacity, which strains the engine, transmission, brakes and cooling. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is torque or horsepower more important? It depends on what you need. Torque matters most for towing and pulling from a stop, while horsepower matters more for acceleration at higher speeds and top speed. For everyday driving, a broad spread of torque at low rpm often makes a car feel more responsive than a high peak horsepower figure. ### What is a good amount of torque for towing? There is no single number, because towing ability depends on the whole vehicle, including the frame, brakes, cooling, hitch and gearing. Always use the tow rating in your owner's manual, and remember that passengers and cargo count toward the vehicle's total weight limits. ### What does lb-ft mean? Lb-ft means pound-feet, the US unit for torque. It is the force of one pound applied at the end of a one-foot lever. So 200 lb-ft is the same twisting force as 200 pounds pushing on a one-foot wrench, or 100 pounds on a two-foot wrench. ### Why do electric cars have so much torque? Electric motors can deliver their maximum torque from zero or very low speed, without waiting for the engine to rev up. That gives many EVs quick, smooth acceleration from a stop. Their power usually tapers off at higher speeds, much like a gas engine past its peak. ### Why do diesel engines have more torque? Diesel engines usually have a long piston stroke, high compression and turbochargers, which together produce strong twisting force at low engine speeds. That makes them well suited to towing and hauling. They usually rev lower than gas engines, so their horsepower figures can look modest by comparison. ### How do I convert lb-ft to Nm? Multiply pound-feet by about 1.36 to get newton-meters, or multiply newton-meters by about 0.74 to get pound-feet. So 300 Nm is roughly 221 lb-ft. Torque wrenches and repair manuals often show both units, which helps avoid mistakes when tightening bolts to a specification. ### What does peak torque at a certain rpm mean? It means the engine makes its highest torque at that engine speed. An engine rated at 250 lb-ft at 1,600 rpm pulls hard early, while one rated at 6,000 rpm needs revving to reach its best. Many turbo engines hold peak torque across a wide rpm range. ### Why does lug nut torque matter? Lug nuts tightened too little can loosen and let a wheel come off, while nuts tightened too much can stretch studs and distort brake rotors. Use a torque wrench and the specification in your owner's manual, tighten in a star pattern and recheck after a short drive. ### Does more torque mean faster acceleration? More torque usually helps, especially from a stop, but acceleration also depends on gearing, vehicle weight, traction and horsepower. A heavy truck with high torque can feel slower than a lighter car with less. Look at both torque and horsepower along with vehicle weight. ### What is torque steer? Torque steer is a pull on the steering wheel when accelerating hard in a powerful front-wheel-drive car. It happens when the two front axles or tires handle the engine's torque unevenly. Uneven tire wear, worn mounts or mismatched tires can make it worse. ## Sources - [fueleconomy.gov (US DOE and EPA)](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/) ## Related terms - [Horsepower](https://diagxcar.com/glossary/horsepower) - [CVT](https://diagxcar.com/glossary/cvt) - [All-wheel drive](https://diagxcar.com/glossary/all-wheel-drive) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/glossary/torque Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.