Terminology - Motor vs. Engine

[Underwood Tire]

What about a train engine? They're electric... ... ... . :-laf

 

[mberry]

If it's an engine, why do they call it "motor oil"? I was taught motor=electric. I don't have an electric motor in my truck, so why do I need to change the motor oil?

 

[fest3er]

If it's an engine, why do they call it "motor oil"? I was taught motor=electric. I don't have an electric motor in my truck, so why do I need to change the motor oil?

Possibly because they used the same oil in engines that they'd been using in motors?

 

[Matt400]

Definition: Motor (Meaning of Motor)

Motor 1

Definition: One who, or that which, imparts motion; a source of mechanical power.



Motor 2

Definition: A prime mover; a machine by means of which a source of power, as steam, moving water, electricity, etc. , is made available for doing mechanical work.





Motor 3

Definition: Alt. of Motorial





motor 4

Definition: machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion





motor 5

Definition: a nonspecific agent that imparts motion; "happiness is the aim of all men and the motor of all action"





motor 6

Definition: travel or be transported in a vehicle; "We drove to the university every morning"; "They motored to London for the theater"





motor 7

Definition: causing or able to cause motion; "a motive force"; "motive power"; "motor energy"

 

[Dieselnut59]

How about a MOTORcycle? Shouldn't it be called an "Enginecycle" using these definitions?

It would look kinda funny to see the Harley Davidson logo as:

Engine

Harley Davidson

Cycles

 

[Boehler]

Turn off motor

Sign at diesel pump at TA Truckstop says, "Turn off motor when fueling. "

 

[DaveHess]

I had a jet engine mechanic correct me one day by simply telling me, "motors are electric, engines are mechanical". Never forgot that. That and she was a rather good looking blonde jet engine mechanic. So I may have a skewed vision of this debate... .....

 

[Dieselnut59]

Then I suppose I do after all have a 1995 Harley Davidson Heritage SoftTail Enginecycle!

 

[rbattelle]

Here's TSC sort-of calling this electric motor an "engine". Notice the phrase, "... as rated by the engine manufacturer".



[They also use the term RPMs... . shouldn't that be R'sPM? :-laf]



Ryan

 

[Matt400]

Probably a poor choice of wording by the advertiser. That particular company does manufacture electrical components for engines though.

 

[dresslered]

motor or engine

I'm an electrical engineeer, and without using the fancy definitions, if it is electric we call it a motor and if it is combustion, we call it an engine.



Outside of work, I go back to my high-school mentality and love for English cars and now everything under the hood is a motor (UK). But then I guess I should be saying under the bonnet? In front of the windscreen? In between the front skirts?

 

[Pavemen]

and engine is a motor but a motor is not an engine

much like a square is a rectangle, but a rectangle is not a square