What term refers to the order in which each cylinder fires in a multi-cylinder engine?

• A. Firing Order
• B. Cranking Order
• C. Combustion Order
• D. Stroke Order

Answer: (A)

Firing order is the sequence in which each cylinder delivers a power stroke as the crankshaft turns. This order is chosen to balance the engine’s rotating forces and to coordinate spark timing with valve timing and exhaust flow, producing smooth operation and efficient exhaust scavenging. It’s different from the cranking order, which is how the starter engages cylinders to start the engine, and from the piston’s stroke cycle, which is the intake/compression/power/exhaust sequence inside a single cylinder.