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3-cylinder engines have been gaining ground in the Brazilian automotive market, and many consumers wonder which is the best 3-cylinder engine to invest in for durability and ease of maintenance, especially when purchasing used vehicles.
The growing popularity of cars with 3-cylinder engines raises a common question among consumers: after all, which are the best 3-cylinder engines in terms of durability and reliability? To answer this question, mechanical expert Vitor Hugo, with over 15 years of experience in engine repair, shared his technical analysis of the engines that, over the years, have demonstrated good durability and those that, unfortunately, face more problems.
The best 3-cylinder engines in Brazil
1. Volkswagen
According to Vitor Hugo, the 3-cylinder Volkswagen engine, found in models such as Up, Fox, Gol, Voyage and T-Cross, is one of the most durable. This engine has a simple timing belt, which, unlike oil-bathed belts, requires maintenance every 120 km, but offers easy and economical replacement. “Despite having direct injection, which may require repairs in older models, this engine rarely appears in reconditioners, which proves its durability,” says Vitor.
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2. Fiat Firefly 1.0 engine
Fiat's Firefly 3-cylinder engine, found in models such as the Mobi and Argo, also stands out for its reliability. This engine is the only one with only two valves per cylinder, prioritizing torque at low revs, and is also equipped with a timing chain, which eliminates the need for periodic replacements. “In practice, this engine hardly ever needs to be rebuilt and is a great example of durability and easy maintenance,” explains Vitor.
3 Hyundai
The Hyundai HB20 engine also receives praise from Vitor, considering it a reliable choice for those looking for a used car. Equipped with a timing chain and indirect injection, the Hyundai engine has a low frequency of problems and is easy to maintain. “It is more common in reconditioning than Fiat and Volkswagen engines, but it is still a very reliable engine,” he comments.
The worst
1. Ford Ka
The Ford Ka's 3-cylinder engine tops the list of the most problematic engines. According to Vitor Hugo, the oil-immersed belt in this engine is one of the biggest problems, as its premature wear can lead to engine failure. In addition, the Ka's cooling system is considered more fragile. "This is the 3-cylinder engine that we see most in the reconditioning shop. parts are easy to find, but the durability is questionable,” warns Vitor.
2 Renault
Although the Renault 3-cylinder engine is not very common in repair shops, Vitor expresses his dissatisfaction with the difficulty of finding spare parts, especially outside of large urban centers. He points out that the service at Renault dealerships makes it difficult to access parts, which discourages mechanics and repair shops from recommending these models.
3. GM (Chevrolet Onix)
The Chevrolet Onix's 3-cylinder engine is another that, despite being durable, faces the problem of an oil-soaked belt. Vitor points out that if the vehicle owner uses the correct oil, the belt can last up to 240 km, but lack of proper maintenance can cause major problems. He recommends that buyers of used Onix perform a preventive belt change to avoid surprises.
For those looking for durability and easy maintenance, the Volkswagen, Fiat or Hyundai engine are reliable and high-performance options. However, as Vitor Hugo warns, any 3-cylinder engine requires special care and proper maintenance to ensure its longevity. “The secret lies in choosing the right engine and using the correct oils and parts, in addition to preventive maintenance,” concludes the specialist.
Bahhh, saying that the GM engine is the worst already shows that you haven't informed yourself at all, even more so saying that if the owner doesn't do the correct maintenance the belt won't last kkkkk And putting Hyundai and Fiat as improvements kkkkk
I have a 3-cylinder Onix and I'm really bothered about it and I'm trying to sell it and it's losing almost 50%
Think about the regret of having bought it, what is really good about the Onix is the aesthetics and comfort.
I have a 2017 Ka with 110 thousand km and I have no problems!! I only have it serviced at Ford, I have no problems at all! I'm going to exchange it for a newer one!! Put in the correct oil that the manufacturer recommends and that's it.
I have one just like yours, what is the correct oil for it? Let me know.
I agree because I had a Ford Ka sedan and it was a problem.
Good morning, I have a three-cylinder Ford Ka. I had it rebuilt twice and there was no way... I had to buy one from Ford. On Ibirapuera Avenue I paid R$19.500,00, it's a real rip-off from Ford and Chevrolet selling these worthless engines, Onix, Traker, Ka, only for God's sake!
The columnist forgot that the Polo TSi's 3-cylinder engine is the same as the T-Cross.
I have a 1.0 Ford Ka 3 2020 cylinder and it hasn't given me any problems, not even with the water or the belt, thank God, I hope it doesn't give me any problems and it already has 105 thousand km.
I would like to know which is the correct oil for me to use. In the Ford Ka because I have one and I haven't changed it yet because I bought it recently. What is the correct oil to use?
Read the Manual which has all the oil specifications that can be used