In older cars, the ______ controls the timing and delivery of fuel into the engine.

• A. Carburetor
• B. Distributor
• C. Spark Plug
• D. Fuel Injector

Answer: (A)

In older cars, the device that meters fuel and mixes it with air as the engine draws in a charge is the carburetor. It uses the throttle to control air flow and, through jets and the venturi, meters the right amount of fuel so the air–fuel mixture is correct for different speeds and loads. This setup times fuel delivery as part of the intake process, long before electronic controls. The distributor, by contrast, handles ignition timing and sending spark to cylinders, not delivering fuel. Spark plugs ignite the mixture, and fuel injectors are found in newer engines, delivering fuel directly into the intake or cylinders with electronic control. So the carburetor best fits the description.