What is the primary function of a carburetor?

The primary function of a carburetor is to mix air and fuel in the correct proportion for combustion. In an internal combustion engine, the carburetor plays a critical role in ensuring the engine runs efficiently. It does this by drawing in air and combining it with fuel, resulting in a mixture that can ignite and generate the power needed to operate the engine.

This mixing process is crucial because different engine speeds and loads require different air-fuel mixtures for optimal performance. A well-adjusted carburetor will provide the right mixture throughout the engine's operating range, contributing to better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

Understanding this function underscores the importance of maintaining a properly functioning carburetor, as a suboptimal mixture can lead to poor engine performance, increased fuel consumption, and higher emissions. This focus on the air-fuel mixture is what distinguishes the function of the carburetor from the other options listed.