What is the device that controls the ratio of the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders called?

The device that controls the ratio of the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders is known as mixture control. This component plays a crucial role in ensuring that the engine receives the correct amount of fuel relative to the amount of air entering the cylinders. The precise mixture is vital for optimal combustion, efficiency, and performance of the engine.

Mixture control systems adjust the fuel delivery based on various factors, such as engine speed, load, and temperature, ensuring that the air-fuel mixture remains at an ideal ratio for different operating conditions. By maintaining this balance, the mixture control device helps to improve engine performance while reducing emissions and preventing issues such as knocking or misfiring.

In contrast, fuel injectors are responsible for delivering the fuel into the engine but do not control the air-fuel mixture ratio. The throttle body regulates the airflow into the engine and, while it indirectly affects the mixture by controlling air intake, it does not directly manipulate the fuel delivery. An air filter is essential for preventing contaminants from entering the engine but does not play a role in controlling the fuel-air mix itself. Thus, mixture control is the specific term that describes the system aimed at achieving the desired air-fuel ratio.