Final answer:
Peak torque is found at a lower engine speed compared to peak horsepower, and it is significant for a vehicle's acceleration rather than indicating the speed at which you should always operate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peak torque is found at a lower engine speed than peak horsepower. Torque is the twisting force that an engine generates, and it is related to the engine's capacity to do work, especially when it comes to acceleration. Peak torque is typically reached before peak horsepower during the engine’s power band, which means it occurs at lower RPMs (revolutions per minute). In most vehicles, you will find that peak torque comes into play during lower engine speeds, whereas peak horsepower is achieved at higher engine speeds. In terms of how you should operate your vehicle, peak torque isn't necessarily the level at which you should be operating at all times; instead, it indicates the engine speed at which the maximum torque is available.