AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION.

Chapter 1: Automotive Introduction.

I. PRE-READING QUESTION:

1. What are the main functions of automobile nowadays?

2. How automobile can be classified?
3. How many major systems in automobile?
II. READING

Part a: Automobile Introduction

Automobile, self-propelled vehicle used primarily on public roads but adaptable to other
surfaces. Automobiles changed the world during the 20th century. From the growth of
suburbs to the development of elaborate road and highway systems, the so-called horseless
carriage has forever altered the modern landscape. The manufacture, sale, and servicing of
automobiles have become key elements of industrial economies. But along with greater
mobility and job creation, the automobile has brought noise and air pollution, and automobile
accidents rank among the leading causes of death and injury throughout the world. But for
better or worse, the 1900s can be called the Age of the Automobile, and cars will no doubt
continue to shape our culture and economy well into the 21st century.

Automobiles are classified by size, style, number of doors, and intended use. The typical
automobile, also called a car, auto, motorcar, and passenger car, has four wheels and can carry
up to six people, including a driver. Larger vehicles designed to carry more passengers are
called vans, minivans, omnibuses, or buses. Those used to carry cargo are called pickups or
trucks, depending on their size and design. Minivans are van-style vehicles built on a
passenger car frame that can usually carry up to eight passengers. Sport-utility vehicles, also
known as SUVs, are more rugged than passenger cars and are designed for driving in mud or
snow.

The automobile is built

around an engine. Various
systems supply the engine
with fuel, cool it during
operation, lubricate its
moving parts, and remove
exhaust gases it creates. The
engine produces mechanical
power that is transmitted to
the automobile’s wheels
through a drivetrain, which
includes a transmission, one
or more driveshafts, a
differential gear, and axles.

Fig1.1: The drive-train. Suspension systems,

which include springs and
shock absorbers, cushion the ride and help protect the vehicle from being damaged by bumps,
heavy loads, and other stresses.

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Fig 1.2: A multi-link rear axle,

– a type of suspension system
which is progressively
replacing the semi-trailing arm
axle, and consists of at least one
trailing arm on each side.

Fig 1.3: Four-bar twist beam

axle by Renault, with 2
torsion bar springs both for
the left and right axle sides.

Wheels and tires support the vehicle on the roadway and, when rotated by powered
axles, propel the vehicle forward or backward. Steering and braking systems provide control
over direction and speed.

Fig 1.4: Steering and

suspension system.

An electrical system starts and operates the engine, monitors and controls many aspects
of the vehicle’s operation, and powers such components as headlights and radios. Safety
features such as bumpers, air bags, and seat belts help protect occupants in an accident.

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Part b: Automobile Physical Configuration

Fig 1.5: Automobile systems

The automobile configuration is depicted in Figure 1.5, in which many of the important
automotive systems are illustrated. These systems include the following:
1. Engine 6. Instrumentation
2. Drivetrain (transmission, differential, 7. Electrical/electronic
axle) 8. Motion control
3. Suspension 9. Comfort/convenience
4. Steering 10.Entertainment/communication/navigati
5. Brakes on.
III. NEW WORDS

Look up for the new words

Automobile (n) Rank (n) Truck (n) Driveshafts (n)

Self-propelled vehicle (n) Doubt (n, v) Carriage (n) Differential (n)
Suspension systems (n) Shape (v, n) Rugged (a) Gear (n)
Steering system (n) Classify (v) Mud (n) Axles (n)
Sport-utility vehicles (n) Van (n) Snow (n) So-called (a)
braking system (n) Omnibuses (n) Wheel (n) Springs (n)
For better or worse (exp) Pickup (n) Drive-train (n) shock absorbers (n)
Element (n) Landscape (n) Transmission (n) cushion (n)
Elaborate (a) bumps (n) electrical system (n) headlight (n)
Suburbs (n) bumper (n) occupant (n)
adaptable to (a) Highway (n) Primary (a)
IV. COMPREHENSION QUESTION

Answer these questions:

1. Why do we call automobiles as self-propelled vehicles?

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2. What are the key elements of industrial economies?

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3. What are advantages of automobile in our life?

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4. What are disadvantages of automobile in our life?

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5. What are the main functions of the engine?

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6. What are the main functions of Suspension systems?

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7. What are the main functions of wheels and tires?

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8. What are the main functions steering and braking systems?

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9. What are the main functions of electrical system?

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10. What component(s) makes automobiles safer?

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V. TRUE/FALSE

Decide if these statements are True or False:

1. Automobiles can be use primarily on public roads. ( True False)

2. Servicing of automobiles has become key elements of industrial economies.( True
False)
3. Automobile industries create only mobilities and jobs. ( True False)
4. The 21st century can be called the Age of the Automobile. ( True False)
5. Vans are designed to carry people. ( True False)
6. Minivans can carry more than 9 people. ( True False)
7. Sport-utility vehicles are more rugged than passenger cars. ( True False)
8. Sport-utility vehicle can be drived in mud or snow. ( True False)

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9. The engine produces mechanical power. ( True False)

10. Drivetrain consist of a transmission, one or more driveshafts, a differential gear, and axles.
( True False)
11. Suspension systems includes springs and shock absorbers and cushion. ( True False)
12. Wheels and tires are rotated by powered axles. ( True False)
13. Steering and braking systems provide control over direction and speed. ( True False)
14. Electrical system only starts and operates the engine. ( True False)
15. Bumpers, air bags, and seat belts are safety features of automobile. ( True False)

VI. WORD(S) SELECTIONS

Select ONE word(s) in the below box and fill in the gap in column B with its meaning word in
column A

a. The system c. Cars designed e. Self- g. The system i. Vehicles

protects vehicles for driving in propelled locates car’s used to carry
from bumps, loads, mud or snow. vehicle. position. cargo
and stresses
b. Capable of d. The system f. The system h. Double- j. The system
transmit engine’s controls car’s deck bus cools the
power to the direction. engine during
wheels its operation.

No Column A Column B No Column A Column B

1 Automobile 6 Sport-utility vehicles
2 Pickups 7 Omnibus
3 Adaptable to 8 Drivetrain system
4 Steering system 9 Navigation system
5 Suspension system 10 Coolant system

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