1 AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION Chapter 1: Automotive Introduction I PRE-READING QUESTION: What are the main functions of automobile nowadays? How automobile can be classified? 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 Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING 1 AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION 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 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 Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION 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: Engine Instrumentation Drivetrain (transmission, differential, Electrical/electronic axle) Motion control Suspension Comfort/convenience Steering 10.Entertainment/communication/navigati Brakes on III NEW WORDS Look up for the new words Automobile (n) Rank (n) Self-propelled vehicle (n) Doubt (n, v) Suspension systems (n) Shape (v, n) Steering system (n) Classify (v) Sport-utility vehicles (n) Van (n) braking system (n) Omnibuses (n) For better or worse (exp) Pickup (n) Element (n) Landscape (n) Elaborate (a) bumps (n) Suburbs (n) adaptable to (a) Truck (n) Carriage (n) Rugged (a) Mud (n) Snow (n) Wheel (n) Drive-train (n) Transmission (n) electrical system (n) bumper (n) Highway (n) Driveshafts (n) Differential (n) Gear (n) Axles (n) So-called (a) Springs (n) shock absorbers (n) cushion (n) headlight (n) occupant (n) Primary (a) IV COMPREHENSION QUESTION Answer these questions: Why we call automobiles as self-propelled vehicles? Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION What are the key elements of industrial economies? What are advantages of automobile in our life? What are disadvantages of automobile in our life? What are the main functions of the engine? What are the main functions of Suspension systems? What are the main functions of wheels and tires? What are the main functions steering and braking systems? What are the main functions of electrical system? 10 What component(s) makes automobiles safer? V TRUE/FALSE Decide if these statements are True or False: Automobiles can be use primarily on public roads ( True False) Servicing of automobiles has become key elements of industrial economies.( False) Automobile industries create only mobilities and jobs ( True False) The 21st century can be called the Age of the Automobile ( True False) Vans are designed to carry people ( True False) Minivans can carry more than people ( True False) Sport-utility vehicles are more rugged than passenger cars ( True False) Sport-utility vehicle can be drived in mud or snow ( True False) Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING True AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION 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 protects vehicles from bumps, loads, and stresses b Capable of c Cars designed e Self- g The system i Vehicles for driving in propelled locates car’s used to carry mud or snow vehicle position cargo d The system f The system transmit engine’s controls car’s power to the direction wheels No Column A Automobile Pickups Adaptable to Steering system Suspension system Column B No 10 h Double- j The system deck bus cools the engine during its operation Column A Sport-utility vehicles Omnibus Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING Column B Drivetrain system Navigation system Coolant system