Automobiles are wheeled motor vehicles that are used for transportation. Most definitions say that cars have four wheels and can seat one to eight people. Regardless of size, they are used mostly for transportation. This article will cover the basics of automobiles and their components, including the design of a car and its engines.
Basic systems
Automobiles are complex machines, with many systems working together to move the vehicle. These systems include the engine, fuel system, exhaust system, lubrication system, electrical system, transmission, and body. Each system has a specific purpose and a function, but each one also depends on the others.
Design
The design of an automobile has several factors that must be balanced. It must satisfy as many needs as possible, but there are some basic systems that all automobiles have.
Engines
Engines in automobiles are a complex system of internal combustion processes. These systems have been around for centuries. They were first used to replace horse power in carriages. However, early internal combustion engines were inefficient and unreliable. They also tended to emit low levels of pollution. This problem began to be addressed in the 1970s with the formation of environmental regulations and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Transmissions
Transmissions in automobiles are the components that move the power generated by the engine to the wheels. The type of transmission used will affect the speed, efficiency, and performance of the car. Both manual and automatic transmissions use planetary gears and interconnected gears to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. Drivers of manual transmission vehicles shift gears using a gear shifter and clutch.
Electric starter motor
The electric starter motor for automobiles is a technological advancement that has revolutionized car-starting mechanisms. Originally, a crank handle had to be used to start the engine, and its operation could be dangerous. This was solved by developing an electric motor, which was either operated by a foot pedal or a button. By 1933, the electric starter motor had been widely accepted and began to replace the crank handle. However, over the years, the electric starter motor has fallen out of use.