The Automobile
Frame
strong steel structure that supports the other components of the car.
Automotive System
A group of related parts that perform a specific function
Accessory Systems
Air conditioning, heating, entertainment systems that increase passenger comfort and convenience.
Steering System
Allows the driver to control vehicle direction
Clutch
Allows the driver to engage or disengage the engine and transmission.
Diesel Injection
An electronic system that forces diesel oil directly into the combustion chamber
Multi-Cylinder Engine
An engine that contains 4, 6, 8 and even 10 cylinders.
Body and Chassis System
Body, frame, suspension, steering, braking which support, stop and enclose the parts of the car
Unitized Body
Cars that use the internal body structure as a frame.
Powertrain Systems
Clutch, transmission, driveshaft and rear axle assembly or transaxle and axle shafts that use engine power to propel the car.
Rear Axle
Contains a differential and two axles
Transaxle
Contains a transmission and differential in one case.
Emission Control Systems
Crankcase ventilation, catalytic converter, fuel vapor storage, air injection for reducing air pollution produced by the car.
Automatic Transmission
Does not have to be shifted by hand
Engine Systems
Engine mechanical, fuel, cooling, lubrication systems to provide power for the car.
The Chasiss
Generally includes everything but the car body
Starting System
Has an electric motor that rotates the engine crankshaft until the engine starts and runs on its own power.
Electrical systems
Ignition, charging, starting, lighting and computer systems that operate the electrical devices in the car.
Suspension System
Lets the cars wheels move up and down with little or no body movement. Prevents the car from leaning excessively in turns.
Manual Transmission
Lets the driver change gear ratios and engine torque going to the drive wheels
Cooling System
Maintains a constant Engine operating temperature.
Ignition System
Needed on gasoline engines to ignite the air-fuel mixture.
Charging System
Needed to replace electrical energy drawn from the battery during starting system operation.
Brake System
Produces friction to reduce or stop the car
Fuel System
Provides the correct mixture of air and fuel for efficient engine operation.
Engine
Provides the energy to propel the car and operate other systems.
Exhaust System
Quiets engine operation and routes exhaust gases to the rear of the car.
Lubrication System
Reduces friction and wear between internal engine parts.
The Car Body
Serves as an attractive covering for the chassis
Four Stroke Cycle
The four cycles in which the air-fuel mixture is brought into the cylinder, compressed, burned and removed
Intake Stroke
The piston travels down in the cylinder. The intake valve opens allowing the air-fuel mixture into the cylinder.
Compression Stroke
The piston travels up in the cylinder Both the intake and exhaust valves are closed The air-fuel mixture is compressed
Exhaust Stroke
The piston travels upward in the cylinder The air-fuel mixture is pushed out of the cylinder through the exhaust valve The intake valve is closed
Power Stroke
The spark plug ignites the air fuel mixture The piston is forced down in the cylinder Both intake and exhaust valves are closed
Drive Shaft
Transfers power from the transmission to the rear axle assembly.
Power Train
Transfers turning force from the engine crankshaft to the car's drive wheels.
Gasoline Injection
Uses computer engine sensors and electronically operated injectors to meter fuel into the engine
Computer System
Uses electronic and electrical devices to help efficiency.
Carburetor Fuel System
Uses engine vacuum to draw fuel into the engine