Technical english for automotive engineering chapter 1 automotive introduction

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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.

Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING.

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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 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.

Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING.

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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:
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)
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:
1. Why do we call automobiles as self-propelled vehicles?
Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING.

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AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION.

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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. What are the key elements of industrial economies?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. What are advantages of automobile in our life?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. What are disadvantages of automobile in our life?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. What are the main functions of the engine?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. What are the main functions of Suspension systems?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7. What are the main functions of wheels and tires?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8. What are the main functions steering and braking systems?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9. 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:
1. Automobiles can be use primarily on public roads. ( True False)
2. Servicing of automobiles has become key elements of industrial economies.(
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)

Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING.

True

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AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION.

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
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
1
Automobile
2
Pickups
3
Adaptable to

4
Steering system
5 Suspension system

Column B

No
6
7
8
9
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

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