What Are the Different Parts of an Automobile?
Everyone who drives an automobile needs to be transported from place to place comfortably and reliably, but how many people really know how their vehicles work? Modern cars comprise a multitude of complex subsystems that work together to provide efficient and reliable transportation.
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Engine
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The engine is the heart of an automobile. It takes air from the intake tract and fuel from the carburetor or fuel injectors and compresses it inside the cylinder. Then the spark plugs fire, igniting the air/fuel mixture and forcing the piston down in the cylinder, which turns the crankshaft. Automotive engines can run on a wide variety of fuels including gasoline, diesel fuel and ethanol. Newer electric and hybrid electric can even run on battery power
Transmission
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The transmission takes the power generated by the engine at the crankshaft and relays it to the drive axle. Transmissions come in either manual or automatic models. A manual transmission is one in which the driver selects gears through the use of a shift lever and clutch pedal in the passenger compartment. An automatic transmission has the capability to shift through forward gears by itself, and the driver only needs to select between drive (forward) and reverse.
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Drive Axle
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The drive axle takes the power from the transmission and channels it to the tires, which in turn propel the vehicle. Automobiles can be front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. In front-wheel-drive vehicles, the transmission and drive axle are incorporated into a single unit known as the transaxle. In rear-wheel-drive vehicles the transmission is connected to the drive axle via a driveshaft. Four-wheel-drive vehicles use a transfer case to split the power and send it via driveshafts to both the front and rear axles.
Brakes
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Automotive braking systems use the power of hydraulic fluid to transfer the force the driver applies to the brake pedal to a clamping force that slows the vehicle. The brake pedal is attached to a master cylinder that pumps brake fluid through steel and rubber lines to each wheel. Modern master cylinders incorporate a dual reservoir design. That way if one of the brake lines is damaged or cut, the other brakes will continue to function. At each wheel, the caliper forces brake pads to clamp down on the rotor, a large steel disc that is attached to the wheel. This causes the vehicle to slow down.
Steering and Suspension
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The steering and suspension systems work together to not only allow the driver to choose which direction to travel, but also to cushion the driver and passengers over uneven road surfaces. Vehicles are held up by large springs that usually sit between the frame and the axles or control arms. Shock absorbers work in conjunction with the springs and dampen the rebound so the vehicle doesn't bounce up and down after driving over an object. The steering rack takes directional input from the steering wheel and moves the wheels left to right. The power steering pump aids the driver by lessening the amount of effort it takes to turn the steering wheel.
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References
- "Chilton Dodge Durango & Dakota: 2001 Through 2003 Repair Manual," Jay Storer, 2005
- "Haynes VW Golf & Jetta: 1993 Through 1998 Repair Manual," George Parise, Mark Coombs, Spencer Drayton and John H. Haynes; 2006
- "Haynes Ford Full-Size Vans: 1969 Through 1991 Repair Manual," Curt Choate and John H. Haynes, 1992
Resources
- Photo Credit dave_7, creativecommons.org
