AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION. 1

Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING. 1

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.

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.

Fig1.1: The drive-train.

AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION. 1

Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING. 2

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.

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.

Fig 1.3: Four-bar twist beam

axle by Renault, with 2

torsion bar springs both for

the left and right axle sides.

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 1.4: Steering and

suspension system.

AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION. 1

Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING. 3

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

2. Drivetrain (transmission, differential,

axle)

3. Suspension

4. Steering

5. Brakes

6. Instrumentation

7. Electrical/electronic

8. Motion control

9. Comfort/convenience

10.Entertainment/communication/navigati

on.

III. NEW WORDS

Look up for the new words

Automobile (n) Rank (n) Truck (n) Driveshafts (n)

Self-propelled vehicle (n) Doubt (n, v) Carriage (n) Differential (n)

Suspension systems (n) Shape (v, n) Rugged (a) Gear (n)

Steering system (n) Classify (v) Mud (n) Axles (n)

Sport-utility vehicles (n) Van (n) Snow (n) So-called (a)

braking system (n) Omnibuses (n) Wheel (n) Springs (n)

For better or worse (exp) Pickup (n) Drive-train (n) shock absorbers (n)

Element (n) Landscape (n) Transmission (n) cushion (n)

Elaborate (a) bumps (n) electrical system (n) headlight (n)

Suburbs (n) bumper (n) occupant (n)

adaptable to (a) Highway (n) Primary (a)

IV. COMPREHENSION QUESTION

Answer these questions:

1. Why do we call automobiles as self-propelled vehicles?

AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION. 1

Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING. 4

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2. What are the key elements of industrial economies?

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3. What are advantages of automobile in our life?

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4. What are disadvantages of automobile in our life?

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5. What are the main functions of the engine?

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6. What are the main functions of Suspension systems?

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7. What are the main functions of wheels and tires?

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8. What are the main functions steering and braking systems?

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9. What are the main functions of electrical system?

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10. What component(s) makes automobiles safer?

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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.(� True �

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)

AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTION. 1

Technical English for AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING. 5

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

c. Cars designed

for driving in

mud or snow.

e. Self-

propelled

vehicle.

g. The system

locates car’s

position.

i. Vehicles

used to carry

cargo

b. Capable of d. The system

transmit engine’s

power to the

wheels

f. The system

controls car’s

direction.

h. Double-

deck bus

j. The system

cools the

engine during

its operation.

No Column A Column B No Column A Column B

1 Automobile 6 Sport-utility vehicles

2 Pickups 7 Omnibus

3 Adaptable to 8 Drivetrain system

4 Steering system 9 Navigation system

5 Suspension system 10 Coolant system