c

Automobile Systems
Automobiles are powered and controlled by a complicated interrelationship between several systems. This
diagram shows the parts of a car with a gas engine and manual transmission (the air filter and carburetor
have been removed to show the parts beneath but usually appear in the space above the intake
manifold). The major systems of the automobile are the power plant, the power train, the running gear,
and the control system. Each of these major categories include a number of subsystems, as shown here.
The power plant includes the engine, fuel, electrical, exhaust, lubrication, and coolant systems. The power
train includes the transmission and drive systems, including the clutch, differential, and drive shaft.
Suspension, stabilizers, wheels, and tires are all part of the running gear, or support system. Steering and
brake systems are the major components of the control system, by which the driver directs the car.
© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.cc
 c
Ggnition System
The ignition system delivers voltage to ignite the fuel in the automotive vehicle. When the ignition switch
is turned on, low-voltage electric current flows from the battery to the coil, which converts the current to
high-voltage. The current then flows to the distributor, which delivers it to each of the spark plugs. The
spark plugs send an igniting spark to the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chambers.
© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

c
Automatic Transmission System
The automatic transmission is one of the key components of an automobile. Located just behind the
engine, the transmission changes the speed and power ratios between the engine and the driving wheels
of a vehicle.cc
c

c
  c

c
c
 c c

c
cccc
c
c c
cc
cc
c
c
cc
c
c
cc 
c c

c cc c
cc c c
cc  c
ccc c
c
c c

c
c
  c c
cc c c
c

c c
c
c
cc



c c
c
  cc

ccc

c
c
c
c


c c
c
c
c
c
ccc c c
c
c
c c
c
c
c



cc
c
c
c c
c
cc
c
c
  c 
c

c
c
 cc
c
c
c
cc
c cc 
c
c  c
 c
cc c
c
  c

Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights

reserved.c

© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
c

c
ÿuel-Gnjection System
The fuel-injection system replaces the carburetor in most new vehicles to provide a more efficient fuel
delivery system. Electronic sensors respond to varying engine speeds and driving conditions by changing
the ratio of fuel to air. The sensors send a fine mist of fuel from the fuel supply through a fuel-injection
nozzle into a combustion chamber, where it is mixed with air. The mixture of fuel and air triggers ignition.
© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
 c
ifferential
The gears of a differential allow a car's powered wheels to rotate at different speeds as the car turns
around corners. The car's drive shaft rotates the crown wheel, which in turn rotates the half shafts leading
to the wheels. When the car is traveling straight ahead, the planet pinions do not spin, so the crown wheel
rotates both wheels at the same rate. When the car turns a corner, however, the planet pinions spin in
opposite directions, allowing one wheel to slip behind and forcing the other wheel to turn faster.
© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

c
isc and rum Brakes
isc and drum brakes create friction to slow the wheels of a motor vehicle. When a driver presses on the
brake pedal of a vehicle, brake lines filled with fluid transmit the force to the brakes. Gn a disc brake, the
fluid pushes the brake pads in the caliper against the rotor, slowing the wheel. Gn a drum brake, the fluid
pushes small pistons in the brake cylinder against the hinged brake shoes. The shoes pivot outward and
press against a drum attached to the wheel to slow the wheel.
© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

c
Energy of a Pendulum
A moving pendulum changes potential energy into kinetic energy and back again. When the bob (weight
on the end of string) is first released, it has potential energy due to its height, but no kinetic energy since
it is not yet moving. As the bob accelerates downward, potential energy is traded for kinetic. At the
bottom of its swing, the bob has no potential energy since it cannot fall any further. The bob is moving
quickly at this point since all of its former potential energy has been transformed into kinetic energy.
© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

c
Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is a reaction chamber installed in automobile exhaust systems that changes harmful
exhaust gases into carbon dioxide and water.
E.R. egginger/Bruce Coleman, Gnc.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
 c
Speedometer and Odometer
ials and gauges on the automobile dashboard provide crucial information to the driver. The speedometer
displays the speed at which the vehicle is moving, measuring either the rotation rate of a drum connected
to the car's transmission or the frequency of electrical pulses that vary according to the car's speed. The
odometer shows the total number of miles the car has traveled and is useful for tracking wear and
scheduling vehicle maintenance.
William Johnson/Stock, Boston/PNG
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

c
Coil Spring Rear Suspension
The rear suspension system supports the weight in the rear of the vehicle. When the vehicle passes over
bumps or dips in the road, the coil spring expands and contracts in response, softening the impact to the
vehicle body. The shock absorber cushions the bouncing of the spring to maintain a smooth ride. The
crossmember provides additional lateral support to the suspension system.
© Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
c