READING Part a: Automobile Introduction Automobile, self-propelled vehicle used primarily on public roads but adaptable to other surfaces3. The typical automobile, also called a car, a
Trang 1Chapter 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
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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
Trang 3Part 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
Self-propelled vehicle (n) Doubt (n, v) Carriage (n) Differential (n) Suspension systems (n) Shape (v, n) Rugged (a) Gear (n)
Sport-utility vehicles (n) Van (n) Snow (n) So-called (a)
For better or worse (exp) Pickup (n) Drive-train (n) shock absorbers (n)
Elaborate (a) bumps (n) electrical system (n) headlight (n)
IV. COMPREHENSION QUESTION
Answer these questions:
1. Why do we call automobiles as self-propelled vehicles?
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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)
Trang 59 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
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
engine during its operation
No Column A Column B No Column A Column B