Automobile basics

Chapter 4
Copyright © 2007 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 4-1
Prepared by
Martin Restoule
Algonquin College
AutomotiveAutomotive
Systems andSystems and
PreventativePreventative
MaintenanceMaintenance
44

Chapter 4
ObjectivesObjectives
• Explain the major events that have
influenced the development of the
automobile during the past 35 years.
• Explain the difference between unitized
and body-over-frame vehicles.
• Describe the manufacturing process
used in a modern automobile assembly
plant.
continued…

Chapter 4
ObjectivesObjectives
• List the basic systems that make up an
automobile and name their major
components and functions.
• Explain the importance of preventative
maintenance.
• List at least six examples of services
included in a preventative maintenance
program.

Chapter 4
Types of Vehicle ConstructionTypes of Vehicle Construction
Body-Over-Frame
• The body and all major parts are bolted to the
frame.
• The frame must be strong enough to maintain
correct body and driveline alignment.
• Design is used on many pickups and SUVs.
• Due to weight concerns (average vehicle
weight 2040 kg), most modern cars use
unibody construction.
continued…

Chapter 4
continued…
• Body-Over-Frame
Construction
– A typical truck
frame with sub-
frame components.

Chapter 4
Unitized body (Unibody)
• A unibody has no separate frame.
• It is a stressed hull structure where each body
part provides structural support and strength
to the entire vehicle.
• Tends to be more tightly structured because
the major parts are all welded together.
• Is designed to transmit impact energy
throughout the vehicle.
continued…

Chapter 4
• A Typical
Unibody
Design.
– Typical one
piece body
and frame
assembly
with bolt-on
components.

Chapter 4
Body ShapesBody Shapes
• Sedan
– A vehicle
with front
and back
seats for
four to six
persons
– Can be
either two or
four door
continued…

Chapter 4
• Convertible
– Offers the same seating as a sedan with
the ability to remove or retract the roof.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Sports Car
– Two passenger convertibles are typically
called sports cars.
– These vehicles
usually offer
improved
horsepower
and handling.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Liftback or hatchback
– Features a rear luggage compartment that
is an extension of the passenger area.
– An upwards
opening hatch-
type door allows
access to the
luggage
compartment.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Station wagon
– A station wagon has a roof that extends
straight back allowing for a spacious interior
luggage
compartment.
– Can be a two or
four door model
with seating for
up to nine
passengers.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Pickup
– Offers a separate passenger cab for up to five
passengers (2 or 4 door and extended cab).
– Has an open
cargo box.
– Available in
two and four
wheel drive
models.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Van
– The van body design has a tall roof and an
enclosed large cargo or passenger area.
– Can seat
from 2 to 12
passengers.
– Available in
mini and full-
size models.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Sport utility vehicle
– An SUV can have a range of body styles.
– These are multipurpose on and off road
vehicles.
– Usually four-
wheel-drive.
– The number of
passengers will
depend on size
and model.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Crossover Vehicles
– A new trend in vehicles that are a cross
between a station wagon and an SUV.
– These are usually smaller and more fuel
efficient than
a regular SUV.
– These may be
two, four or all-
wheel- drive

Chapter 4
Basic Engine ComponentsBasic Engine Components
• Cylinder block
– The cylinder block is a large iron or
aluminum casting the houses or holds the
cylinders and most of the major mechanical
engine parts.
– The block also contains
passageways for
coolant and lubricant.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Cylinder head
– The cylinder head mounts on the top of the
cylinder block and forms the top to the
cylinders.
– The head contains
the combustion
chamber, valves
and ports to allow
the entry and exit
of the air/fuel mixture. continued…

Chapter 4
• Pistons, rods, and
crankshaft
– The piston receives
force from the burning
of the air/fuel mixture
in the cylinder.
– This force pushes the
piston and connecting
rod downward which
rotates the crankshaft
generating engine
power.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Valve train
– A series of
components used to
open and close the
intake and exhaust
valves including; the
camshaft, valves,
followers/lifters,
rocker arms and push
rods.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Intake and exhaust manifolds
– Manifolds are ductwork assemblies.
– The intake manifold
delivers the air/fuel
mixture to the
cylinders while the
exhaust manifold
carries exhaust
gases from the
cylinders.

Chapter 4
Engine SystemsEngine Systems
• Lubrication system
– The lubrication
system provides
constant lubrication
to the moving parts
of the engine.
– Engine oil is sent
by the oil pump
through an oil filter
to the many engine
components.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Cooling system
– A water pump is used to circulate coolant
through the system.
– The coolant is
pushed through
water jackets in the
block and head.
– Heat is removed
from the coolant
at the radiator.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Fuel and air system
– The fuel and air system supplies the correct
amount of fuel mixed with the correct amount
of air to the cylinders.
– The system also: stores
fuel, cleans outside air,
delivers fuel to the
engine, atomizes fuel
and adjusts the fuel/air
ratios during operation. continued…

Chapter 4
• Emission control system
– Systems have been developed and added to
engines to reduce the pollutants they emit.
– Some of these systems
are: positive crankcase
ventilation, evaporative
emission control system,
exhaust gas recirculation
system (EGR), catalytic
converter and air
injection system.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Exhaust system
– The exhaust system
is designed to carry
toxic exhaust fumes
away from the
passenger
compartment, to
quiet the exhaust
pulses and burn or
catalyze pollutants.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Ignition system
– The ignition system must generate a spark to
ignite the air/fuel mixture at the correct time.
– The coil transforms battery voltage into a
spike of 30 000 to 100 000 volts to ignite the
mixture.
– Ignition must occur
before the piston
completes its
compression stroke.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Starting and charging
system
– The purpose of the starting
system is to rotate or
crank the engine to allow
the ignition system to fire
and start the engine.
– The charging system is
designed to recharge and
maintain the battery’s
state of charge. continued…

Chapter 4
• Electronic control system
– This system is
comprised of many
electronic and
electromechanical
parts.
– The system monitors
engine operation and
makes adjustments to
make it run efficiently.

Chapter 4
Drivetrain ComponentsDrivetrain Components
• Clutch
– Used with manual
transmissions and
transaxles.
– Mechanically
connects the engine
flywheel to the
transmissions input
shaft.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Transmission
– The driver manually selects the gear in a
manual or standard transmission.
– An automatic transmission does not require
a clutch and
automatically shifts
forward gears.
– Transmissions allow
for several gear ratios
for maximum engine
performance.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Driveline
– Connects the output shaft of the transmission
to the rear axle of a rear wheel drive vehicle
and both front and rear axles of a four-wheel-
drive vehicle.
– A hollow drive shaft
with universal joints
is commonly used
to connect the
transmission to the
drive axle.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Final Drive Assembly
– Changes the direction
of driveline rotation and
provides the final gear
ratio.
– Contains a differential
assembly to allow each
drive wheel to rotate at
different speeds during
cornering. continued…

Chapter 4
• Drive axles
– Transmit power to the wheels.
– In rear wheel drive axles, solid axle shafts
are used.
– Front wheel drive vehicles use axles with
constant velocity joints at each end to allow
the axle to
drive through
angles.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Transaxle
– Combines the
transmission and final
drive assembly in one
unit.
– Transaxles are used in
front wheel vehicles and
are available in both
standard and automatic
models.

Chapter 4
Running Gear ComponentsRunning Gear Components
• Suspension system
– Supports the body, frame,
engine, and drivetrain.
– The suspension system
includes springs, shock
absorbers, MacPherson
struts, torsion bars, anti-
sway bars and links, radius
and strut rods and links.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Steering system
– Allows the driver to control the direction of
the vehicle.
– The steering system includes the steering
wheel, steering gear, steering shaft, and
linkage.
– Rack and pinion
steering gears are
commonly used in
passenger cars.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Brakes
– Allow the vehicle to slow down and stop.
– Brake assemblies located at each wheel
use friction to slow and stop the vehicle.
– Two types of brakes
are used disc brakes
and drum brakes.
– Many vehicles use a
combination of both
types.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Wheels and tires
– Provide vehicle contact to the road.
– Tires are made of different types of rubber
along with other materials
for strength.
– Tire tread designs vary
depending on their
application.
– Wheels are made of metal
and vary in size and design.

Chapter 4
VIN CharactersVIN Characters
• First – Country of origin
• Second – Manufacturer
• Third – Vehicle type or manufacturing
division
• Fourth through eighth – Vehicle features
• Ninth – Check digit
• Tenth – Model year
• Eleventh – Manufacturing plant
• Twelfth through seventeenth – Production
sequence

Chapter 4
Typical PreventativeTypical Preventative
Maintenance ChecksMaintenance Checks
• Engine oil
– Changing the engine oil and filter is the
most recognized
preventative
maintenance item.
– It is critical that the
engine oil be changed
on a regular basis.
– Always use the correct
oil rating and viscosity.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Cooling system
– Check the coolant level in the recovery
tank and add coolant if the
level is low.
– A mixture of antifreeze
and water should be added.
– Inspect all components for
signs of leakage and/or
damage and replace any
cracked or swollen hoses. continued…

Chapter 4
• Drive belts
– Check the condition and tension of all drive
belts on the engine.
– Carefully inspect them for
cracks, oil contamination,
glazing, and tears and
splits.
– Replace all belts that are
damaged in any way.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Battery
– Visually inspect the
battery for damage
and corrosion.
– Corrosion can be
cleaned off with a
mixture of baking
soda and water.
– The battery should
be removed and
cleaned when heavily
corroded.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Transmission fluid
– Automatic transmission fluid is a special
fluid that is dyed red to prevent confusion.
– The fluid level is generally checked with the
vehicle running and in park or neutral.
– Manual transaxles,
transmissions and
drive axles use
specific lubricants.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Power steering fluid
– The power steering fluid level is checked
with the engine off.
– A dipstick is normally
part of the filler cap.
– The fluid level should be
checked when warm.
– Use only the
recommended fluid.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Brake fluid
– The brake fluid level and condition should
be checked at every oil change interval.
– Brake fluid should be
flushed every two
years because it tends
to absorb moisture
– Ensure the diaphragm
under the cap is not
damaged.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Windshield washer fluid
– Visually check the windshield washer fluid
level and add fluid as necessary.
– Do not add straight water
or summer grade fluid in
spring or fall as these
can freeze damaging the
tank and pump and clog
the washer hoses and
nozzles.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Wiper blades
– Wiper blades should be replaced when
they become dull, torn or brittle.
– Failure to replace wiper blades before
they fail can result in
windshield damage.
– When changing the
blades also inspect
the wiper arms and
springs.
continued…

Chapter 4
• Tires
– Tires should be checked for damage (nails,
cuts, bulges and weather checks) and wear
(At least 1.6 mm of tread depth).
– Tire inflation pressure
should be checked
when refueling.
– Follow the inflation
specifications on the
driver’s doorjamb decal.

Chapter 4
SummarySummary
• Dramatic changes to the automobile
have occurred over the last 40 years.
• Unibodies offer better occupant
protection than body-on-frame designs.
• Many systems on today’s vehicles are
controlled by computers.

Chapter 4
SummarySummary
• All automobile engines used today are
classified as internal combustion.
• The cooling system maintains proper
engine temperatures.
• The lubrications system distributes
motor oil throughout the engine.

Chapter 4
SummarySummary
• The fuel system is responsible for fuel
storage and delivery.
• The electrical system of an
automobile includes the ignition,
starting, charging, and lighting
systems.

Automobile basics

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