Automobiles (pronounced ‘air-tune’) are vehicles that have wheels and an engine to drive them. They are faster than walking or riding a bicycle when going long distances, and they can carry more than one person and large amounts of luggage.
There are many types of automobiles, ranging from sports cars to minivans and vans. Some of them have 4-wheel drive, which makes them particularly good at reaching places that public transport cannot reach, like mountains or deserts.
The most important parts of an automobile are the engine, transmission system, control systems and auxiliaries. These parts are used to move the vehicle and to provide comfort for the passengers.
Engine
An automobile has an internal combustion engine that uses a fuel such as gasoline, diesel or kerosene to turn the wheels. The engine can also be powered by electricity. Electric automobiles have regenerative brakes, which stop the vehicle by turning the energy in its movement back into electricity, rather than using friction.
Transmission
The transmission system of an automobile has a clutch, gearbox and propeller shaft. The clutch is a device that engages and disengages the driving and driven shafts, depending on the speed of the driving shaft. The gearbox has a number of different gear ratios that allow the engine to adjust its speed and torque.
Auxiliaries
The auxiliary system of an automobile includes the brakes, steering and suspension systems. These systems help to give the automobile more safety, as they are capable of preventing collisions with other cars and obstacles. They also make the vehicle compact and light.