AT7 Chapter 1

Study Notes

The automobile has been around for centuries and has evolved greatly over that time.
The major systems common to most vehicles include an engine, transmission, brakes, and tires.
The braking system includes the brake pedal, master cylinder, and wheel brakes.
Wheels and tires are essential for a vehicle to function properly.
The chassis system of a vehicle includes the frame or body of the vehicle, which is used to provide the suspension and steering components as well as the powertrain.
The suspension system of the vehicle helps the tires remain on the road even when the vehicle is traveling over rough roads. The suspension system includes springs and control arms that allow the wheel to move up and down and keep the tires on the road.
Chassis systems of vehicles evolved from horse-drawn carriages. The engine and power train were attached to a modified carriage leading to the term “horseless carriage.”
Chassis systems became more common in the 1930s, when all-steel-enclosed bodies became the most used type. All bodies depended on a frame of wood or steel to support the chassis components.
The terms “A pillar,” “B pillar,” “C pillar,” and “D pillar” are used to describe the location of the roof support pillars in a vehicle.
Many expensive automakers in the 1920s and 1930s had bodies built by another company. Eventually, most bodies were constructed of steel and many without the need for a frame to support the drivetrain and suspension.
Inline engines are those with four or six cylinders arranged inline.
The placement of the camshaft in an OHV engine results in better flow of intake air into and exhaust out of the engine.
Space-frame construction consists of formed sheet steel used to construct a framework of the entire vehicle.
The monroney label is the sticker on the vehicle that indicates the vehicle's compliance with federal safety standards.
The engine requires a cooling system to prevent it from overheating.
All engines currently in production are liquid cooled.
The coolant is circulated through passages in the cylinder block and head.
The coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water to provide corrosion and freezing protection.
After the coolant picks up the heat from the engine, it flows through a radiator.