After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
Identify and locate the most important parts of a
vehicle.
Describe the purpose of the fundamental auto-
motive systems.
Explain the interaction of automotive systems.
Describe major automobile design variations.
Comprehend later text chapters with a minimum
amount of difficulty.
Correctly answer ASE certification test questions
that require a knowledge of the major parts and
systems of a vehicle.
The term automobile is derived from the Greek word
autos, which means self, and the French word mobile,
which means moving. Today’s “self-moving” vehicles
are engineering marvels of safety and dependability.
Over the last century, engineers and skilled workers the
world over have used all facets of technology (the appli-
cation of math, science, physics, and other subjects) to
steadily give us a better means of transportation.
You are about to begin your study of the design, con-
struction, service, maintenance, and repair of the modern
automobile. This chapter provides a “quick look” at the
major automotive systems. By knowing a little about
each of these systems, you will be better prepared to learn
the more detailed information presented later in this text.
Today, failure of one system can affect the operation
of a seemingly unrelated system. This makes a thorough
understanding of how the whole automobile works espe-
cially important.
Tech Tip!
Try to learn something new about automotive
technology every day. In addition to studying
this book and doing the hands-on activities, read
automotive magazines, “surf” the Internet, and
watch “motor-sport” television programs. This
will help you become a better technician by
increasing your knowledge daily.
Parts, Assemblies, and Systems
A part is the smallest removable item on a car. A part
is not normally disassembled. The word component is
frequently used when referring to an electrical or elec-
tronic part. For example, a spark plug is an ignition
system component that ignites the fuel in the engine.
An assembly is a set of fitted parts designed to com-
plete a function. For example, the engine is an assembly
that converts fuel into useable power to move the vehicle.
Technicians must sometimes take assemblies apart and
put them back together during maintenance, service, and
repair operations. See Figure 1-1.
An automotive system is a group of related parts and
assemblies that performs a specific function (job or task).
1
1
The Automobile
Assembly
Part
Figure 1-1. An assembly is a group of parts that work together
to perform a function. For example, an engine is an assembly
that contains pistons, which convert the fuel’s heat energy into
useable kinetic energy (motion). As you will learn, an engine
has many other parts. (Saturn)
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