A hardtop is similar to the sedan, but it has no “B”
pillars. Hardtop vehicles are also available in both two-
and four-door models.
A convertible has a vinyl or cloth top that can be
raised and lowered. A convertible has no door pillars,
and its strength is designed into the frame or floor pan.
Although most convertibles are two-door models,
Figure 1-4B, a few four-door convertibles have been
produced.
A hatchback, or liftback, has a large rear door for
easy access when hauling items. This style car is avail-
able in three- and five-door models, Figure 1-4C.
A station wagon has a long, straight roof that extends
to the rear of the vehicle. Station wagons have large rear
interior compartments and come in two- and four-door
models. Some station wagons have space for up to nine
passengers, see Figure 1-4D.
The minivan is similar to the station wagon, but it
has a higher roofline for more headroom and cargo space.
Most minivans are designed to carry seven passengers.
See Figure 1-4E.
Sport-utility vehicles are often equipped with four-
wheel-drive systems and have a tall body design. They
provide the comfort of a passenger car, the interior
space of a station wagon, and the durability of a truck,
Figure 1-4F.
Common names for various automobile body parts
are shown in Figure 1-5. Note that a vehicle’s right and
left sides are denoted as if you were sitting in the car
looking forward.
Engine
The engine provides the energy to propel (move) the
vehicle and operate the other systems. Most engines con-
sume gasoline or diesel fuel. The fuel burns in the engine
to produce heat. This heat causes gas expansion, creating
pressure inside the engine. The pressure moves internal
engine parts to produce power. See Figure 1-6.
The engine is usually located in the front portion of
the body. Placing the heavy engine in this position makes
the vehicle safer in the event of a head-on collision. In a
few vehicles, the engine is mounted in the rear to improve
handling. Refer to Figure 1-7.
Basic Engine Parts
The basic parts of a simplified one-cylinder engine
are shown in Figure 1-8. Refer to this illustration as each
part is introduced.
• The block is metal casting that holds all the other
engine parts in place.
• The cylinder is a round hole bored (machined) in
the block. It guides piston movement.
• The piston is a cylindrical component that trans-
fers the energy of combustion (burning of air-fuel
mixture) to the connecting rod.
• The rings seal the small gap around the sides of
the piston. They keep combustion pressure and oil
from leaking between the piston and the cylinder
wall (cylinder surface).
• The connecting rod links the piston to the
crankshaft.
• The crankshaft changes the reciprocating (up-
and-down) motion of the piston and rod into
useful rotary (spinning) motion.
Chapter 1 The Automobile 5
Figure 1-5. The right and left sides of a vehicle are denoted as
if you were sitting forward inside passenger compartment.
Figure 1-6. An automotive engine commonly burns gasoline or
diesel fuel to produce power. (Ford)
Combustion
Carbon Dioxide
(Carbon)
(Oxygen)
+
Nitrogen
+
Water
(Hydrogen)
(Oxygen)
+
Pollutants
(Hydrocarbons)
(Carbon Monoxide)
(Oxides of Nitrogen)
Gasoline
(Carbon)
(Hydrogen)
+
Air
(Oxygen)
(Nitrogen)
(Argon)
(Carbon Dioxide)
(etc.)
Front bumper
Right front
fender
Hood
Right front
door
Right rear
door
Right rear
quarter
Rear bumper
Left front
door
Left rear
door
Left front
fender
Left rear
quarter
Trunk lid