Automobiles are vehicles used for transporting people and cargo. They are powered by internal combustion engines that use gasoline as fuel. They have become one of the most important inventions in modern times.
The automobile allows people to travel great distances in relative comfort and safety. This has made it possible for people to find jobs in locations that are not close to their homes, and it has opened up new opportunities for social activities such as recreation and shopping. It has also led to a number of new businesses such as hotels, motels, restaurants and amusement parks. In addition, it has spawned government requirements and laws governing driving, vehicle safety, and road construction and maintenance. It has also caused some harm to the environment through exhaust from gas-burning cars and the destruction of undeveloped land to build highways.
An automotive engineer is a person who designs and tests an automobile or its components. He or she may work on a single car, or he or she may be responsible for a whole line of models. Automobile engineers must be familiar with a wide range of technical issues and regulations, including those dealing with safety and emissions control. They must also be familiar with the latest developments in automobile technology and design.
During the early 20th century, the automobile revolutionized the world. It allowed people to travel long distances for work and leisure. This increased economic opportunity and created a middle class in America. It also created a number of new services, such as roads and highways, gas stations and automobile manufacturers. The automobile was a major force in the development of cities and towns, including Charlotte, North Carolina.
The professional association that sets most transportation-industry engineering standards. The SAE is a nonprofit membership organization with more than 80,000 members. The organization’s standards are widely adopted in the United States and internationally.
A system of flexible springs, a coil spring and a shock absorber that provide suspension for an automobile. The system allows the car to respond to different types of loads and road conditions by varying the amount of resistance to movement. It also reduces noise and vibrations transmitted to the passenger compartment and body.
The maximum recommended engine speed. It is indicated on the tachometer, an instrument that shows the engine’s rate of rotation per minute (rpm). Most tachometers have two lines: the lower one indicating a safe minimum sustained speed, and the upper, red line indicating the maximum allowable rpm.
An automobile is a four-wheeled motor vehicle designed primarily for transportation of people and their luggage. It is usually propelled by an internal combustion engine that uses a volatile fuel such as gasoline. Other common sources of power include electricity, natural gas, or liquid petroleum hydrocarbons. Electric cars have been produced, but they are usually not commercially viable because of their limited range and the need for special recharging facilities. Steam-powered automobiles were once popular, but they lacked the speed and convenience of gasoline-powered vehicles.
